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THE 



HISTORY 



Menard « Mason Counties, 



ILLINOIS, 



CONTAINING 



A History of the Counties— their Cities, Towns, &e. ; Portraits of 
Early Settlers and Prominent Men; General Statistics; Map 
of Menard and Mason Counties; History of Illinois, 
Illustrated; History of the Northwest, Illus- 
trated; Constitution of the United States, 
Miscellaneous Matters, &c, &c, &c. 



ILLTJSTBATED. 



CHICAGO: 
0. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, 186 DEARBORN STREET. 

1879. 






PREFACE 



T N presenting oar 11 Menard and Mason Counties, ire deem I few prefatory 

W< have spared neither pains nor expense to fulfill our engagement 

with our i od make the work as complete as possible. We have acted upon the 

principle that justice to those wl << have subscribed, be they !<•« or many, requires that 

the work should be aa well <1< m<* as if it was patronised by every citiien in the oounty. 

lo n"i claim tliat our work i- entirely i'rt-f from errors; Bach a result could not be 
attained by tin- atn ad foresight of ordinary mortals. The General Historj of 

M ■ I mpfled by Rev, R. I>. Miller, of Petersburg, and the General 

ry of Mason County bj Gen .1 M I f Havana, and the Townships of 

Mason t 3al< Creek by J C Warnock, and the balanoe of the Townships bj 

our historians, W. II Perrin and D. M. Blair. Some of the Township Histories are 
indeed longei than others, as the townships are older, containing larger oitiea and towns, 
.md have been tin- scenes of mare important and int.rc-.tinL: events. While fully 

nixing thu important difference, the bistorisna have Bought to write op each 

ihip witli equal fidelity to the facta and information within their reach. We 
take tin- bo present our thanks to all our numerous subscribers tor their 

patro ment in the publication of the work. In this confident belief, 

\\. submit it in the enlightened judgment of those for whose benefit it has been 
prepared, believing that it will be reoeived as a most valuable and complete work. 

THE PUBLISH! 



OOT.TE1 

111 tmt !•> K~r- <».i 



/ 



J 



?$ 



CONTENTS 



HISTORICAL. 



Page. 

History Northwest Territory 19 

Geographical 19 

Early Exploration 20 

Discovery of the Ohio 32 

English Explorations and Settle- 
ments 34 

American Settlements 59 

Division of the Northwest Terri- 
tory 65 

Tecumseh and the war of 1812 7!> 



Page. 
Black Hawk and the Black Hawk 
War 73 

Present Condition of the North- 
west 7!) 

History of Illinois 88 

Coal Ki3 

Compact of 1787 95 

History of Chicago 110 

Early Discoveries 88 

Early Settlements !I4 



Page. 

Education 107 

First French Occupation 91 

Genius of La Salle 92 

Material Resources 102 

Massacre ot Fort Dearborn 117 

Physical Features 99 

Progress of Development 101 

Religion and Morals 106 

War Record ot Illinois 108 



ILLFM IK ATIOXS. 



Page. 

Source of the Mississippi 22 

Mouth of the Mississippi 31 

La Salle Landing on the Shore of 

Green Bay 24 

Buffalo Hunt 26 

Trapping 28 

Pontine, tlic Ottawa Chieftain 42 

Indians Attacking Frontiersmen... 55 
A Pioneer Dwelling 60 



Lake Bluff 62 

Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chieftain... 08 

Indians Attacking a Stockade 71 

Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain 74 

Kinzie House 87 

Lincoln Monument, Springfield, 111. 80 

A Pioneer School House 81 

High Bridge and Lake Bluff 33 



Page. 
Hunting Prairie Wolves at an 

Early Day 85 

Starved Rock, on the Illinois River, 

, La Salle County, 111 89 

Chicago in 1833 88 

Old FortDearbron in 1830 79 

Present site of Lake Street Bridge, 

Chicago, in 1833 .58 

Shabbona 121 



MKXARI) COFXTY HISTORY. 



Page. 
Genera] History of Menard County. .189 

Annus Precinct 328 

Greenview Precincl 34 I 



Page. 

Indian Creek Precinct 366 

Petersburg " 282 

Rock Creek " 383 



Page. 

Sugar Crove Precinct 3.">6 

Samlridge " 375 

Tallula " 3lt; 



MASON iOlXTY HISTORY. 



P V.I 

General History of Mason County 391 

Allen's Grove Township 603 

Bath " 564 

Orane Creek " 660 

Forest City 645 



Page. 

Havana Township 501 

Kilbourne " 614 

Lynchburg " 652 [ 

Mason I 'it\ ,; 536 

Manito " 587 



Page- 

Pennsylvania Township 

Oniver " 634 

Salt Creek " 

Sherman " 670 



I ITIHM.ir \ E'll M PORTRAITS. 



Page. 

Abbott, J. B 565 

Dieffenlmrher, Daniel 

Greene, W. G 269 

Greene, Mrs. W. Q 296 

Greene, Mi" Kate V 



Page. ■ 

Honchln, Jackson 601 

Krebanm, A 457 | 

Lincoln, Abniham 187 

Lacey, Lyman 421 

Powell, David 



Page 

.1. M 30o 

Spears .r. Q 307 

Smith, M. A 637 

Tic. John 223 



ItlOt.l! V1IIK \l, SKM4 III S OF 111 \ \ltl> (OIXTV 



Page. Page. 

Athens Precinct 719 Petersburg Precinct 687 

Qreenview Precincl 727 Rock Creek Precinct 749 

Indian Creek Precincl 742 Sugar Grove Precinct 



Pass. 
Sandridge Precinct 747 

Tallula Precinct 707 






iiio«.|{ \iii i< v i SKETCHES in M iso\ ( 01 > n 



Kill rn- Township 

Lynchburg Township 

ii' 

Township rnahtp 

Haraim T..« n-liip 



BatliT..»n«lii|. 

• k Township 166 



Pam 

I'.iniHvlvKiiiii Townshl] 

Quiver Township -i • 

Township MS 





uisiiai i or iiiim»i> si vii LAWS. 



Page. 

> ..f Children ISS 

Bill- ..f Exchange end Pron 

US 

<«unit\ OoOJti 

13»> 

< "inir.ii Organisations 

128 

li' 

i 136 

! in. in Trespass Itt 

; tnmen ml Tei 

Kxemptioni from font 4 8s 

m 

i in 

forms: 

Articles "f Agreement i IB 

Hill- ..f Purchase HI 

Bills of Bala 

H..II.U 



Paok. 

Chal - 147 

il 

farm and Build- 

140 

I'n 

Landlord 160 

ill 

.it !■■ guit 161 

r* in 

n Deed 161 

144 

l'.t\ in 161 

1 ." 164 

Tenant*! Agreement 160 

l I ■ -i\ iii|f lM 

169 

Will 166 



Paof.. 

■inn ■■ 13(1 

IS : 

Jortsdli lion "f i '• mrt.t 126 

Limitation of Action 127 

Landlord arid Tenant 139 

141 

127 

Killers _ 181 

Mink- .nd Brands 131 

ISO 

Roads and Bridges ISS 

- 132 

Suggest! - Purchasing 

Books i v - i 160 

I ' 138 

Wills and Estates 124 

ind Measures ISO 

dps 13* 



MISI I 1.1. \N lot S. 



Paob. 

Mh|. of M m ami ' '■ .1111- 



Oonstitotloo ••! 100 

i i President and Vloe Plan 

Ideal 

P ivUse.173 

: urn. nt Land kteasnre.»17fl 
Agriciiltnnil Pi if 1111- 

180 

M 177 



Paoe 

Bon ' '.t- 177 

Interest Tabls 178 

■ ■ 

Popnl 
Popolati 

of |ha I • 
Ponolatl ' t tii'- liiiti-.! 

181 



Paoe. 
Popalatloa of ths Principal Ooaov 

i i-i 

.11. .n ol Dlinois I -. 

. : i ii t^ t.. Limit 

■ •i \. bom 

Population of M.-n if.l uml Mason 



Bnsinsat Director; 

Errata 




The Northwest Territory. 



GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION. 

When the Northwestern Territory was ceded to the United States 
by Virginia in 1784, it embraced only the territory lying between the 
Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and north to the northern limits of the 
United States. It coincided with the area now embraced in the States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and that portion of 
Minnesota lying on the east side of the Mississippi River. The United 
States itself at that period extended no farther west than the Mississippi 
River ; but by the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the western boundary 
of the United States was extended to the Rocky Mountains and the 
Northern Pacific Ocean. The new territory thus added to the National 
domain, and subsequently opened to settlement, has been called the 
" New Northwest," in contradistinction from the old " Northwestern 
Territory. " 

In comparison with the old Northwest this is a territory of vast 
magnitude. It includes an area of 1,887,850 square miles ; being greater 
in extent than the united areas of all the Middle and Southern States, 
including Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been erected 
eleven sovereign States and eight Territories, with an aggregate popula- 
tion, at the present time, of lo, 000, 000 inhabitants, or nearly one third of 
the entire population of the United States. 

lis lakes are fresh-water seas, and the larger rivers of the continent 
flow for a thousand miles through its rich alluvial valleys and far- 
stretching prairies, more acres of which are arable and productive of the 
highest percentage of the cereals than of any other area of like extent 
on the globe. 

For the last twenty years the increase of population in the North- 
west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United 
States. 

(19) 



THi; ROB CHWES1 I BSBJ i"l:Y. 



EARLY EXPLORATK >NS. 

In the H, DeSoto Oral Mm in the New 

rid. He, however, penetrated no farther aorth than the 35th parallel 

of latitude. The expedition resulted in his death and thai of more than 

half his army, the remainder of whom found their way to Cuba, thence 

Spain, in a famished and demoralized condition. DeSoto founded no 

. produced no results, and left no traces, unless it were that 

iwakened tin- hostility of the red man against tin- white man, and 

disheartened Buch as might desire to follow up the career of discovery 

er purposes. The French nation w< er and ready to seize 

n any n< tensive domain, and were the first to profit by 

let it was more than a century before any adventi 

disco •■: . 

In L616, four years before the pilgrims "moored their hark on the 

ml shore," Le Caron, a French Franciscan, had pene- 

i . \\ . adots (Hurons) to the streams which 

Lak< Huron; and .it missionaries founded the 

the lake triU-s. It was just one hundred years from 

. lie- Mississippi by l» Si I 1541) until the Canadian 

net tin- N t the Falls of St. Mary. 

Superior. This visit led to no perjnanent 
not until 1659 that any <»f the adventurous fur traders 
: a Winter in tin- frozen wilds about the great La] 
nor ■ Lished upon their borders l>\ 

erished in the \* Is a few months after. In I 1 , < ude 

built tli' -1 i 1 1 -lc habitation of the white man among the 

Indians of th< • In 1668, Claude Dablon and James Marquette 

founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary, and two 

terward, Nicholas Pen , 1! foi M. Talon, < rO"\ si 1 

rrai 1 ;da. explored Lake Illinois (Michigan) as far south as the 

I : the Indian nations to meet him at a 

. \ heri' they w 

•n of the king, and formal possession was taken 

I • a Marquette established a mission at 

aatiuB, where was founded the old town of Michillimaokinac. 
During M. Talon's explorations and Marquette's resident 

■ the west, and fancied 

i all others did then— that upon it- fertile hanks whole tribes of God's 

children resided, to whom the sound oft Q ..;., 1 had never come. 

Filled with a wish to go and preach to them, and in compliance with a 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 21 

request of M. Talon, who earnestly desired to extend the domain of his 
king, and to ascertain whether the river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico 
or the Pacific Ocean, Marquette with Joliet, as commander of the expe- 
dition, prepared for the undertaking. 

On the 13th of May, 1673, the explorers, accompanied by five assist- 
ant French Canadians, set out from Mackinaw on their daring voyage of 
discovery. The Indians, who gathered to witness their departure, were 
astonished at the boldness of the undertaking, and endeavored to dissuade 
them from their purpose by representing the tribes on the Mississippi as 
exceedingly savage and cruel, and the river itself as full of all sorts of 
frightful monsters ready to swallow them and their canoes together. But, 
nothing daunted by these terrific descriptions, Marquette told them he 
was willing not only to encounter all the perils of the unknown region 
they were about to explore, but to lay down his life in a cause in which 
the salvation of souls was involved ; and having prayed together they 
separated. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, the 
adventurers entered Green Bay, and passed thence up the Fox Etfcer and 
Lake Winnebago to a village of the Miamis and Kickapoos. Here Mar- 
quette was delighted to find a beautiful cross planted in the middle of the 
town ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, 
which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to 
thank him for the pity he had bestowed on them during the Winter in 
;_iving them an abundant * k chase." This was the farthest outpost to 
which Dablon and Allouez had extended their missionary labors the 
3 car previous. Here Marquette drank mineral waters and was instructed 
in the secret of a root which cures the bite of the venomous rattlesnake. 
He assembled the chiefs and old men of the village, and, pointing to 
Joliet, said: " My friend is an envoy of France, to discover new coun- 
tries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths 
of the Gospel." Two Miami guides were here furnished to conduct 
them to the Wisconsin River, and they set out from the Indian village on 
the 10th of June, amidst a great crowd of natives who had assembled to 
witness their departure into a region where no white man had ever 
ventured. The guides, having conducted them across the | 
returned. The explorers launched their canoes upon the Wisconsin, 
which they descended to the Mississippi and proceeded down its unknown 
waters. What emotions must have swelled their breasts as they struck 
out into the broadening current and became conscious that they were 
now upon the bosom of tha Father of Waters. The mystery was about 
to be lifted from the long-sought river. The scenery in that locality is 
beautiful, and on that delightful seventeenth of June must have been 
clad in all its primeval Loveliness as il had been adorned by the hand of 



\ 

22 



THE NORTHWEST TKKKITORY. 



ire. Drifting rapidly, it is said that the bold blufls on either hand 
minded them oi the castled Bhores of their own beautiful rivers of 
France." By-and-by, asthey drifted along, great herds of buffalo appeared 
on the banks. I >n to the heads of the valley they could see a 

oountry of the greatest beauty and fertility, apparently destitute of inhab- 
itants ret presenting the appearance of extensive manors, under the fas- 
tidioua cultivation of Lordly propriet 



^^>.VVK. 




sol R( i OF i in Mi — i--irri. 



( )n June 25, they went ashore and found b >me fresh i races of men upon 
the Band, and a path which led to tin- prairie. The men remained in the 
. and Marquette and Joliet followed the path till they discovered a 
village on the hank- of a river, and two other vi n a hill, within a 

half League of the first, inhabited by Indians. They were received most 
hospitably by these natives, who had never before seen a white person. 
\ remaining a few days they re-embarked and descended the river to 
about Latitude 88°, where they found a village of the Arkansas, and being 
satisfied that the river flowed into tin- Gulf oi , turned their course 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 23 

up the river, and ascending the stream to the mouth of the Illinois, 
rowed up that stream to its source, and procured guides from that point 
to the lakes. " Nowhere on this journey," says Marquette, " did we see 
such grounds, meadows, woods, stags, buffaloes, deer, wildcats, bustards, 
swans, ducks, parroquets, and even beavers, as on the Illinois River." 
The party, without loss or injury, reached Green Bay in September, and 
reported their discovery — one of the most important of the age, but of 
which no record was preserved save Marquette's, Joliet losing his by 
the upsetting of his canoe on his way to Quebec. Afterward Marquette 
returned to the Illinois Indians by their request, and ministered to them 
until 1675. On the 18th of May, in that year, as he was passing the 
mouth of a stream — going with his boatmen up Lake Michigan — he asked 
to land at its mouth and celebrate Mass. Leaving his men with the canoe, 
he retired a short distance and began his devotions. As much time 
passed and he did not return, his men went in search of him, and found 
him upon his knees, dead. He had peacefulky passed away while at 
prayer. He was buried at this spot. Charlevoix, who visited the place 
fifty years after, found the waters had retreated from the grave, leaving 
the beloved missionary to repose in peace. The river has since been 
called Marquette. 

While Marquette and his companions were pursuing their labors in 
the West, two men, differing widely from him and each other, were pre- 
paring to follow in his footsteps and perfect the discoveries so well begun 
bv him. These were Robert de La Salle and Louis Hennepin. 

After La Salle's return from the discovery of the Ohio River (see 
the narrative elsewhere), he established himself again among the French 
trading posts in Canada. Here he mused long upon the pet project of 
those ages — a short way to China and the East, and was busily planning an 
expedition up the great lakes, ami so across the continent to the Pacific, 
when Marquette returned from the Mississippi. At once the vigorous mind 
of LaSalle received from his and his companions' stories the idea that by fol- 
lowing the Great River northward, or by turning up some of the numerous 
western tributaries, the object could easily be gained. lie applied to 
Frontenac, Governor General of Canada, and laid before him the plac, 
dim but gigantic. Frcnteuac entered warmly into his plans, and saw that 
LaSalle's idea to connect the great lakes i.-y a chaiD of forts with the Gulf 
of Mexico would bind the country so wonderfully together, give un- 
measured power to France, and glory to himself, under whose adminis- 
tration he earnestly hoped all would In- realized. 

LaSalle now repaired t«> France, laid his plans before the King, who 
warmly approved of them, and made him a Chevalier. He also received 
from all the noblemen the warmest wishes for his success. fne Che? 



24 



; Hi: NOB l'll\vi;sr rEBRITOBY. 



alier retained to Canada, and busily entered upon his work. He at 
once rebuill Fori Frontenac and constructed the first ship to sail on 
these fresh- water seas. On the 7th of August, 1679, having been joined 
by Hennepin, he began his voyage in the Griffin up Lake Brie. He 
passed over this lake, through the Btraita beyond, up Lake St. Clair and 
into Huron. In this lake they encountered heavy Btorms. They were 
Borne time a- Rlichillimackinac, where LaSalle founded ;• fort, and passed 
on to G B .. the "Hah- <!••> Puans " of the French, where he found 

a large quantity of furs collected for him. He Loaded the Griffin with 
these, and placing her under the care of s pilot and fourteen sailors. 




i.\ BALLl l.AM'INU OK I in: 3H0RB 0¥ GREEN BAY. 

started her on her return voyage. The vessel ^;i< never afterward heard 
of. He remained shoal these parte until early in the Winter, when, hear- 
ing nothing from the Griffin, he collected all the men — thirty working 
men and three monks — and started again upon hi- greal undertaking. 

I'.. ;i short portage they passed to the Dlinois or Kankakee, called by 

the [ndians, "Theakeke," u-nit'. I ause of the tribes of Indians called 

by that inline, commonly known ;i- the Mahingans, dwelling there. The 
French pronounced it Kiakiki, which became corrupted t.> Kankakee. 
"Falling down the said river by easy journeys, the better to observe the 
country," about the last of December they reached a village of the Ilh- 
noifl Indians, containing some five hundred cabins, hut :it that moment 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 25 

no inhabitants. The Seur de LaSalle being in want of some breadstuff's, 
took advantage of the absence of the Indians to help himself to a suffi- 
ciency of maize, large quantities of which he found concealed in holes 
under the wigwams. This village was situated near the present village 
of Utica in LaSalle County, Illinois. The corn being securely stored, 
the voyagers again betook themselves to the stream, and toward evening. 
on the 4th day of January, 1680, they came into a lake which must have 
been the lake of Peoria. This was called by the Indians Pim-i-te-ivi, that 
is, a place where there are many fat beasts. Here the natives were met 
with in large numbers, but they were gentle and kind, and having spent 
some time with them, LaSalle determined to erect another fort in that 
place, for he had heard rumors that some of the adjoining tribes were 
trying to disturb the good feeling which existed, and some of his men 
were disposed to complain, owing to the hardships and perils of the travel. 
He called this fort " Crevecoeur" 1 (broken-heart), a name expressive of the 
very natural sorrow and anxiety which the pretty certain loss of his ship. 
Griffin, and his consequent impoverishment, the danger of hostility on the 
part of the Indians, and of mutiny among his own men, might well cause 
him. His fears were not entirely groundless." At one time poison was 
placed in his food, but fortunately was discovered. 

While building this fort, the Winter wore away, the prairies began to 
look green, and LaSalle, despairing of any reinforcements, concluded to 
return to Canada, raise new means and new men, and embark anew in 
the enterprise. For this purpose he made Hennepin the leader of a party 
to explore the head waters of the Mississippi, and he set out on his jour- 
ney. This journey was accomplished with the aid of a few persons, and 
was successfully made, though over an almost u lknown route, and in a 
bad season of the year. He safely reached Cana <ia, and set out again for 
the object of his search. 

Hennepin and his party left Fort Crevecoeur on the last of February, 
1680. When LaSalle reached this place on his return expedition, he 
found the fort entirelv deserted, and he was obliged to return again to 
Canada. He embarked the third time, and succeeded. Seven days after 
leaving the fort, Hennepin reached the Mississippi, and paddling up the 
icy stream as best he could, reached no higher than the Wisconsin River 
by the 11th of April. Here he and his followers were taken prisoners by a 
band of Northern Indians, who treated them with great kindness. Hen- 
nepin's comrades were Anthony Auguel and Michael Ako. On this voy- 
age they found several beautiful lakes, and " saw some charming prairi 
Their captors were the Isaute or Sauteurs, Chippewas, a tribe of the Sioux 
nation, who took them up the river until about the first of May. when 
they reached some falls, which Hennepin christened Falls of St. Anthony 



26 



THE M»i;t;;\\ RBITORY. 



in honor of his patroD saint. Here they took the land, and traveling 
nearly two hundred miles to the northwest, brought them to their villages. 
Here they were kept aboul three months, were treated kindly by their 

captors, and at the end of th . were met by a band <>f Frenchmen, 




i . i i i • \ I - ' sunt. 

headed by one Seur de Luth, who, in pursuit of trade and game, had pi 

ed thus far by the route of Lake Superior; and with these fellow- 
oountrymeo Hennepin and his companions were allowed t<> return to the 
borders of civilized life in November, 1680, jusl after LaSalle had 
returned to the wilderness on his Becond trip, Bennepin soon after went 
to Prance, where h<- published an account ut* his adyentm 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 27 

The Mississippi was first discovered by De Soto in April, 1541, in his 
vain endeavor to find gold and precious gems. In the following Spring, 
De Soto, weary with hope long deferred, and worn out with his wander- 
ings, he fell a victim to disease, and on the 21st of May died. His followers, 
reduced by fatigue and disease to less than three hundred men, wandered 
about the country nearly a year, in the vain endeavor to rescue them- 
selves by land, and finally constructed seven small vessels, called brigan- 
tines, in which they embarked, and descending the river, supposing it 
would lead them to the sea, in July they came to the sea (Gulf of 
Mexico), and by September reached the Island of Cuba. 

They were the first to see the great outlet of the Mississippi ; but, 
being so weary and discouraged, made no attempt to claim the country, 
and hardly had an intelligent idea of what they had passed through. 

To La Salle, the intrepid explorer, belongs the honor of giving the 
first account of the mouths of the river. His great desire was to possess 
this entire country for his king, and in January, 1682, he and his band of 
explorers left the shores of Lake Michigan on their third attempt, crossed 
the portage, passed down the Illinois River, and on the 6th of February, 
reached the banks of the Mississippi. 

On the 13th they commenced their downward course, which they 
pursued with but one interruption, until upon the 6th of March they dis^ 
covered the three great passages by which the river discharges its waters 
into the gulf. La Salle thus narrates the event : 

" We landed on the bank of the most western channel, about three 
leagues (nine miles) from its mouth. On the seventh, M. de LaSalle 
went to reconnoiter the shores of the neighboring sea, and M. de Tonti 
meanwhile examined the great middle channel. They found the main 
outlets beautiful, large and deep. On the 8th we reascended the river, a 
little above its confluence with the sea, to find a dry place beyond the 
reach of inundations. The elevation of the North Pole was here about 
twenty-seven degrees. Here we prepared a column and a cross, and to 
the column were affixed the arms of France with this inscription : 

Louis I.e Grand, Roi De France et de Navarre, regne ; Le neuvieme Avril, 16S2. 

The whole party, under arms, chanted the Te Deum, and then, after 
a salute and cries of " Vive le Roi" the column was erected by M. de 
La Salle, who, standing near it, proclaimed in a loud voice the authority of 
the King of France. LaSalle returned and laid the foundations of the Mis- 
sissippi settlements in Illinois, thence he proceeded to France, where 
another expedition was fitted out, of which he was commander, and in two 
succeeding voyages failed to find the outlet of the river by sailing along 
the shore of the gulf. On his third voyage he was killed, through the 



28 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



treachery of hi^ followers, and the objecl of his expeditions was not 
accomplished until 1699, when B'Iberville, under 1 1 1 * - authority of the 
crown, discovered, on the Becond of March, by way of the sea, the mouth 
of tin' •• Hidden River "' This m stream was called by the native! 

•• M Ubou* ■/,:.!." and by the Spaniards, "la PalUsade" from the great 










i B IPPIHO. 

number of treea about its mouth. After traversing the several outlets, 
rfying himself ai to it- certainty, he erected a fort near its western 
outlet, and returned to Prance. 

An avenue of trade vras noi opened out which was fully improved. 
In 17 l v . Ni\\ Orleans was laid ouj and settled by Borne European oolo- 
nists. In 1762, the colony irai made over to Spain, to be regained by 
France under the consulate of Napoleon. En 1805, it vras purchased by 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 29 

the United States for the sum of fifteen million dollars, and the territory 
of Louisiana and commerce of the Mississippi River came under the 
charge of the United States. Although LaSalle's labors ended in defeat 
and death, he had not worked and suffered in vain. He had thrown 
open to France and the world an immense and most valuable country ; 
had established several ports, and laid the foundations of more than one 
settlement there. " Peoria, Kaskaskia and Cahokia, are to this dav monu- 
ments of LaSalle's labors ; for, though he had founded neither of them 
(unless Peoria, which was built nearly upon the site of Fort Crevecoeur,) 
it was by those whom he led into the West that these places were 
peopled and civilized. He was, if not the discoverer, the first settler of 
the Mississippi Valley, and as such deserves to be known and honored." 
The French early improved the opening made for them. Before the 
year 1698, the Rev. Father Gravier began a mission among the Illinois, 
and founded Kaskaskia. For some time this was merely a missionary 
station, where none but natives resided, it being one of three such vil- 
lages, the other two being Cahokia and Peoria. What is known of 
these missions is learned from a letter written by Father Gabriel Marest, 
dated " Aux Cascaskias, autrement dit de lTinmaeulate Conception de 
la Sainte Vierge, le 9 Novembre. 1712. " Soon after the founding of 
Kaskaskia, the missionary, Pinet, gathered a flock at Cahokia, while 
Peoria arose near the ruins of Fort Crevecoeur. This must have been 
about the year 1700. The post at Vincennes on the Oubaehe river, 
(pronounced Wii-bii, meaning summer cloud mdtfmg smijEtlifi) was estab- 
lished in 1702, according to the best authorities.* It is altogether prob- 
able that on LaSalle's last trip he established the stations at Kaskaskia 
and Cahokia. In July, 1701, the foundations of Fort Ponchartrain 
were laid by De la Motte Cadillac on the Detroit River. These sta- 
tions, with those established further north, were the earliest attempts to 
occupy the Northwest Territory. At the same time efforts were being 
made to occupy the Southwest, which finally culminated in the settle- 
ment and founding of the City of New Orleans by a colony from England 
in 1718. This was mainly accomplished through the efforts of the 
famous Mississippi Company, established by the notorious John Law, 
who so quickly arose into prominence in France, and who with his 
scheme so quickly and so ignominiously passed away. 

From the time of the founding of these stations for fifty years the 
French nation were engrossed with the settlement of the lower Mi 
sippi, and the war with the Chicasaws, who had, in revenge for repeated 

* There is considerable dispute about this date, some asserting It was founded as late as 1743. When 
the new court house at Vincennes u:is erected, all authorities on the subject wore carefully examined, ami 
W02 fixed upon as the correct date. It was accordingly engraved on the eorner-atone of the court b i 



SO Tin: NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

injuries, cut off tin- entire colony at Natchez. Although the company 
did lit 1 1 « - for Louisiana, as ti West was then (.•ailed, yet it opened 

trade through the Mississippi River, and started the raising of g i 
indigenous to that climate. Until the year 1750, but little is known of 
the settlements in the Northwest, ;i> it was not until this time that the 

ntionof the English was called to the occupation of this portion of the 
New World, which they then supposed they owned. Vivier, a missionary 
among the Qlinois, writing from -Aux Illinois," six leagues from Fort 

rtres, June v . 1750, says: "We have here whites, negroes and 
Indii say nothing of cross-breeds. There arc five French villa 

and three villages of the , within a space of twenty-one Leagues 

situated between the M ssissippi and another river called the Karkadaid 
ikias). In the five French villages are, perhaps, eleven hundred 
whites, three hundred blacks and some Bixty red slaves or savages. The 

three Illinois towns do not contain more than eight hundred souls all 

M French till the 6oil ; they raise wheat, cattle, pigs and 

horses, and live like princes. Three times as much is produced as can 
be consumed; and great quantities of grain and flour are sent to New 
Orleans." Tin- city was now the seaport town of the Northwest, and 

■ in the extreme northern part, where only furs and copper ore were 
found, almost all the products of the country found their way to France 
by the mouth of the Father of Water-. In another letter, dated N"\ em- 
ber 7. 1750, this same priest say-: •• For fifteen leagues above the 
mouth of the Mississippi one sees no dwellings, the ground being to,, low 
t" he habitable. Thence t<» New Orleans, the lands are only partially 

upied. New Orleans contain- black, white and red. not more. I 
think, than twelve hundred persons. To this point nunc all lumber, 

bricks, Bait-beef, tallow, tar. skins and hear*.- ; ami above all. pork 

ami flour from the Illinois. These things create some commerce, as forty 
.Hid more have come hither this year. Above New Orleans, 

plantations are again met with: the most considerable i- a colony of 
ae ten leagues up the river. A\ Point Coupee, thirty-] 
above tie- German settlement, is a fort. Along here, within five 

or six leagues, are n,,t h--> than sixtv habitations. Fifty leagues farther 

"l 1 u the \ • ■/. post, where we have a garrison, whoare kept prisoners 

through tear of the Chickasaws. Ih re and at Point Coupee, they : 

dent tobacco. Another hundred leagues brings us to the Arkai 

where we ha and a garrison for the benefit of the river 

* * * From the Arkansas to the Illu iriy five hundred 

ttlement. There should he. however, a fort at 

the Oubache (Ohio), the only path by which the English can reach the 

M ippi. In the Illinois country are numberless mines, but no on< 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



31 



work them as they deserve." Father Marest, writing from the post at 
Vincennes in 181 2, makes the same observation. Vivier also says : " Sorue 
individuals dig lead near the surface and supply the Indians and Canada. 
Two Spaniards now here, who claim to be adepts, say that our mines are 
like those of Mexico, and that if we would dig deeper, we should find 
silver under the lead ; and at any rate the lead is excellent. There is also 
in this country, beyond doubt, copper ore, as from time to time large 
pieces are found in the streams." 




\ 










MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 



At the close of the year 17 ">0, the French occupied, in addition to the 
lower Mississippi posts and those in Illinois, one at Du Quesne, one at 
the Maumee in the country of the Miamis, and one at Sandusky in what 
maybe termed the Ohio Valley. In the northern part of the Northwest 
they had stations at St. Joseph's on the St. Joseph's of Lake Michigan. 
at Fort Ponchartrain (Detroit), at Michillimackanac or Massillimacanac, 
Fox River of Green Bay, and at Sault Ste. Marie. The fondest dreams of 
LaSalle were now fully realized. The French alone were possessors of 
this vast realm, basing their claim on discovery and settlement. Another 
nation, however, was now turning its attention to this extensive country, 



THK NuU I'll WRs r TERRITORY. 

and bearing of its wealth, began to lay plans foi occupying it and for 
ring the gnat profits arising therefrom. 
The French, however, had another claim to this country, namely, the 



DISCOVERY OF THE OHIO. 

This " Beautiful " river was discovered by Robert Cavalier de La- 
Salh* in L669, four years before the discovery of the Mississippi by .loliet 
ami Marquet 

VVh Salle was al his trading post on the Si . Lawrence, he found 

ire to study nine Indian dialects, the chief of which was the Iroquois. 

II :i ■• on desired to facilitate hi- intercourse in trade, hut he longed 

to travel and explore tin- unknown regions of the West. An incident 

soon occurred winch decided him to tit out an exploring expedition. 

While conversing with some Seneca.-. In- learned <>i a river called the 

Ohio, which rose in their country ami flowed to the sea, hut at such a 

thai it required eight months to reach it> mouth. In this state- 

ment thi *ippi and its tributaries were considered a- one stream. 

LaSalli believing, as most of the French at that period did. that the great 

sihiwi' emptied into the Sea of California, was anxiout 

embark in the enterprise of discovering a route across the continent to 
the commerce of ( Jhina ami Japan. 

II repaired at once to Quebec to obtain the approval <'t' the Gov- 
Hi- eloquent appeal prevailed. The Governor and the Intendant, 
Talon, issued letters patent authorizing the enterprise, hut made no pro- 
vision to defray the expi At this juncture the seminary of St. Sul- 
-einl put missionaries in connection with the expedition, 
ing to sell bis improvements at LaCbine to raise money, 
•1 by the Superior, and two thousand eight hundred 
ed, with which LaSalle purchased four canoes and the 
\ supplies for the out lit . 
On the 6th of July. 1669, the party, numbering twenty-four persons, 
embarked in seven canoes on the St. Lawrence: two additional can 
ied the Indian guides. In three days they were gliding over the 
m of Lake Ontario. Their guides conducted them directly to the 

n the hank of th I e. in the vicinity of the J. resent 

o !>' , N Fork. Here cpected to procure guid< - 

conduct them to the Ohio, hut in this fchej were disappointed. 

The Indians seemed unfriendly to the enterprise. LaSalle Busp* 
that the Jesuits had prejudiced their minds against his plans. After 
waiting a month in the hop, of gaming their oh ect. they met an Indian 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



33 



from the Iroquois colony at the head of Lake Ontario, who assured them 
that they could there find guides, and offered to conduct them thence. 

On their way they passed the mouth of the Niagara River, when they 
heard for the first time the distant thunder of the cataract. Arriving 




moil BRIDGE, LAKE BLUFF, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



among the Iroquois, they met with a friendly reception, and learned 
from a Shawanee prisoner that they could reach the Ohio in six weeks. 
Delighted with the unexpected good fortune, they made ready t.> resume 
their journey; but just as they were about to start they heard of the 
arrival of two Frenchmen in a neighboring village. < >ne of them prov< <i 
to be Louis Joliet. afterwards famous as an explorer in the West. He 



THE NORTH wkst TBBBTTORY. 

had been sent by tlie Canadian Government to explore the copper mines 
od Lake Superior, but had failed, and was on hia way back to Quebec. 
He gave the missionaries a map of the country he had explored in the 
lake region, together with an account of the condition of the Indians in 
that quarter. This induced the priests to determine on Leaving the 
expedition and going to Lake Superior. LaSalle warned them that the 
.1 tits were probably occupying that field, and that they would meet 
with a cold reception. Nevertheless they persisted in their purpose, and 
after worship on the lake shore, parted from LaSalle. <>n arriving at 
Lake Superior, they found, as LaSalle had predicted, the Jesuit Fathers, 
Marquette and Dablon, occupying the field. 

These sealous disciples of Loyola informed them that they wanted 
no assistance from St. Sulpice, nor from those who made him their patron 
saint : and thus repulsed, they returned to Montreal the following June 
without having made a Bingle discovery or converted a single Indian. 

After parting with the priests, LaSalle went to the chief Iroquois 
village at Onondaga, where he obtained guides, and passing thence to a 
tributary of the Ohio Bouth of Lake Erie, he descended the latter as far 

a> tie- falls at Louisville. Thus was the Ohio discovered by LaSalle, the 
BVering and successful French explorer of the West, in 1669. 

The account of the latter part of 'his journey is found in an anony- 
mous paper, which purports to have been taken from the lips of LaSalle 
himself during a subsequent visit to Paris. In a letter written to Count 
1 Miliar iii 1667, shortly after the discovery, he himself says that he 
discovered the Ohio and descended it to the falls. This was regarded as 
an indisputable fact by the French authorities, who claimed the Ohio 
V ry upon another ground. When Washington was sent by the colony 
of Virginia in 1753, to demand of Gordeur de St. Pierre why the French 

had built a fort mi the Monongahela, the haughty commandant at Quebec 
replied : •• We claim the country OD the Ohio by virtue of the discoveries 

: He, and will qoI give it up to the English. Our orders are to 
make prisoners "i everj Englishman found trading in the Ohio Vail* 

ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 
When the new year of 1750 broke in upon the Father of Waters 

and the <i N . all was still wild save at the French posts 

already described. In IT 1 *. » . when the English first began to think seri- 
ously about Bending men into the W< st, the greater portion of the States 
of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were yet 

under the dominion of the red men. The English knew, however, pretty 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 35 

conclusively of the nature of the wealth of these wilds. As early as 
1710, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, had commenced movements to 
secure the country west of the Alleghenies to the English crown. In 
Pennsylvania, Governor Keith and James Logan, secretary of the prov- 
ince, from 1719 to 1731, represented to the powers of England the neces- 
sity of securing the Western lands. Nothing was done, however, by that 
power save to take some diplomatic steps to secure the claims of Britain 
to this unexplored wilderness. 

England had from the outset claimed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 
on the ground that the discovery of the seacoast and its possession was a 
discovery and possession of the country, and, as is well known, her grants 
to the colonies extended " from sea to sea." This was not all her claim. 
She had purchased from the Indian tribes large tracts of land. This lat- 
ter was also a strong argument. As early as 1684, Lord H oward, Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, held a treaty with the six nations. These were the 
great Northern Confederacy, and comprised at first the Mohawks, Onei- 
das, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. Afterward the Tuscaroras were 
taken into the confederacy, and it became known as the Six Nations. 
They came under the protection of the mother country, and again in 
1701, they repeated the agreement, and in September, 1726, a formal deed 
was drawn up and signed by the chiefs. The validity of this claim has 
often been disputed, but never successfully. In 1744, a purchase was 
made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, of certain lands within the " Colony of 
Virginia," for which the Indians received £200 in gold and a like sum in 
goods, with a promise that, as settlements increased, more should be paid. 
The Commissioners from Virginia were Colonel Thomas Lee and Colonel 
William Beverly. As settlements extended, the promise of more pay was 
called to mind, and Mr. Conrad Weiser was sent across the mountains with 
presents to appease the savages. Col. Lee, and some Virginians accompa- 
nied him with the intention of sounding the Indians upon their feelings 
regarding the English. They were not satisfied with their treatment, 
and plainly told the Commissioners why. The English did not desire the 
cultivation of the country, but the monopoly of the Indian trade. In 
1748, the Ohio Company was formed, and petitioned the king for a grant 
of land beyond the Alleghenies. This was granted, and the government 
of Virginia was ordered to grant to them a half million acres, two hun- 
dred thousand of which were to be located at once. Upon the 12th of 
June, 1749, 800,000 acres from the line of Canada north and west was 
made to the Loyal Company, and on the 29th of October, 1751, 100,000 
acres were given to the Greenbriar Company. All this time the French 
were not idle. They saw that, should the British gain a foothold in tlie 
West, especially upon the Ohio, they might not only prevent the French 



Tin: SOBTHWEST TEBEITOEY. 

settling upon it, but in time would come to the lower posts and so gaiu 
possession of tb intrj. Upon the 10th of May. 1774, Yaud- 

reuil, Governor of Canada and the French possessions, well knowing the 
con» quern es that must arise from allowing the English to build trading 
posts in the Northwest, seized some of their frontier posts, and to further 
ilaim of the French to the West, he, in 1 7 4' ♦. senl Louis Cel- 
eron with a party of soldiers to plant along the < 'hi'* River, in the mounds 
and at thu mouths of its principal tributaries, plates of lead, on which 
be claim ince. These were heard of in 17.VJ, and 

within I aory of residents now living along the '* Oyo," as the 

beautiful river was called by the Fiench. One of these plates was found 
with the inscription partly defaced. It bears date August 16, 1749, and 
i' the inscription with particular account of the discovery of the 
plate, was sent by DeWitl Clinton to the American Antiquarian Society, 
amo irnals it may now he found.*' These m i did not, 

however, deter the English from going on with their explorations, and 
though neither partj 1 to arm-, yet the conflict was gathering, and 

it was only a question of time when the storm would hurst upon the 
frontier settlements. In 17.~>". Christopher Gist was sent by the Ohio 
Company to examine its lands. He went to a village of the Twigtwi 
on the Miami, about one hundred and fifty miles above its mouth. He 
afterward Bpoke of it as very populous. From there he went down 
the Ohio River nearly to the falls at the present City of Louisville, 
and in November he commenced it survey of the Company's lands. Dur- 
ing the Winter. General Andrew Lewis performed a similar work for the 
G enbriar Company. Meanwhile the French were busy in preparing 
their forts for defence, and in opening roads, and also sent a small party 
loldiers to keep the < Mho dear. This party, having heard of the Eng- 
lish post on the .M 1; irly in 1652, assisted by the Ottawas and 
Chippewas, attacked it, and, after a Bevere battle, in which fourteen of 
the natives were killed and others wounded, captured the garrison. 
(They were probably garrisoned in a blockhouse). The traders were 
carried aw ay to Canada, and one account Bays >e\ eral were burned. This 
fort or i"'-; was called by thi English Pickawillany. A memorial of the 
king's mini- Ps to it as ■• Pickawillanes, in the center of the terri- 
tory between the Ohio and the Wabash. The name is probably some 
variation of Pickaway or Picqua in 177"., written l>y Rev. David Jones 
Pickaweke." 

• The following i is reign of La 

Klng< wsleur tbe Marquis ..f Qfjllaoulere, a m- 

in. in. i'-i -it.- rlllagei "f Hi.-.- . anions, bars 

burir.l tills DUUC ;i! tin' eonfllH -ily-nliilli ol .Inly. 1 ■ • . i r the river Ohio, "tli. 

,■ fill River, as a monument of renewal .if possession which we h.i\ .• taken of the said river, and all its 

(rllm' ' I It, and nialiitaliieiill l>y Ihelr amis and 

treaties; MpeclaJI] by tie . .ind Alx LaCha|H-llu.'' 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY :',7 

This was the first bloodshed between the French and English, and 
occurred near the present City of Piqua, Ohio, or at least at a point about 
forty-seven miles north of Dayton. Each nation became now more inter- 
ested in the progress of events in the Northwest. The English deter- 
mined to purchase from the Indians a title to the lands they wished to 
occupy, and Messrs. Fry (afterward Commander-in-chief over Washing- 
ton at the commencement of the French War of 1775-1768), Lomax and 
Patton were sent in the Spring of 1752 to hold a conference with the 
natives at Logstown to learn what they objected to in the treaty of Lan- 
caster already noticed, and to settle all difficulties. On the 9th of June, 
these Commissioners met the red men at Logstown, a little village on the 
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles below the site of Pitts- 
burgh. Here had been a trading point for many years, but it was aban- 
doned by the Indians in 1750. At first the Indians declined to recognize 
the treaty of Lancaster, but, the Commissioners taking aside Montour, 
the interpreter, who was a son of the famous Catharine Montour, and a 
chief among the six nations, induced him to use his influence in their 
favor. This he did, and upon the loth of June they all united in signing 
a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in its full extent, consenting to a 
settlement of the southeast of the Ohio, and guaranteeing that it should 
not be disturbed by them. These were the means used to obtain the first 
treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley. 

Meanwhile the powers beyond the sea were trying to out-manceuvre 
each other, and were professing to be at peace. The English generally 
outwitted the Indians, and failed in many instances to fulfill their con- 
tracts. They thereby gained the ill-will of the red men, and further 
increased the feeling by failing to provide them with arms and ammuni- 
tion. Said an old chief, at Easton, in 1758: " The Indians on the Ohio 
left you because of your own fault. When we heard the French were 
coming, we asked you for help and arms, but we did not get them. The 
French came, they treated us kindly, and gained our affections. The 
Governor of Virginia settled on our lands for his own benefit, and, when 
we wanted help, forsook us." 

At the beginning of 1653, the English thought they had secured by 
title the lands in the West, but the French had quietly gathered cannon 
and military stores to be in readiness for the expected blow. The Eng- 
lish made other attempts to ratify these existing treaties, but not until 
the Summer could the Indians be gathered together to discuss the plans 
of the French. They had sent messages to the French, warning them 
away ; but they replied that they intended to complete the chain of forts 
already begun, and would not abandon the field. 

Soon after this, no satisfaction being obtained from the Ohio regard- 



THF. BTORTHWEBT TERRITORY. 

i 1 1 _r the positions and purposes of the French, Governor Dinwiddie of 
Virginia determined to Bend to them another m and learn from 

them, if possible, their intentions. For this purpose he selected a young 
in. in. .1 Bunreyor, who, at the early age of nineteen, had received the rank 
of major, and who was thoroughly posted r.-_rar<lin_r frontier life. This 

mage was no otherthan tin- illustrious George Washington, who then 
held considerable interest in Western Lands. He was at this time just 
twenty-two years of age. Taking <Ji-t as his guide, the two, accompanied 
by four Bervitors, >■•! out on their perilous march. They left Will's 
I k mi the 10th "t* November, 1753, and on the 22d reached the Monon- 
gahela, about ten miles above tin' fork. From there they went to 
Logstown, where Washington had a long conference with the chiefs of 
tin- Six Nations. From th. -in he learned the condition of tin- French, and 

heard of their determination not to come down the river till the fol- 
lowing Spring. Tin- Indians were non-committal, as they were afraid to 
turn either way, and, as tar as they could, desired to remain neutral. 
W shington, finding nothing could he done with them, went on to 
Venae ro, an old Indian town at the mouth of French Creek. Here the 
French had a for*, called Fort Machault. Through the rum and flattery 
of the French, he nearly lost all his Indian followers. Finding nothing 
of importance here, he pursued his way amid great privations, and un the 
11th of December reached the fort at the head of French ('reek. II 
he delivered Governor Dinwiddle's letter, received his answer, took his 
ervations, and on the 16th Bel out upon his return journey with no one 
hnt Gist, his guide, and a few Indians who still remained true to him, 
notwithstanding the endeavors of the French to retain them. Their 
homeward journey was one of great peril and suffering from the .old. yet 
they reached home in Bafety on the 6th of January, 1764. 

m tin- letter of St. Pierre, eoininaiider of the French fort, sent by 

w ishington to Governor Dinwiddie, il was learned thai the French would 
not give up without a Btruggle. Active preparations were at once made 
in all the English colonies tor the coming conflict, while the French 
finished the fort at Venango and strengthened their lines of fortifications, 
and gathered their forces to be in readim 

The Old Dominion was all alive. Virginia was the center of great 
activities; volunteers were called for. and from all the neighboring 
colonies men rallied to the conflict, and everywhere along the Potomac 
men were enlisting under the Governor's proclamation — which prom 
two hundred thousand acres on the Ohio. Along this river they were 
gathering as Ear as Will's Creek, and far beyond this point, whither Trent 
hail come for assistance for his little hand of forty-one men, who were 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 39 

working away in hunger and want, to fortify that point at the fork of 
the Ohio, to which both parties were looking with deep interest. 

" The first birds of Spring filled the air with their song ; the swift 
river rolled by the Allegheny hillsides, swollen by the melting snows of 
Spring and the April showers. The leaves were appearing ; a few Indian 
scouts were seen, but no enemy seemed near at hand ; and all was so quiet, 
that Frazier, an old Indian scout and trader, who had been left by Trent 
in command, ventured to his home at the mouth of Turtle Creek, ten 
miles up the Monongahela. But, though all was so quiet in that wilder- 
ness, keen eyes had seen the low intrenchment rising at the fork, and 
swift feet had borne the news of it up the river ; and upon the morning 
of the 17th of April, Ensign Ward, who then had charge of it, saw 
upon the Allegheny a sight that made his heart sink — sixty batteaux and 
three hundred canoes filled with men, and laden deep with cannon and 
stores. * * * That evening he supped with his captor, Contrecoeur, 
and the next day he was bowed off by the Frenchman, and with his men 
and tools, marched up the Monongahela." 

The French and Indian war had begun. The treaty of Aix la 
Chapelle, in 1748, had left the boundaries between the French and 
English possessions unsettled, and the events already narrated show the 
French were determined to hold the country watered by the Mississippi 
and its tributaries ; while the English laid claims to the country by virtue 
of the discoveries of the Cabots, and claimed all the country from New- 
foundland to Florida, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The 
first decisive blow had now been struck, and the first attempt of the 
English, through the Ohio Company, to occupy these lands, had resulted 
disastrously to them. The French and Indians immediately completed 
the fortifications begun at the Fork, which they had so easily captured, 
and when completed gave to the fort the name of DuQuesne. Washing- 
ton was at Will's Creek when the news of the capture of the fort arrived. 
He at once departed to recapture it. On his way he entrenched him- 
self at a place called the " Meadows,'' where he erected a fort called 
by him Fort Necessity. From there he surprised and captured a force of 
French and Indians inarching against him, but was soon after attacked 
in his fort by a much superior force, and was obliged to yield on the 
morning of July 4th. He was allowed to return to Virginia. 

The English Government immediately planned four campaigns; one 
against Fort DuQuesne ; one against Nova Scotia ; one against Fort 
Niagara, and one against Crown Point. These occurred during 1755-6, 
and were not successful in driving the French from their possessions. 
The expedition against Fort DuQuesne was led by the famous General 
Braddock, who, refusing to listen to the advice of Washington and those 



4ii J 111-: NOBTHWEST TERRITORY. 

acquainted with Indian warfare. Buffered such an inglorious defeat. This 
occurred on the morning of July 9th, and La generally known as the battle 
Monongahela, or " Braddock's Defeat." The war continued with 
varii jitudes through the years 1756-7 ; when, at tin- commence- 

ni' nt of 1758, in accordance with the plans of William Pitt, then Secre- 
tary of State, afterwards I -< « i « 1 Chatham, active preparations were made to 
carry on the war. Three expeditions were planned for this year: one, 
under General Amherst, againsl Louisburg; another, under Abercrombie, 
against Fori Ticonderoga; ami a third, under General Forbes, against 
1 • DuQuesne. < >n the 26th of July, Louisburg surrendered after a 
desperab ace of more than forty days, and tin- eastern part of the 

Canadian possessions tell into the hands of the British. Abercromhie 
captured Fori Frontenac, and when the expedition againsl Fort DuQuesne, 
of which Washingtoi had the active command, arrived there, it was 
found in flames and deserted. The English at once took possession, 
rebuilt the fort, and in honor of their illustrious statesman, changed the 
name to Fori Pitt. 

The ot of the campaign of 1759, was the reduction of 

Canada. General Wolfe was to lay Biege to Quebec; Amherst was to 
reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and General Prideauz was to 
\ Mia. This latter place was taken in July, hut the gallant 
Prideaux losl his life in th.- attempt. Amherst captured Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point without a blow; and Wolfe, after making the memor- 
able ascenl to the Plains of Abraham, on September 13th, defeated 
Montcalm, and od the L8th, the city capitulated. In this engagemenl 
Montcolm and Wolfe both Losl their li\ es. I >■■ Levi. Montcalm's succes 
man lied to Silleiv. three miles above the city, witli the purpose of 
defeating the English, and there, on the 28tli of the following April, was 
fought one of the bloodiesl battles of the Frenchand Indian War. It 
resulted in the defe il of the French, and the fall of the City of Montreal. 
The Governor Bigned a capitulation by which the whole of Canada was 
surrendered to the English. This practically concluded the war. hut it 

not until 1763 thai the treaties of peace between France and England 
were signed. This was done od the 10th of February of that year, and 
under its provisions all the country easl of the Mississippi and north of 
the Iberville !>' . in Louisiana, were ceded to England. At the same 
time Spain ceded Florida to ( I Britain. 

()n the 18th of September, 1760, Major Roberl Rogers was Bent 
from Montreal to take charge of Detroit, the only remaining French post 
in the territory. He arrived there on the 19th of November, and sum- 
moned the place to surrender. At first the commander of the post, 
Beletre refused, hut on the 29th, hearing of the continued defeat of the 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 41 

French arms, surrendered. Rogers remained there until December 23d 
under the personal protection of the celebrated chief, Pontiac, to whom, 
no doubt, he owed his safety. Pontiac had come here to inquire the 
purposes of the English in taking possession of the country. He was 
assured that they came simply to trade with the natives, and did not 
desire their country. This answer conciliated the savages, and did much 
to insure the safety of Rogers and his party during their stay, and while 
on their journey home. 

Rogers set out for Fort Pitt on December 23, and was just one 
month on the way. His route was from Detroit to Maumee, thence 
across the present State of Ohio directly to the fort. This was the com- 
mon trail of the Indians in their journeys from Sandusky to the fork of 
the Ohio. It went from Fort Sandusky, where Sandusky City now is, 
crossed the Huron river, then called Bald Eagle Creek, to " Mohickon 
John's Town" on Mohickon Creek, the northern branch of White 
Woman's River, and thence crossed to Beaver's Town, a Delaware town 
on what is now Sandy Creek. At Beaver's Town were probably one 
hundred and fifty warriors, and not less than three thousand acres of 
cleared land. From there the track went up Sand}' - Creek to and across 
Big Beaver, and up the Ohio to Logstown, thence on to the fork. 

The Northwest Territory was now entirely under the English rule. 
New settlements began to be rapidly made, and the promise of a large 
trade was speedily manifested. Had the British carried out their promises 
with the natives none of those savage butcheries would have been perpe- 
trated, and the country would have been spared their recital. 

The renowned chief, Pontiac, was one of the leading spirits in these 
atrocities. We will now pause in our narrative, and notice the leading 
events in his life. The earliest authentic information regarding this 
noted Indian chief is learned from an account of an Indian trader named 
Alexander Henry, who, in the Spring of 1761, penetrated his domains as 
far as Missillimacnac. Pontiac was then a great friend of the French, 
but a bitter foe of the English, whom he considered as encroaching on his 
hunting grounds. Henry was obliged to disguise himself as a Canadian 
to insure safety, but was discovered by Pontiac, who bitterly reproached 
him and the English for their attempted subjugation of the West. He 
declared that no treaty had been made with them ; no presents sent 
them, and that he would resent any possession of the West by that nation. 
He was at the time about fifty years of age, tall and dignified, and was 
civil and military ruler of the Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawatamies. 

The Indians, from Lake Michigan to the borders of North Carolina, 
were united in this feeling, and at the time of the treaty of Paris, ratified 
February 10, 1763, a general conspiracy was formed to fall suddenly 



48 



THE NOBTHWE8T I I.KUITOUY. 




^ 
£ 



/f y ? f A f 



PONTIAC, THE OTTAWA CHIEFTAIN. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 4-1 

upon the frontier British posts, and with one blow strike every man dead. 
Pontiac was the marked leader in all this, and was the commander 
of the Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots, Miamis, Shawanese, Delawares 
and Mingoes, who had, for the time, laid aside their local quarrels to unite 
in this enterprise. 

The blow came, as near as can now be ascertained, on May 7, 1762. 
Nine British posts fell, and the Indians drank, " scooped up in the hollow 
of joined hands," the blood of many a Briton. 

Pontiac's immediate field of action was the garrison at Detroit. 
Here, however, the plans were frustrated by an Indian woman disclosing 
the plot the evening previous to his arrival. Everything was carried out, 
however, according to Pontiac's plans until the moment of action, when 
Major Gladwyn, the commander of the post, stepping to one of the Indian 
chiefs, suddenly drew aside his blanket and disclosed the concealed 
musket. Pontiac, though a brave man, turned pale and trembled. He 
saw his plan was known, and that the garrison were prepared. He 
endeavored to exculpate himself from any such intentions ; but the guilt 
was evident, and he and his followers were dismissed with a severe 
reprimand, and warned never to again enter the walls of the post. 

Pontiac at once laid siege to the fort, and until the treaty of peace 
between the British and the Western Indians, concluded in August, 1764, 
continued to harass and besiege the fortress. He organized a regular 
commissariat department, issued bills of credit written out on bark, 
which, to his credit, it may be stated, were punctually redeemed. At 
the conclusion of the treaty, in which it seems he took no part, he went 
farther south, living many years among the Illinois. 

He had given up all hope of saving his country and race. After a 
time he endeavored to unite the Illinois tribe and those about St. Louis 
in a war with the whites. His efforts were fruitless, and only ended in a 
quarrel between himself and some Kaskaskia Indians, one of whom soon 
afterwards killed him. His death was, however, avenged by the northern 
Indians, who nearly exterminated the Illinois in the wars which followed. 

Had it not been for the treachery of a few of his followers, his plan 
for the extermination of the whites, a masterly one, would undoubtedly 
have been carried out. 

It was in the Spring of the year following Rogers' visit that Alex- 
ander Henry went to Missillimacnac, and everywhere found the strongest 
feelings against the English, who had not carried out their promises, and 
were doing nothing to conciliate the natives. Here he met the chief, 
Pontiac, who, after conveying to him in a speech the idea that their 
French father would awake soon and utterly destroy his enemies, said : 
" Englishman, although you have conquered the French, 3-011 have not 



44 THE HQBTHWEST TBBBITOBT. 

yet conquered us ! We are not your slaves! These lakes, these woods, 
these mountains, were Lefl us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance, 
and we will part with them to none. STour nation supposes that we, like 
the white people, can not live without bread and pork and beef. But you 
ought to know that lit-, the Great Spirit and Master of Life, has provided 
food for oa upon these broad lakes and in these mountains.'' 

II.' tlu-n Bpoke of the fact that no treaty had been made with t 

no presents sent them, and that he and his people v. for war. 

the feelings of tin- Northwestern Indians immediately after 

the English took possession of their country. These feelings were no 

ed by the Canadians and French, who hoped that yet the 

French arm- mighl prevail. The treaty of Paris, however, gave to the 

Ei lish the right to this yast domain, and active preparations were going 

upy it ami enjoy its trade and emoluments. 

In 1 7 • '. i.' . Prance, by a secrel treaty, ceded Louisiana i<> Spain, to pre- 
vent it falling into the hands of the English, who wen- becoming masters 
be entire West. The next year the treaty of Paris, signed at Fon- 
tainbleau, gave to the English the domain of the country in question. 
! . fter. by the treaty of peace between the United States 

I England, that part of Canada Lying Bouth and west of the Great 
Lakes, comprehending a Large territory which is the subject of these 
sketches, was acknowledged to be a portion of the United States; and 
twenty years still later, in l^Q:., Louisiana was ceded by Spain hack to 
Fiance, and by France sold to the United States. 

In the half century, from the building of the Fort of CrevecoBur by 
LaSalle, in 1680, up to the erection of Fort Chartres, many French set- 
tlements had been made in that quarter. These have already I 
noticed, being those at St. Vincent (Vincennes), Kohokia or Cahokia, 
K kaskia and Prairie du Rocher, on the American Bottom, a Large tract 
of rich alluvial soil in Illinois, on the Mississippi, opposite the ^it «■ of St. 
Louis. 

By >f Paris, the regions east of- the Mississippi, including 

all these and other towns of the Northw* given over to England ; 

bul they do not appear to have U en taken j n of until 1765, when 

tain Stirling, in the name of the M • ■; of England, established him- 

I'oi-t Chartres bearing with him tl. imation of General < i 

d I December 80, IT''. 1. w hich promised religious freedom to all Cath- 
olics who worshiped hen-, and a right to Leave tin- country with their 
if they wished, or to remain with the privileges of Englishmen. 
I was shortly after the occupancy of the W ■• by tin- r>iiti>h that the 

war with Pontiac opened. It i> already noticed in the sketch of that 
Main By it many a Briton Lost his life, and many a frontier settle- 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 4.", 

ment in its infancy ceased to exist. This was not ended until the year 
1764, when, failing to capture Detroit, Niagara and Fort Pitt, his confed- 
eracy became disheartened, and, receiving no aid from the French, Pon- 
tiac abandoned the enterprise and departed to the Illinois, among whom 
he afterward lost his life. 

As soon as these difficulties were definitely settled, settlers began 
rapidly to survey the country and prepare for occupation. During the 
j'ear 1770, a number of persons from Virginia and other British provinces 
explored and marked out nearly all the valuable lands on the Mononga- 
hela and along the banks of the Ohio as far as the Little Kanawha. This 
was followed by another exploring expedition, in which George Washing- 
ton was a party. The latter, accompanied by Dr. Craik, Capt. Crawford 
and others, on the 20th of October, 1770, descended the Ohio from Pitts- 
burgh to the mouth of the Kanawha ; ascended that stream about fourteen 
miles, marked out several large tracts of land, shot several buffalo, which 
were then abundant in the Ohio Valley, and returned to the fort. 

Pittsburgh was at this time a trading post, about which was clus- 
tered a village of some twenty houses, inhabited by Indian traders. This 
same year, Capt. Pittman visited Kaskaskia and its neighboring villages. 
He found there about sixty-five resident families, and at Cahokia only 
forty-five dwellings. At Fort Chartres was another small settlement, and 
at Detroit the garrison were quite prosperous and strong. For a 3-ear 
□rr two settlers continued to locate near some of these posts, generally 
Fort Pitt or Detroit, owing to the fears of the Indians, who still main- 
tained some feelings of hatred to the English. The trade from the posts 
was quite good, and from those in Illinois large quantities of pork and 
flour found their way to the New Orleans market. At this time the 
policy of the British Government was strongly opposed to the extension 
af the colonies west. In 1763, the King of England forbade, by royal 
proclamation, his colonial subjects from making a settlement beyond the 
sources of the rivers which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. At the instance 
3f the Board of Trade, measures were taken to prevent the settlement 
without the limits prescribed, and to retain the commerce within easy 
reach of Great Britain. 

The commander-in-chief of the king's forces wrote in 1769 : " In the 
course of a few years necessity will compel the colonists, should they 
extend their settlements west, to provide manufactures of some kind for 
themselves, and when all connection upheld by commerce with the mother 
country ceases, an independency in their government will soon follow." 

In accordance with this policy, Gov. Gage issued a proclamation 
in 1772, commanding the inhabitants of Vincennes to abandon their set- 
tlements and join some of the Eastern English colonies. To this they 



46 THK BTORTHWE8T TERRITORY. 

strenuously objected, giving good reasons therefor, and were allowed to 
remain. The strong opposition to this policy of Great Britain led to its 
ohange, and to snch a course as to gain the attachment of the French 
population. In December, ITT"., influential citizens of Quebec petitioned 
the king for an extension of the boundary lines of that province, which 

granted, and Parliament passed an act on June -. 177-4, extend- 
ing the boundary so as to includi rritory lying within the present 
St.it,--, of ( >hio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. 

In consequence of the liberal policy pursued by the British Govern- 
ment toward the French settlers in the West, they were disposed to favor 
that nation in the war which soon followed with the colonies; hut the 
)r alliance between Prance and America soon brought them to the side 
of the war for independence. 

In 177 1. ( S-ov. Dunmore, of Virginia, began to encourage emigration 
to the Western lands. He appointed magistrates at Fort Pitt undei the 
pretense that the fort was undei the government of that commonwealth. 
< me of these just ices, John ( ionnelly, who possessed a tract of land in the 
Ohio Valley, gathered a force of men and garrisoned the fort, calling it 
Fori Dunmore. This and other parties were formed to Belect Bites for 
settlements, and often came in conflict with the Indians, who yet claimed 
portions of the valley, and several battles followed. These ended in the 
famous battle of Kanawha in July, where the Indians were defeated and 
driven across the < mio. 

During the years 1775 and 1776, by the operations of land companies 
and the | ance of individuals, several settlements were firmly estab- 

lished between ths Alleghanies and the Ohio River, and western land 
Bpeculat busy in Illinois and on the Wabash. At a council held 

in Kaskaskia on July 5, 177;'., an association of English traders, calling 
themselves the "Illinois Land Company,*' obtained from ten chiefs of the 
l\ ikaskia, Cahokia and Peoria tribes two large tracts of land lying on 
the east side of the Mississippi River south of the Illinois. In 1775, a mer- 
chant from the Illinois Country, named Viviat. came to Post Yimeniies 
as tl of tie' in called the " Wabash Land Company." On 

the 8th of ( October he obtained from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs, a <\<'n\ for 
87,497,600 acres of land. This i\K.^'d was Bigned by the grantors, attested 
by a number of the inhabitants of Vincennes, and afterward recorded in 
the office of a notary public a; Kaskaskia. This and other land com- 
panies had extensive schemes lor the colonization of the West : but all 
were frustrated by the breaking out of the Revolution. On the "J<uh of 
April, 17 v <". the two companies named consolidated under the name of the 
"United Illinois and Wabash Land Company." They afterward made 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 47 

strenuous efforts to have these grants sanctioned by Congress, but all 
signally failed. 

When the War of the Revolution commenced, Kentucky was an unor- 
ganized country, though there were several settlements within her borders. 

In Hutchins' Topography of Virginia, it is stated that at that time 
" Kaskaskia contained 80 houses, and nearly 1,000 white and black in- 
habitants — the whites being a little the more numerous. Cahokia con- 
tains 50 houses and 300 white inhabitants, and 80 negroes. There were 
east of the Mississippi River, about the } T ear 1771 " — when these observa- 
tions were made — " 300 white men capable of bearing arms, and 230 
negroes." 

From 1775 until the expedition of Clark, nothing is recorded and 
nothing known of these settlements, save what is contained in a report 
made by a committee to Congress in June, 1778. From it the following 
extract is made : 

"Near the mouth of the River Kaskaskia, there is a village which 
appears to have contained nearly eighty families from the beginning of 
the late revolution. There are twelve families in a small village at la 
Prairie du Rochers, and near fifty families at the Kahokia Village. There 
are also four or five families at Fort Chartres and St. Philips, which is five 
miles further up the river." 

St. Louis had been settled in February, 1764, and at this time con- 
tained, including its neighboring towns, over six hundred whites and one 
hundred and fifty negroes. It must be remembered that all the country 
west of the Mississippi was now under French rule, and remained so until 
ceded again to Spain, its original owner, who afterwards sold it and the 
country including New Orleans to the United States. At Detroit there 
were, according to Capt. Carver, who was in the Northwest from 1 706 to 
1768, more than one hundred houses, and the river was settled for more 
than twenty miles, although poorly cultivated — the people being engaged 
in the Indian trade. This old town has a history, which we will here 
relate. 

It is the oldest town in the Northwest, having been founded by 
Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac, in 1701. It was laid out in the form of an 
oblong square, of two acres in length, and an acre and a half in width. 
As described by A. D. Frazer, who first visited it and became a permanent 
resident of the place, in 1778, it comprised within its limits that space 
between Mr. Palmer's store (Conant Block) and Capt. Perkins' house 
(near the Arsenal building), and extended back as far as the public barn, 
and was bordered in front by the Detroit River. It was surrounded by 
oak and cedar pickets, about fifteen feet long, set in the ground, and had 
four gates — east, west, north and south. Over the first three of these 



j* THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

block houses provided with four guns apiece, each a six- 

pounder. Two Bix-gun batteries were planted fronting the river and in ■ 

parallel direction with the block houses. There werefoui i running 

and irest, the main street being twenty feet wide and therest fif 

. while the four b w at right angles were from ten 

U) fii I in width. 

A dab spoken of by Mr. Frazer, there was no fort within the 

enclosure, hut a citadel <m the ground corresponding to the present 
northwest corner of J ■ Avenue and Wayne Street. The citadel was 

inclosed by pickets, and within it \i I barracks of wood, two 

stories high, Bufficien atain ten officers, and also barracks sufficient 

to contain four hundre 1 men, and a provision stoic built of brick. The 
citadel also contained a hospital and guard-house. The old town of 
Detroit, in 1778, contained about sixty houses, most of them one story, 
with a I iry and a half in height. They were all of logs, some 

hewn and Borne round. There was one building of Bplendid appearance, 
called the " King's Palace," two stories high, which stood near the east 
. 1 1 was built for ( rovernor Hamilton, the first governor commissioned 
by the British. There were t wo guard-houses, one near the west gate and 
the other near the Government House. Each of the guards consisted of 
twenty-four men and a subaltern, who mounted regularly everjj morning 
between nine and ten o'clock, Bach furnished four Bentinels, who v. 
relie ry two hours. There was also an officer of the day. who p r- 

form I duiy. Each of I - was shut regularly at Bun 

even wii were shut at nine o'clock, and all the k< 

■ ands of the commanding officer. They were opened 

in the morning at Bunri Indian or squaw was permitted to enter 

town with any weapon, Buch as a tomahawk or a knife. It was a stand- 
ing order that the Indians should deliver their arms and instruments of 
y kind before they were permitted to pass the Bentinel,and they \\ ere 
ired to them on their return. No more than twenty-five Indians were 
allowed to enter the town at any one time, and they were admitted only 
at the east and w< A mdown the drums beat, and all the 

Indian- vi [uired to leave town instantly. There was a council ho 

near the water side for the purpose of holding council with the Indian.-. 
The population of the town was ah on; >i\ty families, in all about two 
hundred males a This town was destroyed by 

lire, all i one dwelling, in l v "o. After which the presenl "new" 

town was laid OUt. 

On the breaking out of the Revolution, the British held every post of 
importance in the W< it. Kentucky was formed as a component part of 
Virginia, and the Bturdy pioneers of the West, alive to their inter* 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 49 

and recognizing the great benefits of obtaining the control of the trade in 
this part of the New World, held steadily to their purposes, and those 
within the commonwealth of Kentucky proceeded to exercise their 
civil privileges, by electing John Todd and Richard Grallaway, 
burgesses to represent them in the Assembly of the parent state. 
Early in September of that year (1777) the first court was held 
in Harrodsburg, and Col. Bowman, afterwards major, who had arrived 
in August, was made the commander of a militia organization which 
had been commenced the March previous. Thus the tree of loyalty 
was growing. The chief spirit in this far-out colony, who had represented 
her the year previous east of the mountains, was now meditating a move 
unequaled in its boldness. He had been watching the movements of the 
British throughout the Northwest, and understood their whole plan. Ht 
saw it was through their possession of the posts at Detroit, Vincennes, 
Kaskaskia, and other places, which would give them constant and easy 
access to the various Indian tribes in the Northwest, that the British 
intended to penetrate the country from the north and soutn, ana annihi- 
late the frontier fortresses. This moving, energetic man was Colonel, 
afterwards General, George Rogers Clark. He knew the Indians were not 
unanimously in accord with the English, and he was convinced that, could 
the British be defeated and expelled from the Northwest, the natives 
might be easily awed into neutrality ; and by spies sent for the purpose. 
he satisfied himself that the enterprise against the Illinois settlements 
might easily succeed. Having convinced himself of the certainty of the 
project, he repaired to the Capital of Virginia, which place he reached on 
November 5th. While he was on his way, fortunately, on October 17th. 
Burgoyne had been defeated, and the spirits of the colonists greatly 
encouraged thereby. Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia, and at 
once entered heartily into Clark's plans. The same plan had before been 
agitated in the Colonial Assemblies, but there was no one until Clark 
came who was sufficiently acquainted with the condition of affairs at the 
scene of action to be able to guide them. 

Clark, having satisfied the Virginia leaders of the feasibility of his 
plan, received, on the 2d of January, two sets of instructions — one secret, 
the other open — the latter authorized him to proceed to enlist seven 
companies to go to Kentucky, subject to his orders, and to serve three 
months from their arrival in. the West. The secret order authorized him 
to arm these troops, to procure his powder and lead of General Hand 
at Pittsburgh, and to proceed at once to subjugate the country. 

With these instructions Clark repaired to Pittsburgh, choosing rathei 
to raise his men west of the mountains, as he well knew all were needed 
in the colonies in the conflict there. He sent Col. W. B. Smith to Hoi- 



THE NORTHWEST TEBR1T0&Y. 

ston for the same purpose, bat neith- eded in raising the required 

Dumber of men. The settlers in these parts were afraid to leave their 
own firesides exposed to a vigilanl foe, and but few could be induced to 
join the proposed expedition. With three companies and several private 
voluntei . I rk at Length commenced his descent of the Ohio, which he 
navigated as far as the Falls, where he took possession of and fortified 
Corn [sland, a >mall island between the present* Cities of Louisville, 
Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana. Remains of this fortification may 
yet be found. At this place he appointed Col. Bowman to meet him 
with such recruit- as had reached Kentucky by the southern route, and 
as many as could be -pared from the station. Here he announced to 

the men their real destination. Having completed his arrangements, 
and chosen his party, he left a small garrison upon the island, and on the 
24th of June, during a total eclipse of the sun. which to them augured 
do good, and which fixes beyond dispute the date of starting, he with 
his cho>en band, fell down the river. His plan was to go by water as 
far as Fort Massac or Massacre, and thence march direct to Kaskaskia. 
Here he intended to surprise the garrison, and after its capture goto 
Cahokia, then to Vincennes, and lastly to Detroit. Should he fail, he 
intended to march directly to the .Mississippi River and cross it into the 
Spanish country. Before his start he received two good items of infor- 
mation : one that the alliance had been formed between France and the 
United States: and the other that the Indians throughout the Illinois 
country and the inhabitants, at the various frontier posts, had been led to 
believe by the British that the •• Long Knives" or Virginians, were the 
in"-' fierce, bloodthirsty and cruel savages that ever scalped a foe. With 
this impression on their minds. (Mark saw that proper management would 

Cause them to sul unit at once from fear, if surprised, and then from grati- 
tude would heconie friendly if treated with unexpected leniency. 

The march to Kaskaskia was accomplished through a hot July sun. 
and the town reached on the evening of .Inly 4. He captured the fort 

near the village, and SOOD after the village itself by surprise, and without 

the loss of a single man or by killing any of the enemy. After sufficiently 

working upon the fears of the natives, ('lark told them they were at per- 
fect liberty to worship as they pleased, and t<> take whichever Bide of the 

•iilict they would, also he would protect them from any barbarity 
from British or Indian foe. This had the desired effect, and the inhab- 
itants, bo unexpectedly and bo gratefully surprised by the unlooked 
for turn of affairs, at once swore allegiance to the American arms, and 
when ("lark desired to go to Cahokia on the 6th of July, they accom- 
panied him. and through their influence the inhabitants of the place 

surrendered, ami gladly placed themselves under his protection. Thus 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 51 

the two important posts in Illinois passed from the hands of the English 
into the possession of Virginia. 

In the person of the priest at Kaskaskia, M. Gibault, Clark found a 
powerful ally and generous friend. Clark saw that, to retain possession 
of the Northwest and treat successfully with the Indians within its boun- 
daries, he must establish a government for the colonies he had taken. 
St. Vincent, the next important post to Detroit, remained yet to be taken 
before the Mississippi Valley was conquered. M. Gibault told him that 
he would alone, by persuasion, lead Vincennes to throw off its connection 
with England. Clark gladly accepted his offer, and on the 14th of July, 
in company with a fellow-townsman, M. Gibault started on his mission of 
peace, and on the 1st of August returned with the cheerful intelligence 
that the post on the " Oubache " had taken the oath of allegiance to 
the Old Dominion. During this interval, Clark established his courts, 
placed garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, successfully re-enlisted his 
men, sent word to have a fort, which proved the germ of Louisville, 
erected at the Falls of the Ohio, and dispatched Mr. Rocheblave, who 
had been commander at Kaskaskia, as a prisoner of war to Richmond. 
In October the County of Illinois was established by the Legislature 
of Virginia, John Todd appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor, 
and in November General Clark and his men received the thanks of 
the Old Dominion through their Legislature. 

In a speech a few days afterward, Clark made known fully to the 
natives his plans, and at its close all came forward and swore alle- 
giance to the Long Knives. While he was doing this Governor Hamilton, 
having made his various arrangements, had left Detroit and moved down 
the Wabash to Vincennes intending to operate from that point in reducing 
the Illinois posts, and then proceed on down to Kentucky and drive the 
rebels from the West. Gen. Clark had, on the return of M. Gibault, 
dispatched Captain Helm, of Fauquier County, Virginia, with an attend- 
ant named Henry, across the Illinois prairies to command the fort. 
Hamilton knew nothing of the capitulation of the post, and was greatly 
surprised on his arrival to be confronted by Capt. Helm, who, standing at 
the entrance of the fort by a loaded cannon ready to fire upon his assail- 
ants, demanded upon what terms Hamilton demanded possession of the 
fort. Being granted the rights of a prisoner of war, he surrendered to 
the British General, who could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the 
force in the garrison. 

Hamilton, not realizing the character of the men with whom \w was 
contending, gave up his intended campaign for the Winter, sent his four 
hundred Indian warriors to prevent troops from coming down the Ohio, 



THE NORTHWEST TEBBTIOBY. 

and to annoy the Americans in all ways, and sat qnietly down to pass the 
Winter, [nformation of all these proceedings having reached (Murk, he 
saw that immediate and decisive action was accessary, and that un 
he captured Hamilton. Hamilton would capture him. Clark received the 
news on the 29th of January, 177'.'. ami on February 4th, having suffi- 
atly garrisoned Kaskaskia and Cahokia, he sent down the Mississippi 

a " batfo Major Bowman writes it. in order to ascend the Ohio and 

Wabash, and operate with the land forces gathering for the fray. 

On the next day, Clark, with his little force of one hundred and 
twenty men. Bet out for the post, and after incredible hard marching 
through much mud, the ground being thawed by the incessant spring 
rains, on the 22d reached the fort, and being joined by his "battoe," at 
once commenced the attack on the post. The aim of the American back- 
woodsman was unerring, and on the 24th the garrison surrendered to the 
intrepid boldness <<( Clark. The French were treated with great kind- 
ness, ami gladly renewed their allegiance to Virginia. Hamilton was 
-cut as a prisoner to Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement. 

During hi- command of the British frontier posts, he had offered p: 
to the Indians for all the scalps of Americans they would bring to him, 
and had earned in consequence thereof the title •• Hair-buyer General," 
by which he was ever afterward known. 

D troit was now without doubt within easy reach of the enterprising 
Virginian, could he but raise the necessary force. Governor Henry being 
apprised of this, promised him the needed reinforcement, and Clark con- 
cluded to wait until he could capture and sufficiently garrison the p 

II. id Clark failed in this hold undertaking, and Hamilton succeeded in 

uniting the western Indians for the next Spring's campaign, the W 

would indeed have heen swept from the Mississippi to the Allegheny 

Mountains, and the greal blow struck, which had been contemplated from 
the commencement, by the British. 

•• Bui for this Mnall army of dripping, hut fearless Virginians, the 
union of all the tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies might 

have been effected, ami the whole current of our history changed/ 1 

V this time some fears were entertained hy t he Colonial < Jovern- 

mente that the Indians in the North and Northwest were inclining to the 

British, and under the instruct ion-. «.f Washington, now Commander-in- 
Chief of the Colonial army, ami bo bravely fighting for American inde- 
pendence, armed forces wer< ainst the six Nations, ami upon the 
Ohio frontier, Ool. Bowman, acting under the same general's orders, 
marched against Indians within the present limits of that State. These 

expeditions were in the main BUCCes&fuL, and the Indians were compelled 

,c for p< 



THE NORTHWEST TBKK1TOBY. 5 3 

During this same year (1779) the famous " Land Laws" of Virginia 
were passed. The passage of these laws was of more consequence to the 
pioneers of Kentucky and the Northwest than the gaining of a few Indian 
conflicts. These laws confirmed in main all grants made, and guaranteed 
to all actual settlers their rights and privileges. After providing for the 
settlers, the laws provided for selling the balance of the public lands at 
forty cents per acre. To carry the Land Laws into effect, the Legislature 
sent four Virginians westward to attend to the various claims, over many 
of which great confusion prevailed concerning their validity. These 
gentlemen opened their court on October 13, 1779, at St. Asaphs, and 
continued until April 26, 1780, when they adjourned, having decided 
three thousand claims. They were succeeded by the surveyor, who 
came in the person of Mr. George May, and assumed his duties on the 
10th day of the month whose name he bore. With the opening of the 
next year (1780) the troubles concerning the navigation of the Missis- 
sippi commenced. The Spanish Government exacted such measures in 
relation to its trade as to cause the overtures made to the United States 
to be rejected. The American Government considered they had a right 
to navigate its channel. To enforce their claims, a fort was erected below 
the mouth of the Ohio on the Kentucky side of the river. The settle- 
ments in Kentucky were being rapidly filled by emigrants. It was dur- 
ing this year that the first seminary of learning was established in the 
West in this young and enterprising Commonwealth. 

The settlers here did not look upon the building of this fort in a 
friendly manner, as it aroused the hostility of the Indians. Spain had 
been friendly to the Colonies during their struggle for independence, 
and though for a while this friendship appeared in danger from the 
refusal of the free navigation of the river, yet it was finally settled to the 
satisfaction of both nations. 

The Winter of 1779-80 was one of the most unusually severe ones 
ever experienced in the West. The Indians always referred to it as the 
"Great Cold." Numbers of wild animals perished, and not a few 
pioneers lost their lives. The following Summer a party of Canadians 
and Indians attacked St. Louis, and attempted to take possession of it 
in consequence of the friendly disposition of Spain to the revolting 
colonies. They met with such a determined resistance on the part of the 
inhabitants, even the women taking part in the battle, that they were 
compelled to abandon the contest. They also made an attack on the 
settlements in Kentucky, but, becoming alarmed in some unaccountable 
manner, they fled the country in great haste. 

About this time arose the question in the Colonial Congress con- 
cerning the western lands claimed by Virginia, New York, Massachusetts 



54 THE ITORTHWBST TERRITORY. 

and Connecticut, The agitation concerning this subject finally led New 
York, od the 19th of February, 1780, to pass a law giving to tin- dele- 
- of !!, r. State in Congress the power to cede her western lands for 
the benefit of th- United States. This law was laid before Congi 
during the next month, but no steps were taken concerning it until Sep- 
tember 6th, when a resolution passed that body calling upon the S 
claiming western lands to release their claims in favor of the whole body. 
This basj aion,andwa8 the first after all of those legislal 

measures which resulted in the creation of the States of Ohio, Indiana. 
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In December of the same 
year, the plan of conquering Detroit again arose. The conquest might 
I i isily he. mi effected by Clark had the necessary aid been furnished 
him. Xothin"- derisive was done, vet tie- heads of the Government knew 
that the sat'rtv of tie' Northwest from British invasion lay in the capture 
ami retention of that important post, the only unconquered one in the 
territory. 

Before the close of tie- year, Kentucky was divided into the Coun- 
ties of Lincoln, Fayette ami Jefferson, and the act establishing the Town 

of Louisville was passed. This same year is also noted in the annals of 
American history as the year in which occurred Arnold's treason to the 
United Stat< 

Virginia, in accordance with the resolution of Congress, on the 2d 
day of January, 17*1, agreed to yield her western lands to the United 

States upon certain conditions, which Congress would not acc.-de to, and 
tin- Act of Cession, on the part of the Old Dominion, failed, nor was 
anything farther done until 1788. During all that time the Colonies 
were busily engaged in the Btruggle with the mother country, and in 
consequence there. if hut little heed was given to the western settlements. 
Upon the loth of April. 17*1, tin- first birth north of the Ohio River of 

American parents iccurred, being that iA' Mary Heckewelder, daughter 

of the widely known Moravian missionary, whose hand of Christian 

Indians Buffered in after years a horrible massacre by the hands of the 

frontier settlers, who had been exasperated by the murder of several of 
their neighbors, and in their rage committed, without regard to hum. i 

a deed which forever afterwards cast a shade of shame upon their 1 

1 : this and kindred outrages on the part of the whites, the Indians 

committed many deeds of cruelty which darken the yean of 1771 and 

177:1 in the history of the North'.' 

During the year 17 s ^ a number of battles among the Indians and 

frontiersmen occurred, and between the .Moravian Indians and the Wyan- 
dots. In these, horrible acts of cruelty were practised on the capl 

many of such dark deeds transpiring under the leadership of the notorious 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



55 



frontier outlaw, Simon Girty, whose name, as well as those of his brothers, 
was a terror to women and children. These occurred chiefly in the Ohio 
valleys. Cotemporary with them were several engagements in Kentucky, 
in which the famous Daniel Boone engaged, and who, often by his skill 
and knowledge of Indian warfare, saved the outposts from cruel destruc- 




INDLANS ATTACKING FRONTIERSMEN. 

tion. By the close of the year victory had perched upon the American 
banner, and on the 30th of November, provisional articles of peace had 
been arranged between the Commissioners of England and her uncon- 
querable colonies. Cornwallis had been defeated on the 19th of October 
preceding, and the liberty of America was assured. On the 19th ol 
April following, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, peace was 



mi: Nui:ni\vi>.i' TERRITORY. 

proclaimed to the army of tIm* United States, ami on the 2d of tin- next 
Septemb definite treaty which ended our revolutionary stru 

was concluded. By the terms of that treaty, the boundaries of the W 
were as follows : < m tlie north the line was to extend along the center of 
the Great Lakes; from the western point of Lake Superior to Long Lake; 
thence to the Lake of the Woods; thence to the head of the Mississippi 
River: down its center to the 81s< parallel of latitude then on that line 

to tlie head of the Appalachicola River ; down its center to its junc- 
tion with the Flint ; thence Btraight to the head of St. Mary's River, and 
thence down along its center to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Following the cessation of hostilities with England, several | 
U occupied by the British in the North and West. Among these 
was Detroit, still in the hands of the enemy. Numerous engagemi 

with the Indians throughout Ohio and Indiana occurred, Upon wh 

lands adventurous whites would settle ere the title had been acquired by 

the proper treaty. 

To remedy this latter evil. Congress appointed commissioners to 

treat with the natives and purchase their lands, and prohibited the set- 

tlement of the territory until this could he done. Before the dose of the 
year another attempt was made to capture Detroit, which was. however, 
not pushed, and Virginia, no longer feeling the Interest in the North 
>he had formerly done, withdrew her troops, having on the 20th of 
I »■ sember preceding authorized the whole of her possessions to he deeded 

to the United States. This was done on the Is! of March foil. .win-, and 

the Northwest Territory passed from the control..!' the Old Dominion. 
To Gen. < lark and his soldiers, however, she gave a tract of one hundred 
and fifty thousand acres of land, to he situated any where north of the 
Ohio wherever they chose to locate them. They selected ti 
opposite the falls of the Ohio, where is now the dilapidated village of 
Clarksville, about midway between the Cities of New Albany and Jeffer- 

BOnville, Indiana. 

While the frontier remained thus, and Gen. Haldimaiid at Detroit 

refused to evacuate alleging that he had no orders from his King to do 

BO, settlers were rapidly gathering al.oiit the inland forts. In the Spring 

of 1784, Pittsburgh < ilarly laid out, and from the journal of Arthur 

. who passed through the town soon after on his way to the Indian 
council at Fo M fntosh, we suppose i; was nol very prepo g in 

appearance. 11 

•• Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by $oots and Irish, who 

live in paltry log houses, ami an- as dirty as if in the north of Ireland or 

even Scotland. There is a great deal of trade carried on, the goods being 
bought at the vast expense of forty-live shillings per pound from Phila- 









THE NORTHWEST TBEEITOEY. 57 

delphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops flour, wheat, skins and 
money. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and not a 
priest of any persuasion, nor church nor chapel." 

Kentucky at this time contained thirty thousand inhabitants, and 
was beginning to discuss measures for a separation from Virginia. A 
land office was opened at Louisville, and measures were adopted to take 
defensive precaution against the Indians who were yet, in some instances, 
incited to deeds of violence by the British. Before the close of this year, 
1784, the military claimants of land began to occupy them, although no 
entries were recorded until 1787. 

The Indian title to the Northwest was not yet extinguished. They 
held large tracts of lands, and in order to prevent bloodshed Congress 
adopted means for treaties with the original owners and provided for the 
surveys of the lands gained thereby, as well as for those north of the 
Ohio, now in its possession. On January 31, 1786, a treaty was made 
with the Wabash Indians. The treaty of Fort Stanwix had been made 
in 1784. That at Fort Mcintosh in 1785, and through these much land 
was gained. The Wabash Indians, however, afterward refused to comply 
with the provisions of the treaty made with them, and in order to compel 
their adherence to its provisions, force was used. Daring the year 1786, 
the free navigation of the Mississippi came up in Congress, and caused 
various discussions, which resulted in no definite action, only serving to 
excite speculation in regard to the western lands. Congress had promised 
bounties of land to the soldiers of the Revolution, but owing to the 
unsettled condition of affairs along the Mississippi respecting its naviga- 
tion, and the trade of the Northwest, that body had, in 1783, declared 
its inability to fulfill these promises until a treaty could be concluded 
between the two Governments. Before the close of the year 1786, how- 
ever, it was able, through the treaties with the Indians, to allow some 
grants and the settlement thereon, and on the 14th of September Con- 
necticut ceded to the General Government the tract of land known as 
the "Connecticut Reserve," and before the close of the following year a 
large tract of land north of the Ohio was sold to a company, who at once 
took measures to settle it. By the provisions of this grant, the company 
were to pay the United States one dollar per acre, subject to a deduction 
of one-third for bad lands and other contingencies. They received 
750,000 acres, bounded on the south by the Ohio, on the east by the 
seventh range of townships, on the west by the sixteenth range, and on 
the north by a line so drawn as to make the grant complete without 
the reservations. In addition to this, Congress afterward granted 100,000 
acres to actual settlers, and 214,285 acres as army bounties under the 
resolutions of 1780 and 1790. 



58 



IHl. NOIM'HWKST TKRRITORY. 



While Dr. Cutler, one ol tin- agents of the company, was pressing 
its claims before Congress, that body was bringing into form an ordinance 
for the political and social organization <>t' this Territory. When the 
made by Virginia, in 17>4, a plan was offered, but rejected. 
A motion had been made t<> Btrike from the proposed plan tin- prohibition 
slavery, which prevailed. The plan was then discussed and altered, 
and finally passed unanimously, with the exception of South Carolina. 
By this proposition, the Territory was to have been divided into states 




OF LAKE - 1 Kl.l 1 BRIDGE, ( ill' AGO, 1 .\ 



by parallels and meridian lines. This, it was thought, would make ten 
states, which wit.- to have been earned as follows — beginning at the 
northwesl corner and join,; southwardly: Sylvania, Michigania, Cher* 
son. . \ senisipia, Metropotamia, [Uenoia, S :. Washington, Poly- 

potamia and Pelisipia. 

There waa a more serious objection to this plan than its category of 
aames, — the boundaries. The root of the difficulty was in the resolu- 
tion of Congress passed in < October, L780, which fixed the hound, 
of the ceded lands to be from our hundred to one hundred and fifty miles 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. _3y 

square. These resolutions being presented to the Legislatures of Vir- 
ginia and Massachusetts, they desired a change, and in July. L786j the 
subject was taken up in Congress, and changed to favor a division into 
not more than five states, and not less than three. This was approved by 
the State Legislature of Virginia. The subject of the Government Mas 
again taken up by Congress in 1786, and discussed throughout that year 
and until July, 1787, when the famous "Compact of 1787" was passed, 
and the foundation of the government of the Northwest laid. This com- 
pact is fully discussed and explained in the history of Illinois in this book, 
and to it the reader is referred. 

The passage of this act and the grant to the New England Company 
was soon followed by an application to the Government by John Cleves 
Symmes, of New Jersey, for a grant of the land between the Miamis. 
This gentleman had visited these lands soon after the treaty of 178(3, and, 
being greatly pleased with them, offered similar terms to those given to the 
New England Company. The petition was referred to the Treasury 
Board with power to act, and a contract was concluded the following 
year. During the Autumn the directors of the New England Company 
were preparing to occupy their grant the following Spring, and upon the 
23d of November made arrangements for a party of forty-seven men, 
under the superintendency of Gen. Rufus Putnam, to set forward. Six 
boat-builders were to leave at once, and on the first of January the sur- 
veyors and their assistants, twenty-six in number, were to meet at Hart- 
ford and proceed on their journey westward ; the remainder to follow as 
soon as possible. Congress, in the meantime, upon the 3d of October, 
had ordered seven hundred troops for defense of the western settlers, and 
to prevent unauthorized intrusions ; and two days later appointed Arthur 
St. Clair Governor of the Territory of the Northwest. 

AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS. 

The civil organization of the Northwest Territory was now com- 
plete, and notwithstanding the uncertainty of Indian affairs, settlers from 
the East began to come into the country rapidly. The New England 
Company sent their men during the Winter df 1787-8 pressing on over 
the Alleghenies by the old Indian path which had been opened into 
Braddock's road, and which has since been made a national turnpike 
from Cumberland westward. Through the weary winter days they toiled 
on, and by April were all gathered on the Yohiogany, where boats had 
been built, and at once started for the Muskingum. Here they arrived 
on the 7th of that month, and unless the Moravian missionaries be regarded 
as the pioneers of Ohio, this little band can justly claim that honor. 






THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY 



I ■ q. St. Glair, the appointed Governor of the Norths -st. not having 
vet arrived, a Bel of laws were passed, written out, and published by 
being nailed to a tree in the embryo town, and Jonathan Meigs appointed 
t<> administer them. 

Washington in writing of this, the first American settlement in the 
Northwest, Baid: "No colony in America was ever settled under 
such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at Muskingum. 
Information, property and Btrength will be its characteristics. I know 
many of its settlers personally, and there never were men better calcu- 
lated tn promote the welfare of Buch a community." 




•*.. 








>-oj: 









\ !•!■ i\ I I i: DWELLING. 



On the 2d of July a meeting of the directors and agents was held 
mi the banks of the Muskingum, " for the purpose of naming the new- 
born city and its squares.* 1 As yel the settlement was known as the 
"Muskingum," but thai was nowchanged to the name Marietta, in honor 
of Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the block-houses stood 
was called "Camput Martin*;" square number 19, "Capitolium;" Bquare 
number 61, " Cecilia ;*' andthegreal road through the covert way, " s 
I'ti." Two days after, an oration was delivered by James M. Varnum, 
win. with S. II. Persons and John Armstrong had been appointed to the 
judicial bench of the territory on the 16th of October, 1787. On July9, 
Gov. St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume form. The act 
of 17^7 provided two districl grades of government for the Norths 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. Gl 

under the first of which the whole power was invested in the hands of a 
governor and three district judges. This was immediately formed upon 
the Governor's arrival, and the first laws of the colony passed on the 25th 
of July. These provided for the organization of the militia, and on the 
next day appeared the Governor's proclamation, erecting all that country 
that had been ceded by the Indians east of the Scioto River into the 
County of Washington. From that time forward, notwithstanding the 
doubts yet existing as to the Indians, all Marietta prospered, and on the 
2d of September the first court of the territory was held with imposing 
ceremonies. 

The emigration westward at this time was very great. The com- 
mander at Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Muskingum, reported four 
thousand five hundred persons as having passed that post between Feb- 
ruary and June, 1788 — many of whom would have purchased of the 
"Associates," as the New England Company was called, had they been 
ready to receive them. 

On the 26th of November, 1787, Symmes issued a pamphlet stating 
the terms of his contract and the plan of sale he intended to adopt. In 
January, 1788, Matthias Denman, of New Jersey, took an active interest 
in Symmes' purchase, and located aniong other tracts the sections upon 
which Cincinnati has been built. Retaining one-third of this locality, he 
sold the other two-thirds to Robert Patterson and John Filson, and the 
three, about August, commenced to lay out a town on the spot, which 
was designated as being opposite Licking River, to the mouth of which 
they proposed to have a road cut from Lexington. The naming of the 
town is thus narrated in the "Western Annals " : — " Mr. Filson, who had 
been a schoolmaster, was appointed to name. the town, and, in respect to 
its situation, and as if with a prophetic perception of the mixed race that 
were to inhabit it in after days, he named it Losantiville, which, being 
interpreted, means : ville, the town ; anti, against or opposite to ; os, the 
mouth ; L. of Licking." 

Meanwhile, in July. Symmes got thirty persons and eight four-horse 
teams under way for the West. These reached Limestone (now Mays- 
ville) in September, where were several persons from Redstone. Here 
Mr. Symmes tried to found a settlement, but the great freshet of 1789 
caused the " Point,'" as it was and is yet called, to be fifteen feet under 
water, and the settlement to be abandoned. The little band of settlers 
removed to the mouth of the Miami. Before Symmes and his colony left 
the ,k Point," two settlements had been made on his purchase. The first 
was by Mr. Stiltes, the original projector of the whole plan, who, with a 
colony of Redstone people, had located at the mouth of the Miami, 
whither Symmes went with his Maysville colony. Here a clearing had 



- 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



d made by the [ndiana owing to the great fertility of the soil. Mr. 
Stiltes with his colony came to this place on the l s th of November, 1788, 
with twenty-six persons, and, building a block-house, prepared to remain 
through tin- Winter. They named the settlement Columbia. Here they 
were kindly treated by the Indians, but Buffered greatly from the flood 
of 17 

On the 4th of March, 1789, the Constitution of the United States 
wnit into operation, and on April 30, G Washington was inaug- 

urated President of the American [mm. pi.-, and during the next Summer, 
an Indian war was commenced by the tribes north of the Ohio. The 

rident at Bret used pacific means; hut these failing, he sent General 
Harmer against the hostile tribes. He destroyed several villages, but 




i. \KR r.i.rrr. 

Blu ft Grounds on Lake Michigan, with one hundred and serenty reel ofgradu il 



was defeated in two battles, near the present City of Fort Wayne, 
Indiana. From this time till the close of 17'.»->. the principal events were 
the wars with the various In. ban tribes. In 1 T '.»**» . General St. Clair 

was appointed in command, and inarched against the Indians: but while 

he was encamped on ;l stream, the St. Mary, a branch of the Maumee, 
he was stacked and defeated with the loss of six hundred men. 

G oeral Wayne was now sent against the savages. In August, L794, 
he met them near the rapids of the Maumee, and gained a comp 
victory. This - . followed by vigorous measures, compelled the 

Indians to sue for peace, and on the 30th of July, the following year, the 
treatv of Greenville was Bigned by the principal chiefs, by which a La 
tract of country was eed. id to the United Stat 

Before proceeding in our narrative, we will pause to notice Fort 
Washington, elected in the early part of this waron the Bit I ncinnati. 

Nearly all of the great cities of the Northwest, ami indeed of the 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 6& 

whole country, have had their nuclei in those rude pioneer structures, 
known as forts or stockades. Thus Forts Dearborn, Washington, Pon- 
char train, mark the original sites of the now proud Cities of Chicago, 
Cincinnati and Detroit. So of most of the flourishing cities east and west 
of the Mississippi. Fort Washington, erected by Doughty in 1790, was a 
rude but highly interesting structure. It was composed of a number of 
strongly-built hewed log cabins. Those designed for soldiers' barracks 
were a story and a half high, while those composing the officers quarters 
were more imposing and more conveniently arranged and furnished. 
The whole were so placed as to form a hollow square, enclosing about an 
acre of ground, with a block house at each of the four angles. 

The logs for the construction of this fort were cut from the ground 
upon which it was erected. It stood between Third and Fourth Streets 
of the present city (Cincinnati) extending east of Eastern Row, now 
Broadway, which was then a narrow alley, and the eastern boundary of 
of the town as it was originally laid out. On the bank of the river, 
immediately in front of the fort, was an appendage of the fort, called the 
Artificer's Yard. It contained about two acres of ground, enclosed by 
small contiguous buildings, occupied by workshops and quarters of 
laborers. Within this enclosure there was a large two-story frame house, 
familiarly called the " Yellow House," built for the accommodation of 
the Quartermaster General. For many years this was the best finished 
and most commodious edifice in the Queen City. Fort Washington was 
for some time the headquarters of both the civil and military governments 
of the Northwestern Territory. 

Following the consummation of the treaty various gigantic land spec- 
ulations were entered into by different persons, who hoped to obtain 
from the Indians in Michigan and northern Indiana, large tracts of lands. 
These were generally discovered in time to prevent the outrageous 
schemes from being carried out, and from involving the settlers in war. 
On October 27, 1795, the treaty between the United States and Spain 
was signed, whereby the free navigation of the Mississippi was secured. 

No sooner had the treaty of 1795 been ratified than settlements began 
to pour rapidly into the West. The great event of the year 179G was the 
occupation of that part of the Northwest including Michigan, which was 
this year, under the provisions of the treaty, evacuated by the British 
forces. The United States, owing to certain conditions, did not feel 
justified in addressing the authorities in Canada in relation to Detroit 
and other frontier posts. When at last the British authorities were 
called to give them up, they at once complied, and General Wayne, who 
had done so much to preserve the frontier settlements, and who, before 
the year's close, sickened and died near Erie, transferred his head- 



g4 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY, 

rters to the neighborhood of the lakes, where a county named after 
him was formed, which included the northwest of Ohio, all of Michigan, 
and the northeast of [ndiana. During this same year settlements were 
formed at the present City of Chillicothe, along the Miami from Middle- 
town to Piqua, while in the more distant W( Lera and speculators 

m to appear in great numbers. In September, the City of Cleveland 
was laid out, and during the Summer and Autumn, Samuel Jackson and 
Jonathan Sharpless erected the first manufactory of paper — the "Red- 
stone Paper Mill" — in the West. St. Louis contained some seventy 
houses, and Detroit over three hundred, and along tin- river, contiguous 
to it, were more than three thousand inhabitants, mostly French Canadians, 
Indians and half-breeds, scarcely any Americans venturing yet into that 
part of the Northwest. 

Tin- election of re j >rese ii t a t i ves for the territory had taken p 

and on the 4th of February, 1799, they convened at Losantiville — now 
known as Cincinnati, having been named so by Gov. St. Clair, and 
considered the capital of the Territory — to nominate persons from whom 
the members of the Legislature were to be chosenin accordance with 
a previous ordinance. This nomination being made, the Assembly 
ad ourned until the I6tb of the following September. From those named 
the President selected as members of the council, Henry Vandenburg, 

of Vincenncs, Robert Oliver, of Marietta, James Findlay ami Jacob 

Burnett, of Cincinnati, and David Vance, of Vanceville. < >n the L6th 
of September the Territorial Legislature met, and on the 24th the two 
houses were duly organized, Henry Vandenburg being elected President 
of the Council. 

The message of Gov. St. Clair was addressed to the Legislature 
September 20th, and on < October 13 th that body elected as a dele-ate to 
Con Gen. Win. Henry Harrison, who received eleven of the votes 

b, being B majority of one over his opponent, Arthur St. Clair. SOU of 
I I d. St. Clair. 

The whole number of acts passed at this session, and approved by 
the Governor, were thirty-seven — eleven others were passed, but received 
his veto. The most important of those passed related to the militia, to 

the administration, and to taxation. ( >n the 19th <>l December this pro- 
tracted session of the fust Legislature in the West was closed, and on the 
30th of December the President nominated Charles Willing Bryd to the 
office of Secretary of the Territory >■;.-, V7m. Henry Harrison, elected to 
Con l - oate continued his nomination the next day. 



THE NOKTHWEST TERRITORY. 



DIVISION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

The increased emigration to the Northwest, the extent of the domain, 
and the inconvenient modes of travel, made it very difficult to conduct 
the ordinary operations of government, and rendered the efficient action 
of courts almost impossible. To remedy this, it was deemed advisable to 
divide the territory for civil purposes. Congress, in 1800, appointed a 
committee to examine the question and report some means for its solution. 
This committee, on the 3d of March, reported that : 

"In the three western countries there has been but one court having 
cognizance of crimes, in five years, and the immunity which offenders 
experience attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and abandoned crim- 
inals, and at the same time deters useful citizens from making settlements 
in such society. The extreme necessity of judiciary attention and assist- 
ance is experienced in civil as well as in criminal cases. * * * * To 
minister a remedy to these and other evils, it occurs to this committee 
that it is expedient that a division of said territory into two distinct and 
separate governments should be made ; and that such division be made 
by a line beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, running 
directly north until it intersects the boundary between the United States 
and Canada." 

The report was accepted by Congress, and, in accordance with its 
suggestions, that body passed an Act extinguishing the Northwest Terri- 
tory, which Act was approved May 7. Among its provisions were these : 

" That from and after July 4 next, all that part of the Territory of 
the United States northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the westward 
of a line beginning at a point on the Ohio, opposite to the mouth of the 
Kentucky River, and running thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north 
until it shall intersect the territorial line between the United States and 
Canada, shall, for the purpose of temporary government, constitute a 
separate territory, and be called the Indiana Territory." 

After providing for the exercise of the civil and criminal powers of 
the territories, and other provisions, the Act further provides: 

" That until it shall otherwise be ordered by the Legislatures of the 
said Territories, respectively, Chillicothe on the Scioto River shall be tin- 
seat of government of the Territory of the United States northwest of the 
Ohio River; and that St. Vincennes on the Wabash River shall be the 
seat of government for the Indiana Territory." 

Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison was appointed Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and entered upon his duties about a year later. Connecticut 
also about this time released her claims to the reserve, and in March a law 



66 THE NORTHWEST TEHK1TOKY. 

was passed accepting this cession. Settlements had been made upon 
thirty-five of the townships in the reserve, mills h;i<l been built, and Beven 
hundred miles of road cut in various directions. <>n the 3d of November 
the General Assembly met at Chillicothe. Near the close of the year, 
the first missionary of the Connecticut Reserve came, who found no 
township containing more than eleven families. It was upon the first of 
1 » tober that the secret treaty had been made between Napoleon and the 
King of Spain, whereby the latt< I to cede to France the province 

of Louisiana. 

In January, 1 S "J, the Assembly of the Northwestern Territory ohar- 
1 the college at Athens. Prom the earliest dawn of the western 
colonics, education was promptly provided for, and as early as 1787, 
newspapers were issued from Pittsburgh and Kentucky, and largely read 
throughout the frontier settlements. Before the close of this year, the 
Congress of the United States granted to the citizens of the Northwestern 
territory the formation of a State government. One of the provisions of 
the "compact of 1787" provided that whenever the number of inhabit- 
ants within prescribed limits exceeded 45,000, they should be entitled to 
s separate government. The prescribed limits of Ohio contained, from a 
jus taken to ascertain the legality of the act, more than that number, 
and on the 80th of April. I s ' 12, Congress passed the act defining its limits, 
and on the 29th of November the Constitution of the new State of < >hio, 
so oamed from the beautiful river forming its southern boundary, came 
into existence. The exact Limits of Lake Michigan were not then known. 

but the territory now included within the Male of Michigan was wholly 
within the territory Of Indiana. 

Gen. Harrison, while residing at Vincennes, made several treaties 
with the Indians, thereby gaining large tracts of lands. The next year is 
memorable in the history of the West for the purchase of Louisiana from 

France by the United States for ?1.~>.ihh)jhhi. Thus l>y a peaceful mode, 
the domain of the United States was extended over a large tract of 
country west of the Mississippi, and was for a time under the jurisdiction 
of the North ivernment, and. as has been mentioned in the early 

part of this narrative, was called the "New Northwest.'* The "limits 
of this history will not allow a description of its territory. The same year 
large grants of land were obtained from the Indians, and the House of 
Representatives of the n i 9 iteof <>hio signed a hi: ting the 

College Township in the distriot of Cincinnati. 

Before the close of the year. Gen. Harrison obtained additional 

grants of Lands from the various Indian nations in Indiana ami the present 
limits of Illinois, and on the InIi of August, L804, completed a treaty at 

St. Louis, whereby over 51,000, acres of lands were obtained from the 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 67 

aborigines. Measures were also taken to learn the condition of affairs in 
and about Detroit. 

C. Jouett, the Indian agent in Michigan, still a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory, reported as follows upon the condition of matters at that post: 

" The Town of Detroit. — The charter, which is for fifteen miles 
square, was granted in the time of Louis XIV. of France, and is now, 
from the best information I have been able to get, at Quebec. Of those 
two hundred and twenty-five acres, only four are occupied by the town 
and Fort Lenault. The remainder is a common, except twenty-four 
acres, which were added twenty years ago to a farm belonging to Win. 
Macomb. * * * A stockade incloses the town, fort and citadel. The 
pickets, as well as the public houses, are in a state of gradual decay. The 
streets are narrow, straight and regular, and intersect each other at right 
angles. The houses are, for the most part, low and inelegant." 

During this year, Congress granted a township of land for the sup- 
port of a college, and began to offer inducements for settlers in these 
wilds, and the country now comprising the State of Michigan began to 
fill rapidly with settlers along its southern borders. This same year, also, 
a law was passed organizing the Southwest Territory, dividing it into two 
portions, the Territory of New Orleans, which city was made the seat of 
government, and the District of Louisiana, which was annexed to the 
domain of Gen. Harrison. 

On the 11th of January, 1805, the Territory of Michigan was formed, 
Wm. Hull was appointed governor, with headquarters at Detroit, the 
change to take effect on June 30. On the 11th of that month, a fire 
occurred at Detroit, which destined almost every building in the place. 
When the officers of the new territory reached the post, they found it in 
ruins, and the inhabitants scattered throughout the country. Rebuild- 
ing, however, soon commenced, and ere long the town contained more 
houses than before the fire, and many of them much better built. 

While this was being done, Indiana had passed to the second grade 
of government, and through her General Assembly had obtained large 
tracts of land from the Indian tribes. To all this the celebrated Indian, 
Tecumthe or Tecumseh, vigorously protested, and it was the main cause 
of his attempts to unite the various Indian tribes in a conflict with the 
settlers. To obtain a full account of these attempts, the workings of the 
British, and the signal failure, culminating in the death of Tecumseh at 
the battle of the Thames, and the close of the war of 1812 in the Northwest, 
we will step aside in our story, and relate the principal events of his life, 
and his connection with this conflict. 



,> 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 




TECUM8EH, THE BHAWANOE CHIEFTAIH. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 69 



TECUMSEH, AND THE WAR OF 1812. 

This famous Indian chief was born about the year 1768, not far from 
the site of the present City of Piqua, Ohio. His father, Puckeshinwa, 
was a member of the Kisopok tribe of the Swanoese nation, and his 
mother, Methontaske, was a member of the Turtle tribe of the same 
people. They removed from Florida about the middle of the last century 
to the birthplace of Tecumseh. In 1774, his father, who had risen to be 
chief, was slain at the battle of Point Pleasant, and not long after Tecum- 
seh, by his bravery, became the leader of his tribe. In 1795 he was 
declared chief, and then lived at Deer Creek, near the site of the 
present City of Urbana. He remained here about one year, when he 
returned to Piqua, and in 1798, he went to White River, Indiana. In 
1805, he and his brother, Laulewasikan (Open Door), who had announced 
himself as a prophet, went to a tract of land on the Wabash River, given 
them by the Pottawatomies and Kickapoos. From this date the chief 
comes into prominence. He was now about thirty-seven years of age, 
was five feet and ten inches in height, was stoutly built, and possessed of 
enormous powers of endurance. His countenance was naturally pleas- 
ing, and he was, in general, devoid of those savage attributes possessed 
by most Indians. It is stated he could read and write, and had a confi- 
dential secretary and adviser, named Billy Caldwell, a half-breed, who 
afterward became chief of the Pottawatomies. He occupied the first 
house built on the site of Chicago. At this time, Tecumseh entered 
upon the great work of his life. He had long objected to the grants of 
land made by the Indians to the whites, and determined to unite all the 
Indian tribes into a league, in order that no treaties or grants of land 
could be made save by the consent of this confederation. 

He traveled constantly, going from north to south ; from the south 
to the north, everywhere urging the Indians to this step. He was a 
matchless orator, and his burning words had their effect. 

Gen. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana, by watching the move- 
ments of the Indians, became convinced that a grand conspiracy was 
forming, and made preparations to defend the settlements. Tecumseh's 
plan was similar to Pontiac's, elsewhere described, and to the cunning 
artifice of that chieftain was added his own sagacity. 

During the year 1809, Tecumseh and the prophet were actively pre- 
paring for the work. In that year, Gen. Harrison entered into a treaty 
with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Miamis, Eel River Indians 
and Weas, in which these tribes ceded to the whites certain lands upon 
the Wabash, to all of which Tecumseh entered a bitter protest, averring 



fO THE N"l: ill WEST TERRITORY. 

ae principal reason that he did not want the Indians to give up any 
lands north and wesl of tin- < > 1 1 i « * River. 

Tecumseh, in August, 1810, visited the General at Vincennea and 
held a council relating to the grievances of tin- Indians. Becoming unduly 
angry at tin- conference he was dismissed from tin- village, and soon after 
departed t<> incite the southern Indian tribes t<> the conflict. 

Gen. Harris. m determined t«> move upon the chiefs headquarters at 
Tippecanoe, and tor this purpose went aboui sixty-live miles up the 
W . ,;i-di. where he built Port Harrison. Prom this place he wenl to the 
prophet's town, where he informed tin- Indians he had do hostile inten- 
tions, provided they were true t<> the existing treaties, tie encamped 
near the villa-.' early in < >ctober, and on the morning <>l' November 7, he 
was attacked by a large foroe of the Indians, and the famous battle "f 
Tippecanoe occurred. The Indians were routed and their town broken 
up. Tecumseh returning not long after, was greatly exasperated at his 
brother, the prophet, even threatening to kill him lor rashly precipitating 

the war. and foiling his I I'. cuius. h*s ) plans. 

Tecumseh senl word to Gen. Harrison that lie was now returned 
from the Smith, and was ready to visit the President as had at one time 
previously been proposed. (S-en. Harrison informed him he could not go 
a-, a chief, which method Tecumseh desired, and the visit was never 
made. 

In June of the following year, he visited the Indian agent at 
Fort Wayne. Her.- he disavowed an] intention to make a war against 

the United States, and reproached Gen. Harrison for marching against his 
people. Th replied to this : Tecumseh listened with a cold indif- 

ference, and after making a few general remarks, with a haughty air drew 

hi- blanket about him, lefl the council house, and departed for Fori Mai- 
den, in Upper Canada, where he joined the British standard. 

II" remained under this Government, doing effective work for the 

Crown while engaged in the war of 1 s i j which qow opened. He was, 
however, always humane in his treatment of the prisoners, never allow- 
in.; hi- warriors to ruthlessly mutilate the bodies of those slain, or wan- 
tonly murder the captive. 

In the Summer ..f 1818, Perry's victory on Lake Erie occurred, and 
short !v after active preparations were mad.- to capture Maiden. ' >n the 
27th of September, the American army, under Gen. Harrison, set Bail for 

the sh.'i I 'id in a few hours stood around the ruins of Mai- 

den, from which the British army, under Proctor, had retreated i" Sand- 
wich, intending to make its way to the heart of Canada by the Vall< 
the Thames. On the 29th Gen. Harrison was at Sandwich, and Gen 
NfcArthur took possession of Detroit and the territory of Michigan. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



71 



On the 2d of October, the Americans began their pursuit of Proctor, 
whom they overtook on the 5th, and the battle of the Thames followed. 
Early in the engagement, Teeumseh who was at the head of the column 
of Indians was slain, and they, no longer hearing the voice of their chief- 
tain, fled. The victory was decisive, and practically closed the war in 
the Northwest. 




W^^^^ 



INDIANS ATTACKING A STOCKADS. 



Just who killed the great chief has been a matter of much dispute ; 
but the weight of opinion awards the act to Col. Richard M. Johnson, 
who fired at him with a pistol, the shot proving fatal. 

In 1805 occurred Burr's Insurrection. He took possession of a 
beautiful island in the Ohio, after the killing of Hamilton, and is charged 
by many with attempting to set up an independent government. His 
plans were frustrated by the general government, his property confiscated 
and he was compelled to flee the country for safety. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

In January, 1 v, 'T. Governor Hull, of Michigan Territory, made a 
treaty with the Indians, whereby all that peninsula was ceded to the 
United Stat. . Bi fore the close of the year, a Btockade was built about 
Detroit. It was also during this year that Indiana and Illinois endeavored 

tain the repeal of that section <>l* the compact of 1787, whereby 
slavery was excluded from the Northwest Territory. These attempts, 
however, all signally failed. 

Iii1>n'.i it was defined advisable to divide the [ndiana Territory. 
This was done< and the Territory of Illinois was formed from the western 
part, the seal of government being fixed at Kaskaskia. The next year, 
the intentions of Tecumseh manifested themselves in open hostilities, and 
then began the events already narrated. 

While this war was in progress, emigration to the West went on with 
surprising rapidity. In 1811, under Mr. Roosevelt of New York, the 
firsl Bteamboat trip was made on the Ohio, much to the astonishment of 
the native-, many of whom tied in terror at the appearance of the 
"monster." It arrived at Louisville on the 10th day of October. At the 
close of the first week of January, L812, it arrived at Natchez, after being 
nearly overwhelmed in the gnaat earthquake which occurred while on its 

downward trip. 

The battle of the Thames was fought on October 6, 1818. It 
effect nail v closed hostilities in the Northwest, although peace was not 
fully restored until July 22, 1814, when a treaty was formed at Green- 
ville, under the direction of General Harrison, between the United St 

and the Indian tribes, in which i,t was stipulated that the Indians should 

cease hostilities against the American- if the war were continued. Such, 
happily, was n<>t the case, and on the 24th of Decembei the treaty 
of Ghent was signed by the representatives of England and the United 

States. This treaty was followed the next year by treaties with various 

Indian tril>e> throughout the West and Northwest, and quiet was again 

i in this part of the new world. 

( )n the l^tli of March. 1816, Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city. 

It then had a population of 8,000 people, and was already noted for its 

manufacturing interests. On April 19, [ndiana Territory was allowed 
to form a state u r "\''i'"in<-iit. A.1 that time there were thirteen counties 
ini/ed. containing aboul Bixty-three thousand inhabitants. The first 
election of state offioers was held in August, when Jonathan Jennings 
was ohosen Governor. The officers were Bworn in on November 7, and. 
on Decembei 11. the State was formally admitted into the Union. For 
some lime the seat of government was at Corydon, hut a more central 
location being desirable, the present capital, Indianapolis (City of Indiana), 
was laid out January 1, 1825. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 73 

On the 28th of December the Bank of Illinois, at Shawneetown, was 
chartered, with a capital of $300,000. At this period all banks were 
under the control of the States, and were allowed to establish branches 
at different convenient points. , 

Until this time Chillicothe and Cincinnati had in turn enjoyed the 
privileges of being the capital of Ohio. But the rapid settlement of the 
northern and eastern portions of the State demanded, as in Indiana, a 
more central location, and before the close of the year, the site of Col- 
umbus was selected and surveyed as the future capital of the State. 
Banking had begun in Ohio as early as 1808, when the first bank was 
chartered at Marietta, but here as elsewhere it did not bring to the state 
the hoped-for assistance. It and other banks were subsequently unable 
to redeem their currency, and were obliged to suspend. 

In 1818, Illinois was made a state, and all the territory north of her 
northern limits was erected into a separate territory and joined to Mich- 
igan for judicial purposes. By the following year, navigation of the lakes 
was increasing with great rapidity and affording an immense source of 
revenue to the dwellers in the Northwest, but it was not until 1826 that 
the trade was extended to Lake Michigan, or that steamships began to 
navigate the bosom of that inland sea. 

Until the year 1832, the commencement of the Black Hawk War, 
but few hostilities were experienced with the Indians. Roads were 
opened, canals were dug, cities were built, common, schools were estab- 
lished, universities were founded, many of which, especially the Michigan 
University, have achieved a world wide-reputation. The people were 
becoming wealthy. The domains of the United States had been extended, 
and had the sons of the forest been treated with honesty and justice, the 
record of many years would have been that of peace and continuous pros- 
perity. 

BLACK HAWK AND THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 

This conflict, though confined to Illinois, is an important epoch in 
the Northwestern history, being the last war with the Indians in this part 
of the United States. 

Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or Black Hawk, was born in the principal 
Sac village, about three miles from the junction of Rock River with the 
Mississippi, in the year 1767. His father's name was Py-e-sa or Pahaes ; 
his grandfather's, Na-na-ma-kee, or the Thunderer. Black Hawk early 
distinguished himself as a warrior, and at the age of fifteen was permitted 
to paint and was ranked among the braves. About the year 1783, he 
Vvent on an expedition against the enemies of his nation, the Osages, one 



THE NOB rHWEST TERRITORY. 




BLACK iiawic. THE sac CHIEFTAIN. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 7^ 

of whom he killed and scalped, and for this deed of Indian bravery he was 
permitted to join in the scalp dance. Three or four years after he, at the 
head of two hundred braves, went on another expedition against the 
Osages, to avenge the murder of some women and children belonging to 
his own tribe. Meeting an equal number of Osage warriors, a fierce 
battle ensued, in which the latter tribe lost one-half their number. The 
Sacs lost only about nineteen warriors. He next attacked the Cherok 
for a similar cause. In a severe battle with them, near the present City 
of St. Louis, his father was slain, and Black Hawk, taking possession ot 
the " Medicine Bag," at once announced himself chief of the Sac nation. 
He had now conquered the Cherokees, and about the year 1800, at the 
head of five hundred Sacs and Foxes, and a hundred, Iowas, he waged 
war against the Osage nation and subdued it. For two years he battled 
successfully with other Indian tribes, all of whom he conquered. 

Black Hawk does not at any time seem to have been friendly to 
the Americans. When on a visit to St. Louis to see his " Spanish 
Father," he declined to see any of the Americans, alleging, as a reason* 
he did not want two fathers. 

The treaty at St. Louis was consummated in 1804. The next year the 
United States Government erected a fort near the head of the Des Moines 
Rapids, called Fort Edwards. This seemed to enrage Black Hawk, who 
at once determined to capture Fort Madison, standing on the west side of 
the Mississippi above the mouth of the Des Moines River. The fort was 
garrisoned by about fifty men. Here he was defeated. The difficulties 
with the British Government arose about this time, and the War of 181*2 
followed. That government, extending aid to the Western Indians, by 
giving them arms and ammunition, induced them to remain hostile to the 
Americans. In August, 1812, Black Hawk, at the head of about five 
hundred braves, started to join the British forces at Detroit, passing on 
his way the site of Chicago, where the famous Fort Dearborn Massacre 
1 A a few days before occurred. Of his connection with the British 
'o.c ernment but little is known. In 1813 he with his little band descended 
the Mississippi, and attacking some United States troops at Fort Howard 
was defeated. 

In the early part of 1815, the Indian tribes west of the Mississippi 
were notified that peace had been declared between the United States 
and England, and nearly all hostilities had ceased. Black Hawk did not 
sign any treaty, however, until May of the following year. He then recog- 
nized the validity of the treaty at St. Louis in 1804. From the time of 
signing this treaty in 1816, until the breaking out of the war in 1832, he 
and his band passed their time in the common pursuits of Indian life. 

Ten years before the commencement of this war, the Sae and Fox 



76 THK NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

Indians were urged to join the Iowas on the weal bank of the Father of 
Waters. All were agreed, save the band known as the British Band, of 
which Black Hawk was Leader. He Btrenuously objected to the removal, 
and was induced to comply only after being threatened \\ ith the power of 
the Government. This and various actions <>n the part of the white 
tiers provoked Black Hawk and his hand to attempt the capture of his 
native village now occupied by the whites. The war followed. He and 

his actions were undoubtedly misunderst 1. and had his wishes been 

acquiesced in at the beginning of the Btruggle, much bloodshed would 
have been prevented. 

Black Hawk was chief now of the Sac and Fox nations, and a noted 
warrior. He and his tribe inhabited a village on Rock River, nearly three 
miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, when- the tribe had lived 
many generations. When that portion of Illinois was reserved to them, 
they remained in peaceable possession of their reservation, spending their 
time in the enjoyment of Indian life. The fine situation of their village 

and the quality of their lands incited the more lawless while settler-, who 

from time to time began to encroach upon the red men's domain. From 
one pretext to another, ami from one step to another, the crafty white 
men gained a foothold, until through whisky and artifice they obtained 
deeds from many of the Indians for their possessions. The Indians were 
finally induced to cross over the Father of Waters and locate among the 
Iowas. Black Hawk was Btrenuously opposed to all this, but as the 
authorities of Illinois and the United States thought this the best move, he 
was forced to comply. Moreover other tribes joined the whites ami urged 
the removal. Black Hawk would not agree to the terms of the treaty 

made with his nation for their lands, and as BOOB as the military, called to 
enforce his removal, had retired, he returned to the Illinois side of the 

river. A large force was at once raised and marched against him. On 
the evening of May 11. L832, the first engagement occurred between a 

band from this army ami Black Hawk's hand, in which the former were 

defeated. 

This attack and its result aroused the whites. A large force of men 
was raised, and Gen. Scotl hastened from the seaboard, by way of the 
lakes, with United States troops and artillery to aid in the subjugation o( 
the Indians. < hi the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with 200 warriors, was 
repulsed by Major Demont between Rock River and Galena. The Ameri- 
can army continued to move up Ro.k River toward the main body of 

the Indians, and on the 21st of July came niton Black Hawk and his hand. 

and defeated 1 1 1 1 in near the Blue Mounds. 

B fore this action, Gen. Henry, in command, sent word to the main 

army by whom he was immediately rejoined, and the whole crossed the 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 77 

Wisconsin in pursuit of Black Hawk and his band who were fleeing to the 
Mississippi. They were overtaken on the 2d of August, and in the battle 
which followed the power of the Indian chief was completely broken. He 
fled, but was seized by the Winnebagoes and delivered to the whites. 

On the 21st of September, 1832, Gen. Scott and Gov. Reynolds con- 
cluded a treaty with the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes by which they 
ceded to the United States a vast tract of country, and agreed to remain 
peaceable with the whites. For the faithful performance of the provi- 
sions of this treaty on the part of the Indians, it was stipulated that 
Black Hawk, his two sons, the prophet Wabokieshiek, and six other chiefs 
of the hostile bands should be retained as hostages during the pleasure 
of the President. They were confined at Fort Barracks and put in irons. 

The next Spring, by order of the Secretary of War, they were taken 
to Washington. From there they were removed to Fortress Monroe, 
"there to remain until the conduct of their nation was such as to justify 
their being set at liberty/' They were retained here until the 4th of 
June, when the authorities directed them to be taken to the principal 
cities so that they might see the folly of contending against the white 
people. Everywhere they were observed by thousands, the name of the 
old chief being extensively known. By the middle of August they 
reached Fort Armstrong on Rock Island, where Black Hawk was soon 
after released to go to his countrymen. As he passed the site of his birth- 
place, now the home of the white man, he was deeply moved. His village 
where he was born, where he had so happily lived, and where he had 
hoped to die, was now another's dwelling place, and he was a wanderer. 

On the next day after his release, he went at once to his tribe and 
his lodge. His wife was yet living, and with her he passed the remainder 
of his days. To his credit it may be said that Black Hawk always re- 
mained true to his wife, and served her with a devotion uncommon among 
the Indians, living with her upward of forty years. 

Black Hawk now passed his time hunting and fishing. A deep mel- 
ancholy had settled over him from which he could not be freed. At all 
times when he visited the whites he was received with marked atten- 
tion. He was an honored guest at the old settlers' reunion in Lee County, 
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and received many tokens of esteem. 
In September, l*oS, while on his way to Rock Island to receive his 
annuity from the Government, he contracted a severe cold which resulted 
in a fatal attack of bilious fever which terminated his life on October 3, 
His faithful wife, who was devotedly attached to him, mourned deeply 
during his sickness. After his death he was dressed in the uniform pre- 
sented to him by the President while in Washington. He was buried in 
a grave six feet in depth, situated upon a beautiful eminence. "The 



7- THi: \' >R I RWEST rEBRITOEY. 

body was placed in tin- middle of the grave, in a sitting posture, upon a 
seal constructed for the purpose. On his Left Bide, the cane, given him 
by Henry Clay, was placed upright, with his right hand resting upon it. 
Many of tin- old warrior's trophies were placed in the grave, and some 
Indian garments, together with his favorite weapons." 

N" sooner was the Black Hawk war concluded than Bettlers began 
rapidly to pour into the northern parts of Illinois, and into Wisconsin, 
now free from Indian depredations. Chicago, from a trading post, had 
grown to a commercial center, and was rapidly coming into prominence. 
In 1835, the formation of a State Government in Michigan was discussed, 
but did no! take active form until two years later, when the State became 
a pan of the Federal Union. 

The main attraction to that portion of the Nbrthwesl lying wesl oi 
Michigan, now included in the State of Wisconsin, was its alluvial 
wealth. ( topper ore was found about Lake Superior. For some time this 
region was attached to Michigan for judiciary purposes, hut in 183f) was 
made a territory, then including Minnesota and Iowa. The latter Statu 
was detached two years later. In L848, Wisconsin was admitted 
State, Madison being made the capital. We have now traced the various 
divisions of the Northwest Territory (save a little in Minnesota I from 
the time ii was a unit comprising this vast territory, until circumstances 
compelled its present division. 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



79 



PRESENT CONDITION OF THE NORTHWEST 

Preceding chapters have brought us to the close of the Black Hawk 
war, and we now turn to the contemplation of the growth and prosperity 
of the Northwest under the smile of peace and the blessings of our civili- 
zation. The pioneers of tins region date events back to the deep snow 




OLO FORT OEARBORN, 1830. 



of 1831, no one arriving here since that date taking first honors. The 
inciting cause of the immigration which overflowed the prairies early in 
the '30s was the reports of the marvelous beauty and fertility of the 
region distributed through the East by those who had participated in the 
Black Hawk campaign with Gen. Scott: Chicago and Milwaukee theD 
had a few hundred inhabitants, and Gurdon S. Hubbard's trail from the 
former city to Kaskaskia led almost through a wilderness. Vegetables 
and clothing were largely distributed through the regions adjoining the 






THK NORTH WKST TKKKITOEY. 



lakes by Bteamers from the Ohio towns. There are men now living in 
Illinois who came to the Btate when barely an acre was in cultivation, 
md a man now prominenl in the business circles of Chicago looked over 
the swampy, ch< i ite of thai metropolis in 1818 and wenl south" 

ward into civilization. Emigrants from Pennsylvania in 1830 lefi behind 




l.lN.ol.N M.'NLMI.Nl. MklN'.l II .1.1'. UXIXOIS. 

them bui one .-mall railway in the coal regions, thirty miles in Length, 
ami made their way to the Northwest mostly with ox teams, finding in 

bhern Illinois petty settlements scores of miles apart, although the 
southern portion of the state was fairly dotted with faun-. The 
water QOttXSea of the lakes and rivers furnished transportation to the 

nd greal army of Immigrants, and aboul 1850 railroad- were 
pushed to thai extenl thai the crisis of \*'-'<~ was precipitated upon us, 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



81 



from the effects of which the Western country had not fully recovered 
at the outbreak of the war. Hostilities found the colonists of the prairies 
fully alive to the demands of (lie occasion, and the honor of recruiting 







:ftV/ 




the vast armies of the Union fell largely to Gov. Yates, of Illinois, and 
Gov. Morton, of Indiana. To recount the share of the glories of the 
campaign won by ©\u Western troops is a needless task, except to 
mention the fact that Illinois gave co the nation the President who save'l 






CHB NnlM'll wis i : i.;:i:i r< >\:\ 



it. and sent out at the head of one of its regiments toe general who led 
ts armies to the final victory at Appomattox. The Btrnggle, on the 




whole, had o marked efifocl for the better on the new Northwest, giving 

■I impetus which twenty years of peace would not have produced. 

In a large degree this prosperity was an inflated one, and with the rest 

uf the Union we have since been me therefor by four 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 83 

years of depression of values, of scarcity of employment, and loss of 
fortune. To a less degree, however, than the manufacturing or mining 
regions has the West suffered during the prolonged panic now so near its 
end. Agriculture, still the leading feature in our industries, has been 
quite prosperous through all these dark years, and the farmers have 
cleared away many incumbrances resting over them from the period of 
fictitious values. The population has steadily increased, the arts and 
sciences are gaining a stronger foothold, the trade area of the region is 
becoming daily more extended, and we have been largely exempt from 
the financial calamities which have nearly wrecked communities on the 
seaboard dependent wholly on foreign commerce or domestic manufacture 

At the present period there are no great schemes broached for the 
Northwest, no propositions for government subsidies or national works 
of improvement, but the capital of the world is attracted hither for the 
purchase of our products or the expansion of our capacity for serving the 
nation at large. A new era is dawning as to transportation, and we bid 
fair to deal almost exclusively with the increasing and expanding lines 
of steel rail running through every few miles of territory on the prairies. 
The lake marine will no doubt continue to be useful in the warmer 
season, and to serve as a regulator of freight rates; but experienced 
navigators forecast the decay of the system in moving to the seaboard 
the enormous crops of the West. Within the past five ) T ears it has 
become quite common to see direct shipments to Europe and the West 
Indies going through from the second-class towns along the Mississippi 
and Missouri. 

As to popular education, the standard has of late risen very greatly, 
and our schools would be creditable to any section of the Union. 

More and more as the events of the war pass into obscurity will the 
fate of the Northwest be linked with that of the Southwest, and the 
next Congressional apportionment will give the valley of the Mississippi 
absolute control of the legislation of the nation, and do much toward 
securing the removal of the Federal capitol to some more central location. 

Our public men continue to wield the full share of influence pertain- 
ing to their rank in the national autonomy, and seem not to forget that 
for the past sixteen years they and their constituents have dictated the 
principles which should govern the country. 

In a work like this, destined to lie on the shelves of the library for 
generations, and not doomed to daily destruction like a newspaper, one 
can not indulge in tin- same glowing predictions, the sanguine statements 
of actualities that fill the columns of ephemeral publications. Tine' may 
bring grief to the pet projects of a writer, and explode castles erected on 
a pedestal of facts. Yet there are unmistakable indications before us of 



g4 THE NTORTHWEST TERBTTOBY. 

the Bame radical change in our great Northwest which characterizes its 
history for tin- past thirty years. Our domain ha- a sorl of natural 

graphical border, save where it melts away to the southward in the 
cattle raising districts of the southwi 

Our prime interesl will for some years doubtless be the growth of 
the food of th«- world, in which branch it has already outstripped all 
competitors, and our great rival in this duty will naturally he tin- fertile 
plains of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, to say nothing of tin- new 
empire so rapidly growing uj> in Texas. Over these regions there is a 
continued progress in agriculture and in railway building, and we must 
look to our Laurels, fntelligenl observers of events are fully aware of 
the Btrides made in the way of shipments of fresh meats t<> Europe, 
many of the-- ocean cargoes being actually slaughtered in tin- West ami 
transported on ice to the wharves of tin- seaboard cities. That this new 
enterprise will continue there is no reason to doubt. There are in 
Chicago several factories for the canning of prepared meats for European 

consumption, and th ders for this class tds are already immense. 

English capita] is becoming daily more and more dissatisfied with railway 
loans and investment-, and is gradually seeking mammoth outlays in 
lands and livestock. The Btock yards in Chicago, Indianapolis and East 
St, Louis are yearly increasing their facilities, ami their plant steadily 
grows more valuable. Importations of blooded animals from the pro- 

jsive countries of Europe are destined to greatly improve the quality 
of our heet' and mutton. Nowln-re is there to be seen a more enticing 
display in this line than at our state and county fairs, and the into 
in the matter i- on the increi 

To attempt to give statistics of our -rain production for 1*77 would 
be asel( ar have we surpassed ourselves in the quantity and 

quality of our product. We are too liable to forget that we are giving 
the world its first article. if necessity — its food supply. An opportunity 
to learn this fact -«. it never can he forgotten was afforded at Chicago at 

the outbreak of the great panic of l s 7:'>. when Canadian purcha 

fearing the prostration of business might bring about an anarchical condition 
of affairs, wenl to that city with coin in hulk and foreign drafts to secure 
their supplies in their own currency at first hands. It may be justly 
claimed by the agricultural community thai their combined efforts gave 
the nation it> first impetus toward a restoration of it- crippled industries. 

ami their labor brought the gold premium to a lower depth than the 

government was able to reach br its most intense efforts of Legislation 
and compulsion. The hundreds of millions about to he disbursed for 

farm product-* have already, by the anticipation common to all commercial 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



85 



nations, set the wheels in motion, and will relieve us from the perils bo 
long shadowing our efforts to return to a healthy tone. 

Manufacturing has attained in the chief cities a foothold which bids 
fair to render the Northwest independent of the outside world. Nearly 




HTTWTINO PRAIRIE WOLVES IN AX KAKI.Y DAY. 



our whole region has a distribution of coal measures which will in time 
Bupport the manufactures necessary to our comfort and prosperity. A.s 
to transportation, the chief factor in the production of all articles ex 
food, no section is so magnificently endowed, and our facilities are y< 
increasing beyond those of any other region. 



86 THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 

The period from a central point of the war to the outbreak of the 
panic was marked by a tremendous growth in our railway lines, but the 
depression of the times caused almost a total suspension of operations. 
Now thai prosperity is returning to our Btrickeu country we witness it- 
anticipation by the railroad interest in a series of projects, extensions, 
and leases which bid fair to Largely increase our transportation facilities. 
The process of foreclosure and sale of incumbered lines is another matter 
to 1,,' considered. In the case of the Illinois Central road, which formerly 
transferred toother lines at Cairo the vast burden of freight destined for 
th^ Gulf region, we now see the incorporation of the trades connecting 
through to New Orleans, every mile co-operating in turning toward thi 
northwestern metropolis the weight of the inter-state commerce of a 
thousand miles or more of fertile plantations. Three competing routes 
to Texas have established in Chicago their general freight and pass* . 
agencies. Four or five lines compete for all Pacific freights to a point as 
a- far as the interior of Nebraska. Half a dozen or more Bplendid bridge 
structures have been thrown across the Missouri and Mississippi River- by 
the railways. The Chicago and Northwestern line has become an ag 
gation of over two thousand miles of rail, and the Chicago. Milwaukee 
and St. Paul is its close rival in extent and importance. The three lines 

running to Cairo via Vmcennes form a through route for all traffic with 

the states to the southward. The chief projects now under discussion 
are the Chicago and Atlantic, which is to unite with lines now built to 
Charleston, and the Chicago and Canada Southern, which line will con- 
nect with all the various branches of that Canadian enterprise. Oil! 
latest new road is the Chicago and Lake Huron, formed of three lines, 
and entering the city from Valparaiso on the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne 
and Chicago track. The trunk lines being mainly in operation, the 
j made in the way of shortening tracks, making air-line branches. 
and running extensions does not show to the advantage it deserves, as 
this process is constantly adding new facilities to the established order 

of things. The panic reduced the price of Steel to a point where the 

railways could hardly afford to use iron rails, and all our northwestern 
lines report large relays of Bessemer track. The immense crops now 
being moved have given ■> great rise to the value of railway stocks, and 
their transportation must result in heavy pecuniary advantages. 

Few are aware of the importance of the wholesale and jobbing trade 
of Chicago. One Leading firm has since the panic Bold $24,000,000 of 
dry goods in one year, and they now expect most confidently to add 
seventy per cent, to the figures of their last year's business. In boots 
and Bhoes and in clothing, twenty or more ureat firms from the easl b 
placed here their distributing agents or their factories; and in groceries 



THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 



^7 



Chicago supplies the entire Northwest at rates presenting advantages 
over New York. 

Chicago has stepped in between New York and the rural hanks as a 
financial center, and scarcely a banking institution in the grain or cattle 
regions but keeps its reserve funds in the vaults of our commercial insti- 
tutions. Accumulating here throughout the spring and summer months, 
they are summoned home at pleasure to move the products of the 
prairies. This process greatly strengthens the northwest in its financial 
operations, leaving home capital to supplement local operations on 
behalf of home interests. 

It is impossible to forecast the destiny of this grand and growing- 
section of the Union. Figures and predictions made at this date might 
seem ten years hence so ludicrously small as to excite only derision. 




KINZ1E HOUSE. 



Early History of Illinois. 



The name of this beautiful Prairie State is derived from TUinu a 
Delaware word signifying Superior Men. It has a French termination, 
and is a symbol of how the two races— the French and the [ndians — 
intermixed during the early history <>i' the country. 

The appellation was no doubl well applied to the primitive inhabit- 
ants of the soil whose prowess in Bavage warfare long withstood the 
combined attacks of the fierce Iroquois on the one side, and the no less 

•Mil relentless Sacs and Foxes on the other. The Illinois - 

once a powerful confederacy, occupying the moal beautiful and fertile 

on in the great Valley of the Mississippi, which their enemies coveted 

and struggled long and hard to wrest from them. By the fortunes of 

war they were diminished in numbers, and finally destroyed. "Starved 

.." on the Illinois River, according to tradition, commemorates their 
last tragedy, where, it is said, the entire tribe starved rather than sur- 
render. 

EARLY DISCOVERIES. 

The first European discoveries in Illinois date back over two hun- 
dred years. They are a part of thai movement which, from the b< 
ning to the middle of the seventeenth century, brought the French 
Canadian missionaries and fur traders into the Valley of the Mississippi, 
and which, at a later period, established the civil and ecclesiastical 
authority of France from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mei 
and from the foot-hills of the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains. 

The great river of the West had been discovered by DeSoto, the 
Spanish conqueror of Florida, three quarters of a century before the 

ich founded Quebec in 1608, but the Spanish left the country a wil- 
derness, without further exploration or settlement within its borders, in 
which condition it remained until the Mississippi was discovered by the 

ats of the French Canadian government, Joliet and Marquette, in li 
These renowned explorers were not the first white visitors to Illinois. 
In ItiTl — two years in advance of them — came Nicholas P enrol to Chica 
Hi bad been Bent by Talon as an agent of the Canadian government tc 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 



89 




M HISTORY OF THE STATE OK ILLINOIS. 

rail a great peace convention of Western [ndians at Green Bay, prepara- 
tory to the movement for the discovery of the Mississippi. It was 
deemed a good Btroke of policy to Becure, a- far as possible, the friend- 
ship and co-operation of the [ndians, far and near, before venturing upon 
an enterprise which their hostility mighl render disastrous, and which 
their friendship and assistance would do bo much to make successful ; 
ami to this end Perrol was sent to call together in council the tribes 
throughout the Northwest, and to promise them the commerce and pro- 
tection of the French government. He accordingly arrived al G 

in 1671, and procuring an escort of Pottawattamies, proceeded in a 
hark canoe upon a visil to the Miamis, at Chicago. Perrot was there- 
fore the first European to set foot upon tin- soil of Illinois. 

Still there were others before Marquette. In 1672, the Jesuit mis- 
sionaries, Fathers Claude Allouez and Claud. • Dablon, bore the standard 
of the Cross from their mission at Green Bay through western Wisconsin 

and northern Illinois, visiting the Foxes on Fox River, and the MasqilO- 

tines and Kickapoos at the mouth of the Milwaukee. These missionaries 
penetrated on the route afterwards followed by Marquette as far as the 
Kickapoo village at the head of Lake Winnebago, where Marquette, in 

his journey, secured guides across the portage tn the Wisconsin. 

'The oft-repeated -tory of Marquette and Joliet is well known. 
They were the agents employed by the Canadian government to discover 
the Mississippi. Manpiette was a native of France, born in 1637, a 

Jesuit priesl by educal ion, and a man of simple faith and of great zeal and 

devotion in extending the Roman Catholic religion among the [ndians. 
Arriving in Canada in 1666, he was senl a- a missionarj to the tat 
Northwest, and, in 1668, founded a mission at Saull Ste. Marie. The 
following year he moved t<> La Pointe, in Lake Superior, where be 
instructed a branch of the Hurons till 1670, when he removed south, and 
founded the mission at St. [gnace, on the Straits of Mackinaw. Here 

he remained, devoting a portion of his time to the study of the Illinois 

language under a native teacher who had accompanied him t<> the mission 
from La Point e, till he was joined by Joliet in the Spring of L678. By 
the way of Green Hay and the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, they entered 
the Mississippi, which they explored to the mouth of the Arkansas, and 
returned by the way of the Illinois and Chicago Rivers t" Lake Michigan. 
On hi- way up tin- Illinois, Marquette visited the great village of 
the Kaskaskias near what i> now Utica, in the county of LaSaile. The 
following yea', he returned ami established among them the mission of 
the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which was the first Jesuit mission founded 
in Illinois ami in the Mississippi Valley. The intervening winter he 

id -pent in a hut whieh hi- companions erect ei I on the ( ShicagO Riv< P, I 
few leagues from its mouth. The founding of this mission was the hist- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 91 

act of Marquette's life. He died in Michigan, on his way back to Green 
Bay, May 18, 1675. 

FIRST FRENCH OCCUPATION. 

The first French occupation of the territory now embraced in Illi- 
nois was effected by LaSalle in 1680, seven years after the time of Mar- 
quette and Joliet. LaSalle, having constructed a vessel, the " Griffin," 
above the falls of Niagara, which he sailed to Green Bay, and having 
passed thence in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph River, by which 
and the Kankakee he reached the Illinois, in January, 1680, erected Fort 
Crevecceur, at the lower end of Peoria Lake, where the city of Peoria is 
now situated. The place where this ancient fort stood may still be seen 
just below the outlet of Peoria Lake. It was destined, however, to a 
temporary existence. From this point, LaSalle determined to descend 
the Mississippi to its mouth, but did not accomplish this purpose till two 
years later — in 1682. Returning to Fort Frontenac for the purpose of 
getting materials with which to rig his vessel, he left the fort in charge of 
Touti, his lieutenant, who during his absence was driven off by the Iro- 
quois Indians. These savages had made a raid upon the settlement of 
the Illinois, and had left nothing in their track but ruin and desolation. 
Mr. Davidson, in his History of Illinois, gives the following graphic 
account of the picture that met the eyes of LaSalle and his companions 
on their return : 

" At the great town of the Illinois they were appalled at the scene 
which opened to their view. No hunter appeared to break its death-like 
silence with a salutatory whoop ot welcome. The plain on which the 
town had stood was now strewn with charred fragments of lodges, which 
had so recently swarmed with savage life and hilarity. To render more 
hideous the picture of desolation, large numbers of skulls had been 
placed on the upper extremities of lodge-poles which had escaped the 
devouring flames. In the midst of these horrors was the rude fort of 
the spoilers, rendered frightful by the same ghastly relics. A near 
approach showed that the graves had been robbed of their bodies, and 
swarms of buzzards were discovered glutting their loathsome stomachs 
on the reeking corruption. To complete the work of destruction, the 
growing corn of the village had been cut down and burned, while the 
pits containing the products of previous years, had been rifled and their 
contents scattered with wanton waste. It was evident the suspected 
blow of the Iroquois had fallen with relentless fury." 

Tonti had escaped LaSalle knew not whither. Passing down the 
lake in search of him and his men, LaSalle discovered that the fort had 
been destroyed, but the vessel which he had partly constructed was still 



B3BTOBY OF THE STATE OB ILLINOIS. 

on tli«.- storks, and but slightly injured. After further fruitless search. 
failing to find Tonti, he fastened to a tree a painting representing himself 
and party sitting in a canoe and bearing a pipe of peace, and to the paint- 
ing attached a Letter addressed to Tonti. 

Tonti had escaped, and. after untold privations, taken Bhelter among 
the Pottawattamies near Green Bay. These were friendly to the French. 
1 I of their old chiefs used to Bay, "There were but three great cap- 
tains iu the world, himself, Tonti and LaSalle." 

GENIUS OF LaSALLE. 

We musl now return to LaSalle, whose exploits stand out in such 
bold relief. He was horn in Rouen. France, in L643. \\\< father was 
wealthy, but he renounced his patrimony on entering a college of the 
Jesuits, from which he separated and came to Canada a poor man in 1< 
The priests of St. Sulpice, among whom he had a brother, were then the 
proprietors of Montreal, the nucleus of which was a seminary or con- 
vent founded by thai order. The Superior granted to LaSalle a large 

tract of land at LaChine. where he established himself in the fur trade. 

He wa> a man of daring genius, and out-tripped all his competitors in 
exploits of travel and commerce with the [ndians. In 1 *>♦»!», he visited 
tie- headquarters of the greal [roquois Confederacy, a! Onondaga, in the 
heart of New fork, and, obtaining guides, explored the Ohio River to 

the falls a: Louisville. 

In order to understand the genius of LaSalle, it must he remembered 
that for many years prior to his time the missionaries and trailers were 
obliged to make their way to the Northwest by the Ottawa River (oi 
Canada > on accounl of the fierce hostility of the [roquois ae lower 

- and Niagara River, which entirely closed this latter route to the 
Upper L Chey carried on their commerce chiefly by canoes, pad- 

dling them through the Ottawa to Like Nipissing, carrying them across 
the portage I i French River, and descending that to Lake Huron. This 
being the route by which they reached the Northwest, accounts for the 
facl that all the earliest Jesuit missions were established in the neighbor- 
hood of the Upper Lakes. LaSalle conceived the -rand idea of opening 
the route by N i River and the Lower Lakes to Canadian commerce 

by -ail vessels, connecting it with the navigation of the Mississippi, and 
thus opening aifioenl water communication from the Gulf of St. 

Lawrence to the Gulf of \| v >. This truly grand ami comprehensive 
purp as to have animated him in all his wonderful achievements 

and the mat shleSS difficulties and hardships he surmounted. As the first 

step iii the accomplishment of this object he established himself on Lake 
Ontario, and built ami garrisoned Fort Frontenae, th< site of the present 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 03 

city of Kingston, Canada. Here he obtained a grant of land from the 
French crown and a body of troops by which he beat back the invading 
Iroquois and cleared the passage to Niagara Falls. Having by this mas- 
terly stroke made it safe to attempt a hitherto untried expedition, his 
next step, as we have seen, was to advance to the Falls with all his 
outfit for building a ship with which to sail the lakes. He was success- 
ful in this undertaking, though his ultimate purpose was defeated by a 
strange combination of untoward circumstances. The Jesuits evidently 
hated LaSalle and plotted against him, because he had abandoned them 
and co-operated with a rival order. The fur traders were also jealous of 
his superior success in opening new channels of commerce. At LaChine 
he had taken the trade of Lake Ontario, which but for his presence there 
would have gone to Quebec. While they were plodding with their bam 
canoes through the Ottawa he was constructing sailing vessels to com- 
mand the trade of the lakes and the Mississippi. These great pians 
excited the jealousy and envy of the small traders, introduced treason and 
revolt into the ranks of his own companions, and finally led to the foul 
assassination by which his great achievements were prematurely ended. 

In 1682, LaSalle, having completed his vessel at Peoria, descended 
the Mississippi to its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Erecting a 
standard on which he inscribed the arms of France, he took formal pos- 
session of the whole valley of the mighty river, in the name of Louis 
XIV., then reigning, in honor of whom he named the country Louisiana. 

LaSalle then went to France, was appointed Governor, and returned 
with a fleet and immigrants, for the purpose of planting a colony in Illi- 
nois. They arrived in due time in the Gulf of Mexico, but failing to 
find the mouth of the Mississippi, up which LaSalle intended to sail, his 
supply ship, with the immigrants, was driven ashore and wrecked on 
Matagorda Bay. With the fragments of the vessel he constructed a 
stockade and rude huts on the shore for the protection of the immigrants, 
calling the post Fort St. Louis. He then made a trip into New Mexico, 
in search of silver mines, but, meeting with disappointment, returned to 
find his little colony reduced to forty souls. He then resolved to travel 
on foot to Illinois, and, starting with his companions, had reached the 
valley of the Colorado, near the mouth of Trinity river, when he was 
shot by one of his men. This occurred on the L9th of March, 1687. 

Dr. J. W. Foster remarks of him : " Thus fell, not far from the banks 
of the Trinity, Robert Cavalier de la Salle, one of the grandest charac- 
ters that ever figured in American history — a man capable of originating 
the vastest schemes, and endowed with a will and a judgment capable of 
carrying them to successful results. Had ample fatalities been placed by 
the King of France at his disposal, the result of the colonization of this 
continent might have been far different from what we now behold." 



'.'4 SISTOBY OF THE BTATE OF ILLINOIS. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

A temporarv settlement was made at Fort St. Louis, or the old Kas- 
kaskia village, on the Illinois River, in what is now LaSalle County, in 
1682. In It)! 1 "*. this w,t> removed, with the mission connected with it, to 
Kaskaskia, on the river of that name, emptying into the lower Mississippi 
in St. Clair County. Cahokia was Bettled about the Bame time, or at 
Least, both of these settlements began in the year 1690, though ; t is now 
pretty well Bettled thai Cahokia is tin- older place, and ranks as the oldest 
permanent settlement in Illinois, as well as in the Mississippi Valley. 
The reason for the removal of the old Kaskaskia settlement and mission, 
was probably because the dangerous and difficult route by Lake Michigan 
and the Chicago portage had been almost abandoned, and travelers and 
trader- passed down and up the Mississippi by the Pox and Wisconsin 
River mute. They removed to the vicinity of the Mississippi in order 

to be in the line of travel from Canada to Louisiana, that is, the lower 
part of it, for it was all Louisiana then south of the lake-. 

During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population prob- 
ably never exceeded ten thousand, including whites and Macks. Within 

that portion of it now included in Indiana, trading posts were established 

at the principal Miami villages which stood on the head waters of the 

Maumee, the Wea villages situated at Ouiatenon, on the Wabash, and 
the Piankeshaw villages at Posl Vincennes; all of which were probably 

visited by French traders and missionaries before the close of the seven- 
teenth cent ury. 

In the vast territory claimed l.y the French, many settlements of 

considerable importance had Bprung up. Biloxi, on Mobile Bay, hail 
been founded by D'Iberville, in 1699; Antoine de Lamotte Cadillac had 
founded Detroit in 1701 : and New Orleans had been founded by Bien- 
ville, under the auspices of the Mississippi Company, in 171*. In Illi- 
nois also, considerable settlements had been made, so that in 1780 they 

embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six hundred "inn- 
Verted Indian-.*" and many traders and VOyageUTS. In that portion of the 
country, on the easl Bide of the Mississippi, there were ti\»' distinct set- 
tlements, with their respective villages, Viz.: Cahokia, near the mouth 
of Cahokia Creek and about live miles below the present city of St. 

Louis: Si. Philip, about forty-live miles below Cahokia, and four miles 
above Fort Chartres; Fort Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia; 
Kaskaskia, situated on the Kaskaskia River, five miles above its conflu- 
ence with the Mississippi; and Prairie du Ftocher, near Port Chart 
Do these must be added St. Genevieve and St. Louis, on the west Bide 
of the M jsippi. These, with the exception of St. Louis, are anion- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 95 

the oldest French towns in the Mississippi Valley. Kaskaskia, in its best 
days, was a town of some two or three thousand inhabitants. After it 
passed from the crown of France its population for many years did not 
exceed fifteen hundred. Under British rule, in 1773, the population had 
decreased to four hundred and fifty. As early as 1721, the Jesuits had 
established a college and a monastery in Kaskaskia. 

Fort Chartres was first built under the direction of the Mississippi 
Company, in 1718, by M. de Boisbraint, a military officer, under command 
of Bienville. It stood on the east bank of the Mississippi, about eighteen 
miles below Kaskaskia, and was for some time the headcpuarters of the 
military commandants of the district of Illinois. 

In the Centennial Oration of Dr. Fowler, delivered at Philadelphia, 
by appointment of Gov. Beveridge, we find some interesting facts with 
regard to the State of Illinois, which we appropriate in this history: 

In 1682 Illinois became a possession of the French crown, a depend- 
ency of Canada, and a part of Louisiana. In 1765 the English flag was 
run up on old Fort Chartres, and Illinois was counted among the treas- 
ures of Great Britain. 

In 1779 it was taken from the English by Col. George Rogers Clark. 
This man was resolute in nature, wise in council, prudent in policy, bold 
in action, and heroic in danger. Few men who have figured in the his- 
tory of America are more deserving than this colonel. Nothing short of 
first-class ability could have rescued Vincens and all Illinois from the 
English. And it is not possible to over-estimate the influence of this 
achievement upon the republic. In 1779 Illinois became a part of Vir- 
ginia. It was soon known as Illinois County. In 1784 Virginia ceded 
all this territory to the general government, to be cut into States, to be 
republican in form, with " the same right of sovereignty, freedom, and 
independence as the other States." 

In 1787 it was the object of the wisest and ablest legislation found 
in any merely human records. No man can study the secret history of 

THE "COMPACT OF 1787," 

and not feel that Providence was guiding with sleepless eye these unborn 
States. The ordinance that on July 13, 1787, finally became the incor- 
porating act, has a most marvelous history. Jefferson had vainly tried 
to secure a system of government for the northwestern territory. He 
was an emancipationist of that day, and favored the exclusion of slavery 
from the territory Virginia had ceded to the general government; but 
the South voted him down as often as it came up. In 17S7. as Late as 
July 10, an organizing act without the anti-slavery clause was pend 
This concession to the South was expected to carry it. Congress was in 



^6 HISTORY OF THE ST. UK OF ILLINOIS. 

don in New York City. < )n July 5, Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of 
M issachusetts, came into New York to lobby on the northwestern terri- 
tory. Everything Beemed to full into his hands. Events were ripe. 

Tin >f the public credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, 

the basis of his mission, hi> personal character, all combined to complete 
one of those sudden and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that 
once in five or ten centuries are seen to Bweep over a country like the 
breath of the Almighty. Cutler was a graduate of Yale — received his 

A.M. from Harvard, and his D.I), from Yale. He had studied and taken 

degrees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. He 
had thua America's besl indorsement. He had published a scientific 
examination of the plants of New England. His name stood Becond only 
to that <>f Franklin a> a Bcientisl in America. He was a courtly gentle- 
man of the old Btyle, a man of commanding presence, and of inviting 
face. The Southern members said they had never seen Bucha gentleman 
in the North. He came representing a company that desired to purchase 
a tract of land now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colony. 
It was a speculation. Government money was worth eighteen cent- on 
the dollar. This Massachusetts company had collected enough to pur- 
chase 1,500,000 aires of land. Other speculators in New York made 
Dr. Cutler their agenl < lobbyist ). < >n the 12th he represented a demand 
for 5,500,000 acres. This would reduce the national debt. Jefferson 
and Virginia were regarded as authority concerning the land Virginia 
had just ceded. Jefferson's policy wanted to provide for the public credit, 
and this was a g 1 opportunity to do something. 

Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was 
crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the northwestern 
region. This fired the seal of Virginia. The South caught the inspira- 
tion, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The English minister invited him to 
dine with Borne of the Southern gentlemen. He was the center of into i 

The entire South rallied round him. Massachusetts could not 
against him, because many of the constituents of her members were 
interested personally in the western speculation. Thus Cutler, making 
friends with the South, and, doubtless, using all the arts of the lobby, 
was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convictions, he 
dictated one of the most oompacl and finished documents of wise states- 
manship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from 
Jefferson the term u Articles of Compact,' 1 which, preceding the federal 
constitution, rose into the most aacred character. !!'• then followed very 

jely the constitution of Massachusetts, adopted three years bei 
It- most marked points were : 

1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 

'1. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a seminary. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 07 

and every section numbered 16 in each township ; that is, one-thirty-sixth 
of all the land, for public schools. 

3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or the 
enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts. 

Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " Religion, 
morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always 
be encouraged." 

Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield. 
Giving his unqualified declaration that it was that or nothing — that unless 
they could make the land desirable they did not want it — he took his 
horse and buggy, and started for the constitutional convention in Phila- 
delphia. On July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and waa 
unanimously adopted, eveiy Southern member voting for it, and only one 
man, Mr. Yates, of New York, voting against it. But as the States voted 
as States, Yates lost his vote, and the compact was put beyond repeal. 

Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis- 
consin — a vast empire, the heart of the great valley — were consecrated 
to freedom, intelligence, and honesty. Thus the great heart of the nation 
was prepared for a year and a day and an hour. In the light of these eighty- 
nine years I affirm that this act was the salvation of the republic and the 
destruction of slavery. Soon the South saw their great blunder, and 
tried to repeal the compact. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee 
of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance 
was a compact, and opposed repeal. Thus it stood a rock, in the way 
of the on-rushing sea of slavery. 

With all this timely aid it was, after all, a most desperate and pro- 
tracted struggle to keep the soil of Illinois sacred to freedom. It was 
the natural battle-field for the irrepressible conflict. In the southern end 
of the State slavery preceded the compact. It existed among the old 
French settlers, and was hard to eradicate. The southern part of t In- 
state was settled from the slave States, and this population brought their 
laws, customs, and institutions with them. A stream of population from 
the North poured into the northern part of the State. These sections 
misunderstood and hated each other perfectly. The Southerners regarded 
the Yankees as a skinning, tricky, penurious race of peddlers, filling the 
country with tinware, brass clocks, and wooden nutmegs. The North- 
erner thought of the Southerner as a lean, lank, lazy creature, burrowing 
in a hut, and rioting in whisky, dirt and ignorance. These causes aided 
in making the struggle long and bitter. So strong w;is the sympathy 
with slavery that, in spite of the ordinance of 1787, and in spite of the 
deed of cession, it was determined to allow the old French set tie: 
retain their slaves. Planters from the slave States might bring their 



08 HISTORY OF TPTE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

slaves, if they would give them a chance to choose freedom or y 
of service and bondage for their children till they should become 
thirty years of age. If they chose freedom fchey must Leave the State 
in sixty days or be sold as fugitives. Servant- were whipped for offenses 
for which white men are fined. Bach lash paid forty cents of the fine. A 
negro ten miles from home without a pass was whipped. These famous 
laws were imported from the slave States jiLst as they Imported laws foi 
the inspection of flax and wool when there was neither in the State. 

These Black Laws are now wiped out. A vigorous effort was made 
to protect slavery in the State Constitution of 1817. It barely failed. 

It was renewed in 1825, when a convention was asked to make a new 
constitution. After a hard fight the convention was defeated. But 
slaves did not disappear from the census of tin' State until 1850. There 
were mobs and minders in the interesl of slavery. Lovejoy was added 
to the List of martyrs — a sort of first-fruits of that long life of immortal 

heroes who saw freedom as the one supreme desire of their BOUls, and 
were so enamored of her that they preferred to die rat her than survive her. 

The population of 12,282 that occupied the territory in A.D. 1800, 
increased to 15,000 in A.D. 1818, when the State Constitution was 
adopted, and Illinois took her place in the Union, with a star on the fiag 
ami two votes in the Senate. 

Shadraeh Bond was the first Governor, and in his first message he 
recommended the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. 

The Bimple economy in those days is seen in the fact that tie- entire 
hill for stationery tor the first Legislature was only (13.50. Vet this 

simple body actually enacted a very superior code. 

There was no money in the territory before the war of 1812. Deer 
skins and coon >kins were the circulating medium. In 1821, the Legis- 
lature ordained a State Bank on the credit of the State. It isMied QOtei 
in the likeness of hank hills. These note- were made a Legal tender for 
every thing, and the hank was ordered to loan to the people 8100 on per- 
il security, and more on mortgages. They actually passed s resolu- 
tion requesting the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to 
receive these notes for land. The old French Lieutenant Governor, Col. 
Menard, pul the resolution as follows: " Gentlemen of the Senate : It is 

moved and seconded </.// ■/• hank be made land-office money. 

All in favor of dat motion say aye : all against it say no. It is decided 

in de affirmative. Now, gentlemen, I bet yon one hundred dollar he 
never be land-office money ! " Hard sense, like hard money, is always 
above par. 

This old Frenchman presents a fine figure np against the dark back- 
ground of most of his nation. They made no progress. Tiny clung to 
their earliest and simplest implements. They never wo or cap* 



HISTORY OP THE STATE OP ILLINOIS. 99 

They pulled their blankets over their heads in the winter like the Indians, 
with whom they freely intermingled. 

Demagogism had an early development. One John Grammar (only 
in name), elected to the Territorial and State Legislatures of 1316 and 
1830, invented the policy of opposing every new thing, savin--, "If it 
succeeds, no one will ask who voted against it. If it proves a failure, he 
could quote its record." In sharp contrast with Grammar was the char- 
acter of D. P. Cook, after whom the county containing Chicago was 
named. Such was his transparent integrity and remarkable ability that 
his will was almost the law of the State. In Congress, a young man, 
and from a poor State, he was made Chairman of the Ways and Means 
Committee. He was pre-eminent for standing by his committee, regard- 
less of consequences. It was his integrity that elected John Quincy 
Adams to the Presidency. There were four candidates in 182-1, Jackson, 
Clay, Crawford, and John Quincy Adams. There being no choice by the 
people, the election was thrown into the House. It was so balanced that 
it turned on his vote, and that he cast for Adams, electing him; then 
went home to face the wrath of the Jackson party in Illinois. It cost 
him all but character and greatness. It is a suggestive comment on the 
times, that there was no legal interest till 1830. It often reached 150 
per cent., usually 50 per cent. Then it was reduced to 12, and now to 
10 per cent. 

PHYSICAL FEATURES OF THE PRAIRIE STATE. 

In area the State has 55,410 square miles of territory. It is about 
150 miles wide and 400 miles long, stretching in latitude from Maine to 
North Carolina. It embraces wide variety of climate. It is tempered 
on the north by the great inland, saltless, tideless sea, which keeps the 
thermometer from either extreme. Being a table land, from 600 to 1,600 
feet above the level of the sea, one is prepared to find on the health 
maps, prepared by the general government, an almost clean and perfect 
record. In freedom from fever and malarial diseases ami consumptions, 
the three deadly enemies of the Ameriean Saxon, Illinois, as a State, 
stands without a superior. She furnishes one of the essential conditions 
of a great people — sound bodies. I suspect that this fact lies back of 
that old Delaware word, Illini, superior men. 

The great battles of history that have been determinative of dynas- 
ties and destinies have been strategical battles, chiefly the question of 
position. Thermopylae has been the wax-cry of freemen for twen /-four 
centuries. It only tells how much there may be in position. All this 
advantage belongs to Illinois. It is in the heart of the greatest valley in 
the world, the vast region between the mountains — a valley that could 



100 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

mankind for one thousand years. It is well on toward the center of 
the continent. It is in the greal temperate belt, in which have been 
found nearly all the ive civilizations of history. It has sixty-five 

miles of frontage on the head of the lake. With the Mississippi forming 
the western and southern boundary, with the Ohio running along the 
southeastern line, with the [Uinois River and Canal dividing the State 
diagonally from the lake to the Lower Mississippi, and with the Rock and 
Wabash Rivers furnishing altogether 2.000 miles of water-front, con- 
necting with, and running through, in all about 12.000 miles of navi- 
gable water. 

lint this is not all. These waters are made mosl available by the 

fact that the lake and the State lie on the ridge running into the meat 
valley from the east. Within cannon-shot of the lake the water runs 
away from the lake to the Gulf. The lake now empties at both ends, 
one into the Atlantic and one into the Gulf of Mexico. The lake thus 

Beems to hang over the land. This makes the dockage most serviceable; 
there ati- no steep banks to damage it. Both lake and river are made 
for use. 

The climate varies from Portland to Richmond ; it favors every pro- 
duct <>f the continent, including the tropics, with less than half a dozen 
exceptions. It produces every great nutriment of the world except ban- 
anas and rice. It is hardly too much to say that it is the mosl productive 
spol known to civilization. With the soil full of bread and the earth full 
of minerals; with an upper surface of food ami an under layer of fuel; 
with perfect natural drainage, and abundanl springs and streams and 
navigable rivers; half way between the forests of the North and the fruits 
of the South: within a <lay's ride of the great deposits of iron, coal, cop- 
per, lead, and zinc: containing and controlling the greal grain, cattle, 

pork, and lumber markets of the world, it is not Btrange that Illinoi> has 

the advantage of position. 

This advantage has been supplemented by the character of the popu- 
lation. In the early days when Illinois WB8 first admitted to the Union, 
her population were chiefly from Kentucky ami Virginia. But, in the 
conflict of ideas concerning slavery, a strong tide of emigration came m 
from tic Bast, and booh changed this composition. In 1^70 her non- 
native population were from colder soils. New York furnished 133,290; 
Ohio gave 162,623; Pennsylvania sent on 98,352; the entire South gave 

US Only 206,734. In all her cities, and in all her German and Scandina- 
vian and other foreign colonies, Illinois has only about one-fifth of her 
people of foreign birth. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 101 



PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT. 

One of the greatest elements in the early development of Illinois is 
the Illinois and Michigan Canal, connecting the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers with the lakes. It was of the utmost importance to the State. 
It was recommended by Gov. Bond, the first governor, in his first message. 
In 1821, the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying the route. 
Two bright young engineers surveyed it, and estimated the cost at 
$600,000 or $700,000. It finally cost $8,000,000. In 1825, a law was 
passed to incorporate the Canal Company, but no stock was sold. In 
1826, upon the solicitation of Cook, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land 
on the line of the work. In 1828, another law — commissioners appointed, 
and work commenced with new survey and new estimates. In 1834-35, 
George Farquhar made an able report on the whole matter. This was, 
doubtless, the ablest report ever made to a western legislature, and it 
became the model for subsequent reports and action. From this the 
work went on till it was finished in 1848. It cost the State a large 
amount of money ; but it gave to the industries of the State an impetus 
that pushed it up into the first rank of greatness. It was not built as a 
speculation any more than a doctor is employed on a speculation. But 
it has paid into the Treasary of the State an average annual net sum of 
over $111,000. 

Pending the construction of the canal, the land and town-lot fever 
broke out in the State, in 1834-35. It took on the malignant type in 
Chicago, lifting the town up into a city. The disease spread over the 
entire State and adjoining States. It was epidemic. It cut up men's 
farms without regard to locality, and jut up the purses of the purchasers 
without regard to consequences. It is estimated that building lots enough 
were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the 
United States. 

Towns and cities were exported to i\\e Eastern market by the ship- 
load. There was no lack of buyers. Every up-ship came freighted with 
speculators and their money. 

This distemper seized upon the Legislature in 1836-37, and left not 
one to tell the tale. They enacted a system of internal improvement 
without a parallel in the grandeur of its conception. They ordered the 
construction of 1,300 miles of railroad, crossing the State in all direc- 
tions. This was surpassed by the river and canal improvements. 
There were a few counties not touched by either railroad or river or 
canal, and those were to be comforted and compensated by the free dis- 
tribution of $200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond cre- 
dence it was ordered that work should be commenced on both ejids of 



[02 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ELLON »is. 

each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the 
Bame time. The appropriations for these vasl improvements were ovei 

v l 1^.000,000, ami commissioners were appointed to borrow the money <>n 

the credit of tin- State. Remember that all this was in the early day- <.t 
railroading, when railroads were luxuries; that the State had whole 
counties with scarcely a cabin : and that the population of the State was 
less than I" d yon can form Borne idea <>t" the vigor with which 

these brave men undertook the work of making a great State. In the 
light of history I ;mi compelled to say that this was only a premature 
throb of the power that actually slumbered in the soil of the State. It 
was I [ercules in the cradle. 

At this juncture the State Hank Loaned its fund- largely to Godfrey 

Oilman & Co.. and toother leading houses, for the purpose of drawing 
trade from St. Louis to Alton. Soon they failed, and took down the 
bank with them. 

In 1840, all hope seemed gone. A population of 480,000 were loaded 
with a debt of *1 1.000,000. It had only six small cities, really only 
towns, namely : Chicago, Alton. Springfield, Quincy, Galena, Nauvoo. 

This debt was to be cared for when there was not a dollar in the t: 

ury, and when the State had borrowed itself out of all credit, ami when 

there was not good money enough in the hands of all the people to pay 

the Interest of the debt for a Bingle year. Vet. in the presence of all 
these difficulties, th.e young State steadily refused to repudiate. Gov. 
Ford took hold of the problem and Bolved it, bringing the State through 
in triumph. 

Having touched lightly upon some of the more distinctive point- in 
the history of the development <>f Illinois, let us next briefly consider the 

MATERIAL RESOURCES <>K TIM: STATE. 

It is ;, garden four hundred miles long and our hundred ami fifty 
miles wide. Its soil i> chiefly a black sandy loam, from six inches to 
sixty feet thick. On the American bottoms it has been cultivated for 

one hundred and fifty years without renewal. About the old French 

town- ii ha- yielded coin for a century and a half without rest or help. 

It produces nearly everything green in the temperate and tropical zones. 

She leads all other Slates in the Dumber of acres actually under plow. 

II products from 25,000,000 of acres are incalculable. Her mineral 
wealth i- -c.in.lv second tu h<r agricultural power. She has coal, iron, 
lead, copper, zinc, many varieties of building Btone, tire clay, cuma clay, 
common brick day, sand of all kind-, gravel, mineral paint — every thing 
needed for a high civilization. Left to herself, she ha- the element- of 
all -ica; He--. The single item of coal is too vast for an appreciative 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 103 

handling in figures. We can handle it in general terms like algebraical 
signs, but long before Ave get up into the millions and billions the human 
mind drops down from comprehension to mere symbolic apprehension. 

When I tell you that nearly four-fifths of the entire State is under- 
laid with a deposit of coal more than forty feet thick on the average (now 
estimated, by recent surveys, at seventy feet thick), you can get some 
idea of its amount, as you do of the amount of the national debt. There 
it is ! 41,000 square miles — one vast mine into which you could put 
any of the States ; in which you could bury scores of European and 
ancient empires, and have room enough all round to work without know- 
ing that they had been sepulchered there. 

Put this vast coal-bed down by the other great coal deposits of the 
world, and its importance becomes manifest. Great Britain has 12,000 
square miles of coal ; Spain, 3,000; France, 1,719; Belgium, 578; Illinois 
about twice as many square miles as all combined. Virginia has 20,000 
square miles; Pennsylvania, 16,000; Ohio, 12,000. Illinois has 41,000 
square miles. One-seventh of all the known coal on this continent is in 
Illinois. 

Could we sell the coal in this single State for one-seventh of one cent 
a ton it would pay the national debt. Converted into power, even with 
the wastage in our common engines, it would do more work than could 
1)0 done by the entire race, beginning at Adam's wedding and working 
ten hours a day through all the centuries till the present time, and right 
on into the future at the same rate for the next 600,000 years. 

Great Britain uses enough mechanical power to-day to give to each 
man, woman, and child in the kingdom the help and service of nineteen 
untiring servants. No wonder she has leisure and luxuries. No wonder 
the home of the common artisan has in it more luxuries than could be 
found in the palace of good old King Arthur. Think, if you can conceive 
of it, of the vast army of servants that slumber in the soil of Illinois, 
impatiently awaiting the call of Genius to come forth to minister to our 
comfort. 

At the present rate of consumption England's coal supply will be 
exhausted in 2o0 years. When this is gone she must transfer her dominion 
either to the Indies, or to British America, which I would not resist; or 
to some other people, which I would regret as a loss to civilization. 

COAL IS KING. 

At the same rate of consumption (which far exceeds our own) the 
deposit of coal in Illinois will last 120,000 years. And her kingdom shall 
be an everlasting kingdom. 

Let us turn now from this reserve power to the annual products of 



101 HISTORY OF THK STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

the State. We shall not be humiliated in this field. Here we strike the 
secret of our national credit. Nature provides a market in the constant 
appetite of the race. Men must eat, and it' we can furnish the provisions 
we can command the treasure. All that a man hath will he give for his 
life. 

According to the last census Illinois produced :'>0,000,000 of bushels 
of wheat. That is more wheat than was raised by any other State in the 
Union. She raised In 187.". 130,000,000 of bushels of corn — twici 
much as any other State, and one-sixth of all the corn raised in the Tinted 
States. She harvested 2,747,000 tons of hay. nearly one-tenth of all the 
hay in tin.- Republic. It i> not generally appreciated, hut it is true, that 

the hay crop of the country is worth more than the cotton crop. The 

hay of Illinois equals the cotton of Louisiana. Go to Charleston, S. C, 
and Bee them peddling handfuls of hay or grass, almost as a curiosity, 
as we regard Chinese goda or the cryolite of Greenland; drink your 

eoftee ami condensed milk; and walk back from the coast for many a 
League through the sand and burs till von get up into the better atmos- 

phere of the mountains, without seeing a waving meadow or a grazing 
herd: then you will begin to appreciate the meadows of the Prairie State. 
where the grass often -tows sixteen feet high. 

The value of her farm implements is S'_ 11,000,000, ami the value of 
her livestock is only second to the great State of New York. in 1875 

she had 25, >,000 hogs, and packed 2,113,845, about one-half of all that 

were packed in the United States. This is no insignificant item. Pork 
is a growing demand of the old world. Sine.- the laborers of Europe 
have gotten a taste of our bacon, and we have learned how to pack it dry 

in boxes, like dry goods, the world has become the market. 

The hog is on the march into the future. His nose is ordained to 

uncover the Becrets of dominion, and his feet shall be guided by the star 

of empire. 

Illinois marketed ■<'>!, 000, 000 worth of slaughtered animals — more 
than any other State, ami a seventh of all the States. 

Be patient with me. ami pardon my pride, and I will give you a list 
of Borne of the things in which Illinois excels all other St.: 

Depth and richness of soil: per cent, of good ground; acres of 

improved land: Large farms — some farms contain from 40,000 to 60,000 

acres of cultivated land, 10, » acres of coin on a single farm ; number >>( 

farmers; amount of wheat, corn, oats and honey produced ; value of ani- 
mals for slaughter ; number of hogs; amount of pork: number of hi 

— three times as many as Kentucky, the horse State. 

Illinois excels all other States in miles of railroads and in miles of 
postal Bervioe, ami in money orders sold per annum, and in the amount of 
lumber sold in her mark' 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 105 

Illinois is only second in many important matters. This sample list 
comprises a few of the more important : Permanent school fund (good 
for a young state) ; total income for educational purposes ; number of pub- 
lishers of books, maps, papers, etc.; value of farm products and imple- 
ments, and of live stock ; in tons of coal mined. 

The shipping of Illinois is only second to New York. Out of one 
port during the business hours of the season of navigation she sends forth 
a vessel every ten minutes. This does not include canal boats, which go 
one every five minutes. No wonder she is only second in number of 
bankers and brokers or in physicians and surgeons. 

She is third in colleges, teachers and schools; cattle, lead, hay, 
flax, sorghum and beeswax. 

She is fourth in population, >"n children enrolled in public schools, in 
law schools, in butter, potatoes and carriages. 

She is fifth in value of real and personal property, jn theological 
seminaries and colleges exclusively for women, in milk sold, and in boots 
and shoes manufactured, and in book-binding. 

She is only seventh in the production of wood, while she is the 
twelfth in area. Surely that is well done for the Prairie State. She now 
has much more wood and growing timber than she had thirty years ago. 

A few leading industries will justif} r emphasis. She manufactures 
$205,000,000 worth of goods, which places her well up toward New York 
and Pennsylvania. The number of her manufacturing establishments 
increased from 1860 to 1870, 800 per cent.; capital employed increased 350 
per cent., and the amount of product increased 400 per cent. She issued 
5,500,000 copies of commercial and financial newspapers — only second to 
New York. She has 6,759 miles of railroad, thus leading all other States, 
worth $636,458,000, using 3,245 engines, and 67,712 cars, making a train 
long; enough to cover one-tenth of the entire roads of the State. Her 
stations are only five miles apart. She carried last year 15,795,000 passen- 
gers, an average of 36^ miles, or equal to taking her entire population twice 
across the State. More than two-thirds of her land is within five miles of 
a railroad, and less than two per cent, is more than fifteen miles away. 

The State has a large financial interest in the Illinois Central railroad. 
The road was incorporated in 1850, and the State gave each alternate sec- 
tion for six miles on each side, and doubled the price of the remaining 
land, so keeping herself good. The road received 2,595,000 acres of land, 
and pays to the State one-seventh of the gross receipts. The State 
receives this year $850,000, and has received in all about $7,000,000. It 
is practically the people's road, and it has a most able and gentlemanly 
management. Add to this the annual receipts from the canal, $111,000, 
and a large per cent, of the State tax is provided for. 



106 HISTORY OF THE STATK Of 11,1.1 



THE RELIGION AND MORALS 

of the State keep Btep with her productions and growth. She was born 
of the missionary spirit. It was a minister who secured for her the ordi- 
nance of 17 s ". by which she lias been saved from Blavery, ignorance, and 
dishonesty. Rev. Mr. Wiley, pastor of a Scotch congregation in Randolph 
County, petitioned the Constitutional Convention of 1818 to recognize 

is Christ as lvin'4. and the Scriptures a^ the only necessary guide and 
book of law. The convention did nol act in the case, and the old Cove- 
nant ers refused to accept citizenship. They never voted until 1824, when 
the slaver; question was submitted to the people: then they all voted 
inst it and cast the determining votes. Conscience has predominated 
whenever a great moral question has been submitted to the people. 

But little moli violence has ever been felt in the State. In 1817 

ilators disposed of a hand of horse-thieves that infested the territory. 
The Mormon indignities finally awoke the same spirit. Alton was 
the scene of a pro-slavery mob, in which Lovejoy was added to the list of 
martyrs. The moral sense of the people makes the law supreme, and gives 
to the State unruffled peace. 

With >^l!.-".i h i. iioo iii church property, and 4,298 church organizations, 

the State has that divine police, the Bleepless patrol ^<\' moral ideas, that 

alone is able to secure perfect safety. Conscience takes the knife from 
the assassin's hand and the bludgeon from the grasp of the highwayman. 
We Bleep in safety, not hecause we are behind holts and bars — these only 
fence against the innocent ; not because a lone officer drowses on a distant 

corner of H Street : not because a sheriff may call hi> posse from a remote 

pari of the county: but because cons uards the very portals of the 

air and stirs in the deepest recess< - of the public mind. This spirit issues 
within the State 9,500,000 copies of religious papers annually, and receives 
still more from without. Thus the crime of the State is only one-fourth 
that of New York and one-half that of Pennsylvania. 

Illinois never had but one duel between her own citizens. In Belle- 
ville, in 1820, Aiphonso Stewart and William Bennett arranged to vindi- 
injured honor. The seconds agreed to make it a Bham, and make 
them shoot blanks. Stewart was in the secret. Bennett mistrusted some- 
thing, and. unobserved, slipped a bullet into his gun and killed Stewart. 
He then (led the State. After t" he was caught, tried, convicted, 

and. in Bpite of friends and political aid. was hung. This fixed tin' code 

Of honor on a Christian hasis. and terminated its Use in Illinois. 

The early preachers were ignorant men, who were accounted eloquent 

according to the Btrength of their voices. lint they set the style lor all 

public speakers. Lawyers and political speakers followed this rule. Gov. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 107 

Ford says: "Nevertheless, these first preachers were of incalculable 
benefit to the country. They inculcated justice and morality. To them 
are we indebted for the first Christian character of the Protestant portion 
of the people." 

In education Illinois surpasses her material resources. The ordinance 
of 1787 consecrated one thirty -sixth of her soil to common schools, and 
the law of 1818, the first law that went upon her statutes, gave three per 
cent, of all the rest to 

EDUCATION. 

The old compact secures this interest forever, and by its yoking 
morality and intelligence it precludes the legal interference with the Bible 
in the public schools. With such a start it is natural that we should have 
11,050 schools, and that our illiteracy should be less than New York or 
Pennsylvania, and only about one-half of Massachusetts. We are not to 
blame for not having more than one-half as many idiots as the great 
States. These public schools soon made colleges inevitable. The first 
college, still flourishing, was started in Lebanon in 1828, by the M. E. 
church, and named after Bishop McKendree. Illinois College, at Jackson- 
ville, supported by the Presbyterians, followed in 1830. In 1832 the Bap- 
tists built Shurtleff College, at Alton. Then the Presbyterians built Knox 
College, at Galesburg, in 1838, and the Episcopalians built Jubilee College* 
at Peoria, in 1847. After these early years colleges have rained down. 
A settler could hardly encamp on the prairie but a college would spring 
up by his wagon. The State now has one very well endowed and equipped 
university, namely, the Northwestern University, at Evanston, with six 
colleges, ninety instructors, over 1,000 students, and $ 1,500,000 endow- 
ment. 

Rev. J. M. Peck was the first educated Protestant minister in tne 
State. He settled at Rock Spring, in St. Clair County, 1820, and left his 
impress on the State. Before 1837 only party papers were published, but 
Mr. Peck published a Gazetteer of Illinois. Soon after John Russell, of 
Bluffdale, published essays and tales showing genius. Judge James Hall 
published The Illinois Monthly Magazine with great ability, and an annual 
called The Western Souvenir, which gave him an enviable fame all over the 
United States. From these beginnings Illinois has gone on till she has 
more volumes in public libaaries even than Massachusetts, and of the 
44,500,000 volumes in all the public libraries of the United States, she 
has one-thirteenth. In newspapers she stands fourth. Her increase is 
marvelous. In 1850 she issued 5,000,000 copies; in 1860, 27,590,000 ; in 
1870, 113,140,000. In 1860 she had eighteen colleges and seminaries ; in 
1870 she had eighty. That is a grand advance for the war decade. 

This brings us to a record unsurpassed in the history of any age, 



1<» HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 



THE WAR RECORD OF ILLINOIS 

I hardly know where to begin, or how to advance, or what to say. 1 
can at best give you only a broken Bynopsis of her deeds, and yOu must 
pal them in the order of glory for yourself. Her Bona have always been 
foremost on fields of danger. In 1832-o-".. at the call of Gov. Reym 
her Bona drove Blackhawk over the Mississippi. 

When the Mexican war fame, in May, 1846, v . : '.7" men offered tb< m- 
aelvea when onlj >uld be accepted. The fields of Buena Vista and 
Cruz, and the Btorming of Cerro Gordo, will carry the glory of Illinois 
soldiers along after the infamy of the cause they Berved has been forgotten. 
Hut it was reserved till our day for her sons to find a field and cause and 
foemen that could fitly illustrate their spirit and heroism. Illinois put 
into her own regiments for the United States government 256, I men, 

and into the army through other States enough to swell the number to 
290,000. This far exceeds all the soldiers of the federal government IQj 
all the war of the revolution. Her total years of service were over 600,000. 
She enrolled men from eighteen to forty-live years of age when the law 
of Congress in 1X04 — the test tiim — only a8ked for those from lwent\ to 
forty-live. Her enrollment was otherwise excessive. Her people wanted 
to go, "and did not take the pains to correct the enrollment. Thus the 
basis of fixing the quota was too great, and then the quota itself, at Least 

in the trying time, was far above any other State. 

Thus the demand on some counties, as Monroe, for example, took every 
able-bodied man in the county, and then did not have enough to fill the 
(plot a. Moreover, Illinois sent 20,8-1 1 men for ninety or one hundred day-. 
vlimii no credit was asked. When Mr. Lincoln's attention was called 
to the inequality of the quota compared with other States, he replied, 
"The country needs the sacrifice. We must put the whip on the 
horse." In Bpite of all these disadvantages Qlinois gave to the country 
7:'..' years of service above all calls. With one-thirteenth of the popu- 
lation of the loyal States, she sent regularly one-tenth of all the Boldiers, 

and in the peril of the closing calls, when patriots were few and weary, 

she then sent one-eighth of all that were called for by her loved and hon- 
ored >on in the white house. Hei mothers and daughters went into the 
fields to raise the -tain ami keep the children together, while the fathers 

and older sons went to the harvest fields of the world. I knew a father 

ami four son- who agreed that one of them must stay at home; and they 
pulled straws from a stack to see who might go. The father was left. 

The next day he came into the camp, saying : " Mother siv> she ean gel 
the crop-, in. and 1 am going, tOO." I know hi: Methodist ehureheS 

from which every male member went to the army. Do you want to know 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. ld'J 

what these heroes from Illinois did in the field ? Ask any soldier with a 
good record of his own, who is thus able to judge, and he will tell you 
that the Illinois men went in to win. It is common history that the greater 
victories were won in the West. When everything else looked dark Illi- 
nois was gaining victories all down the river, and dividing the confederacy. 
Sherman took with him on his great march forty-live regiments of Illinois 
infantry, three companies of artillery, and one company of cavalry. He 
could not avoid 

GOING TO THE SEA. 

If he had been killed, I doubt not the men would have gone right on. 
Lincoln answered all rumors of Sherman's defeat with, " It is impossible ; 
there is a mighty sight of fight in 100,000 Western men." Illinois soldiers 
brought home 300 battle-flags. The first United States flag that floated 
over Richmond was an Illinois flag. She sent messengers and nurses to 
every field and hospital, to care for her sick and wounded sons. She said, 
*• These suffering ones are my sons, and I will care for them." 

When individuals had given all, then cities and towns came forward 
with their credit to the extent of many millions, to aid these men and 
their families. 

Illinois gave the country the great general of the war — Ulysses S. 
Grant — since honored with two terms of the Presidency of the United 
States. 

One other name from Illinois comes up in all minds, embalmed in all 
hearts, that must have the supreme place in this story of our glory and 
of our nation's honor ; that name is Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. 

The analysis of Mr. Lincoln's character is difficult on account of its 
symmetry. 

In this age we look with admiration at his uncompromising honesty. 
And well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length 
and breadth of our country who knew him only as " Honest Old Abe," 
voted for him on that account ; and wisely did they choose, for no other 
man could have carried us through the fearful night of the war. When 
his plans were too vast for our comprehension, and his faith in the cause 
too sublime for our participation : when it Mas all night about us, and all 
dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray 
shone upon our cause ; when traitors were haughty and exultant at the 
South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North ; when the loyal men heie 
seemed almost in the minority ; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest 
cheek paled ; when generals were defeating each other for place and 
contractors were leeching out the very heart's blood of the prostrate 
republic: when every thing else had failed us, we looked at this calm, 
patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said: "Mr. Lincoln 



lid HISTORY OF I UK STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

is b< nest, and we can trust him still."* Holding to this single point with 
the energy of faith and despair we held together, and, under God, he 
brought us through t<> victory. 

His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such 

liutv did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his 
foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. 

He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory shall shed a 
glory upon this age that shall fill the eyes of men as they look into his- 
tory. Other men have excelled him in Borne point, but, taken at all 
points, all in all. he Btands head and shoulders above every other man of 
Ij.OOi) years. An adminUt rat or. In- Baved the nation in the perils of 
unparalleled civil war. A statesman, he justified his measures by their 
mccess. A philanthropist, he gave liberty to one race and salvation to 

bher. A moralist, he bowed from the summit of human power t" 
foot of the ( Iross, and became a Christian. A mediator, he exercised mercy 
under the most absolute abeyance to law. A leader, he was no partisan. 
\ immander, he was untainted with Mood. A ruler in desperate time-.. 
he was unsullied with crime. A man, he has left no word of passion, no 
thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of 
Belfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model, and without a peer, 
he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that 

i- g 1 and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming 

time the representative of the divine idea of free government. 

It is not too much to say that awav down in the future, when the 
republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when th 
war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a misl on the horizon : 
when the Anglo-Saxon language shall lie spoken only by the tongue of 
the stranger; then the generations looking this way shall see the great 
president as the supreme figure in this vortex of historv 

CHICAGO. 

It is impossible in our brief space to c r ive more than a meager sketch 
of such a oity as Chicago, which is in itself the greatest marvel of the 
Prairie Mate. This mysterious, majestic, mighty city, horn first of water, 

and next of tire: sown in weakness, and raised in power: planted among 
the willow- of the marsh, and crowned with the -lory of the mountains ; 
sleeping on the bosom of the prairie, ami rocked on the bosom "f the Bea . 
the youngest city of the world, and still the eve of the prairie, as Damas- 
cus, the oldest city of the world, i^ the eye of the desert. With a com- 
merce far exceeding that of Corinth on her isthmus, in the highway to 
the Bast : with the defenses of a continent piled around her by the thou- 
sand miles, making her far safer than Rome on the banks oi the Til 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. ill 

with schools eclipsing Alexandria and Athens : with liberties more con- 
spicuous than those of the old republics ; with a heroism equal to the first 
Carthage, and with a sanctity scarcely second to that of Jerusalem — sei 
your thoughts on all this, lifted into the eyes of all men by the miracle of 
its growth, illuminated by the flame of its fall, and transfigured by the 
divinity of its resurrection, and you will feel, as I do, the utter impossi- 
bility of compassing this subject as it deserves. Some impression of her 
importance is received from the shock her burning gave to the civilized 
world. 

When the doubt of her calamity was removed, and the horrid fact 
was accepted, there went a shudder over all cities, and a quiver over all 
lands. There was scarcely a town in the civilized world that did not 
shake on the brink of this opening chasm. The flames of our homes red- 
dened all skies. The city was set upon a hill, and could not be hid. Al'i 
eyes were turned upon it. To have struggled and suffered amid the 
scenes of its fall is as distinguishing as to have fought at Thermopylae, or 
Salamis, or Hastings, or Waterloo, or Bunker Hill. 

Its calamity amazed the world, because it was felt to be the common 
property of mankind. 

The early history of the city is full of interest, just as the early his- 
tory of such a man as Washington or Lincoln becomes public property, 
and is cherished by every patriot. 

Starting with 560 acres in 1833, it embraced and occupied 23,000 
acres in 1869, and, having now a population of more than 500,000, it com- 
mands general attention. 

The first settler — Jean Baptiste Pointe au Sable, a mulatto from the 
West Indies — came and began trade with the Indians in 1796. John 
Kinzie became his successor in 1804, in which year Fort Dearborn was 
erected. 

A mere trading-post was kept here from that time till about the time 
of the Blackhawk war, in 1832. It was not the city. It was merely a 
cock crowing at midnight. The morning was not yet. In 1833 the set- 
tlement about the fort was incorporated as a town. The voters were 
divided on the propriety of such corporation, twelve voting for it and one 
against it. Four years later it was incorporated as a city, and embraced 
560 acres. 

The produce handled in this city is an indication of its power. Grain 
and flour were imported from the East till as late as 1837. The first 
exportation by way of experiment was in 1839. Exports exceeded imp 
first in 1842. The Board of Trade was organized in 1848, but it was bo 
weak that it needed nursing till 1855. Grain was purchased by the 
wagon-load in the street. 

I remember sitting with my father on a load of wheat, in the long 



112 HJBTOBY OF THE BTATE OF ILLINOIS. 

line of wagons along Lake street, while the buyers came and untied the 
. and examined the -rain, and made their bids. That manner of 
business had to cease with the day of small thin — . V>w our eleval 
will hold 15,000,000 bushel- tin. The cash value of the produce 

handled in a year is -rJlo.OUO.nOO. and the produce weighs 7,000, 

tons or 700,000 cat loads. This handles thirteen and a half ton each 
minute, all the year round. One tenth of all the wheal in the United 
States is handled in Chicago. Even as long L863 the receipts of 

grain in Chicago i xceeded those of the goodly city of St. Louis, and in 
1854 the exports of grain from Chicago exceeded those of New York and 
doubled those of St. Petersburg, Archangel, or Odessa, the largest grain 
markets in Europe. 

The manufacturing interests of tin- city are not contemptible. In 
1873 manufactories employed 45,000 operatives j in 1876,60.000. The 
manufactured product in 1875 was worth ^177,000,000. 

No estimate of the size and power of Chicago would be adequate 
that did not put Large emphasis on the railroads. Before they came 
thundering along our streets canals were the hope of our country. But 
who ever thinks now of traveling by canal packets/ En June, 1852, 
then- were only forty miles of railroad connected with the city. The 
old Galena division of the Northwestern ran out to Elgin. But now, 
who can count the trains and measure the roads that Beek a terminus or 
connection in this city? Tin- lake stretches away to the north, gathering 

in to this center all the harvests that might otherwise pass to the north 
of us. If you will take a map and look at the adjustment of railroads, 
you will Bee, first, thai Chicago is the great railroad center Of the world. 

.^ New York is the commercial city of this continent : and, second, that 
tin- railroad lines form the iron spokes of a great wheel whose hub is 
this city. The lake furnishes tin- only break in the spokes, and this 

Seem8 -imply to have pushed a few spokes together on each shore. 

the eighteen trunk lines, exclusive of eastern connections. 

Pass round the circle, and view their numbers and extent. There 
is ti; • Northwestern, with all its branches, one branch creeping 

along the lake BhoEe, ami BO reaching to the north, into the Lake Superior 

regions, away to the right, and on to the Northern Pacific on the left, 
swinging around Green Bay for iron and copper ami ulver, twelvemonths 

in the year, and reaching out for the wealth of the great agricultural 

helt ami isothermal line traversed by the Northern Pacific. Another 
branch, not so far north, feeling tor the heart of the Badger Mate. 
Another pushing lower down the Mississippi — all the.se make many con- 
nections, ami tapping all the vast wheat regions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, 
Iowa, and all the regions this -ide of Bunset. There is that elegant road. 
the Chicago, Burlington A Quinoy, running out a goodly number of 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 113 

branches, and reaping the great fields this side of the Missouri River. 
I can only mention the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis, our Illinois Central, 
described elsewhere, and the Chicago & Rock Island. Further around 
we come to the lines connecting us with all the eastern cities. Tin- 
Chicago, Indianapolis & St. Louis, the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan Cen- 
tral and Great Western, give us many highways to the seaboard. Thus we 
reach the Mississippi at five points, from St. Paul to Cairo and the Gulf 
itself by two routes. We also reach Cincinnati and Baltimore, and Pitts- 
burgh and Philadelphia, and New York. North and south run the water 
courses of the lakes and the rivers, broken just enough at this point to 
make a pass. Through this, from east to west, run the long lines that 
stretch from ocean to ocean. 

This is the neck of the glass, and the golden sands of commerce 
must pass into our hands. Altogether we have more than 10,000 miles 
of railroad, directly tributary to this city, seeking to unload their wealth 
in our coffers. All these roads have come themselves by the infallible 
instinct of capital. Not a dollar was ever given by the city to secure 
one of them, and only a small per cent, of stock taken originally by her 
citizens, and that taken simply as an investment. Coming in the natural 
order of events, they will not be easily diverted. 

There is still another showing to all this. The connection between 
New York and San Francisco is by the middle route. This passes inevit- 
ably through Chicago. St. Louis wants the Southern Pacific or Kansas 
Pacific, and pushes it out through Denver, and so on up to Cheyenne. 
But before the road is fairly under way, the Chicago roads shove out to 
Kansas City, making even the Kansas Pacific a feeder, and actually leav- 
ing St. Louis out in the cold. It is not too much to expect that Dakota, 
Montana, and Washington Territory will find their great market in Chi- 
cago. 

But these are not all. Perhaps I had better notice here the ten or 
fifteen new roads that have just entered, or are just entering, our city. 
Their names are all that is necessary to give. Chicago & St. Paul, look- 
ing up the Red River country to the British possessions ; the Chicago, 
Atlantic & Pacific ; the Chicago, Decatur & State Line ; the Baltimore & 
Ohio; the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes; the Chicago & LaSalle Rail- 
road; the Chicago, Pittsburgh & Cincinnati ; the Chicago and Canada 
Southern ; the Chicago and Illinois River Railroad. These, with their 
connections, and with the new connections of the old roads, already in 
process of erection, give to Chicago not less than 10,000 miles of new 
tributaries from the richest land on the continent. Thus there will be 
added to the reserve power, to the capital within reach of this city, not 
less than $1,000,000,000. 



114 HISTORY OF THK BTATB OF DLLINOI8. 

A.dd to all this transporting power the ships that sail one every nine 
minutes of t h«- business hours <>t' tin- season of navigation ; add, also, the 
i\ boats that Leave one every five minutes during the Bame time — and 
you will see something of the business of the city. 

THE COMMERCE OF THIS CITY 

has been leaping along to keep pace with the growth of the country 
around us. In L8&2, our commerce reached the hopeful sum ot 
120,000,000. [nl870it reached 1400,000,000. In 1871 it was pushed 
up above $450,000,000. And in l s 7">ii touched nearly double that. 

< ne -half of our imported goods oome directly to Chicago. Grain 
enough is exported directly from our docks to the old world to employ a 
semi-weekly line of Bteamers of 3,000 tons capacity. 'This branch is 
nol likely to be greatly developed. Even after the greal Welland Canal 
is c impleted we shall have only fourteen feet of water. The iean 

Is will continue t<> cont ml the i rade. 

The banking capital of Chicago is *24.4ol.ooii. Total exchange in 

L875, 1659, ». Her wholesale business in 1^7-"» was 1294,000, 

Tin- rate of taxes is less than in any other great city. 

The schools "I' ( Jhicago are unsurpassed in America. < >ut of a popu- 
lation of 300,000 tier.' were only L86 persons between tie- ages of -ix 
ami twenty-one unable to read. This is the best known record. 

In \^-\\ tie- mail system was condensed into a half-breed, who went 

on fool t" Nih-s. Mich., Once in two weeks, and brought hack what papers 

and news he could find. As laic a- 1846 there was often only one mail 
a week. A post-office was established in Chicago in 1838, and the post- 

master nailed up old boot-legs on one side of his shop to Berve as I 
for i he nabobs and literary men. 

It is an interesting fact in the growth of the young city 'hat in the 

active life of the business men of that day tie- mail matter has grown to 
a daily average of over 6,500 pounds. It speaks equally well for the 
intelligence of the people and the commercial importance of the place, 
that the mail matter distributed to the territory immediately tributary to 
Chicago i- seven times greater than that distributed to the territory 
immediately tributary to St. Louis. 

The improvements that have characterised the city are as startling 
as the city itself. In 1831, Mark Beaubien established a ferry over the 
river, and put himself under bonds to carry all the citizens free for the 
privilege of charging Btrangers. Now there are twenty-four large bri< 
and I wo tunnels. 

In L888 the government expended -130,000 on the harbor. Then 

Commenced that series of manCBUVers with ti that has made it one 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 115 

of the world's curiosities. It used to wind around in the lower end of 
the town, and make its way rippling over the sand into the lake at the 
foot of Madison street. They took it up and put it down where it now 
is. It was a narrow stream, so narrow that even moderately small crafts 
had to go up through the willows and cat's tails to the point near Lake 
street bridge, and back up one of the branches to get room enough in 
which to turn around. 

In 1844 the quagmires in the streets were first pontooned by plank 
roads, which acted in wet weather as public squirt-guns. Keeping you 
out of the mud, they compromised by squirting the mud over you. The 
wooden-block pavements came to Chicago in 1857. In 1840 water was 
delivered by peddlers in carts or by hand. Then a twenty-five horse- 
power engine pushed it through hollow or bored logs along the streets 
till 1854, when it was introduced into the houses by new works. The 
first fire-engine was used in 1835, and the first steam fire-engine in 1859. 
Gas was utilized for lighting the city in 1850. The Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association was organized in 1858, and horse railroads carried them 
to their work in 1859. The museum was opened in 1863. The alarm 
telegraph adopted in 1864. The opera-house built in 1865. The city 
grew from 560 acres in 1833 to 23,000 in 1869. In 1834, the taxes 
amounted to $48.90, and the trustees of the town borrowed $60 more for 
opening and improving streets. In 1835, the legislature authorized a loan 
of $2,000, and the treasurer and street commissioners resigned rather than 
plunge the town into such a gulf. 

Now the city embraces 36 square miles of territory, and has 30 miles 
of water front, besides the outside harbor of refuge, of 400 acres, inclosed 
by a crib sea-wall. One-third of the city has been raised up an average 
of eight feet, giving good pitch to the 263 miles of sewerage. The water 
of the city is above all competition. It is received through two tunnels 
extending to a crib in the lake two miles from shore. The closest analy- 
sis fails to detect any impurities, and, received 35 feet below the surface, 
it is always clear and cold. The first tunnel is five feet two inches in 
diameter and two miles long, and can deliver 50,000,000 of gallons per 
day. The second tunnel is seven feet in diameter and six miles long, 
running four miles under the city, and can deliver 100,000,000 of gal- 
lons per day. This water is distributed through 410 miles of water- 
mains. 

The three grand engineering exploits of the city are : First, lifting 
the city up on jack-screws, whole squares at a time, without Interrupting 
the business, thus giving us good drainage ; second, running tin' tunnels 
under the lake, giving us the best water in the world : and third, the 
turning the current of the river in its own channel, delivering us from the 
old abominations, and making decency possible. They redound about 



110 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

equally to the credit of the engineering, to the energy of the people, and 
to the health of the city. 

That which really constitutes the city, its Indescribable spirit, its soul, 
the way it Lights up in every feature in the hoax of action, has not been 
touched. In meeting Btrangers, one is often surprised how some homely 
women many bo well. Their forms are bad, their gait uneven and awk- 
ward, their complexion is dull, their features are misshapen and mismatch' 
ed, and when we see them there is no beauty that we should desire them. 
But when once they are aroused on some subject, they put on new pro- 
portions. They lighl up into great power. The real person comes out 
from its unseemly ambush, and captures us at will. They have power. 
They have ability to cause things to come to pass. We no longer wonder 

why they are in such high demand. So it is with our city. 

There i- no grand scenery except the two seas, one of water, the 

other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about it. a push, a breadth, 

a power, that Boon makes it a place never to be forsaken. One soon 

i believe in impossibilities. Balaams are the only prophets that an 

disappointed. The bottom that has been <»n the point of falling out has 
been there so long that it has grown fast. It can not fall out. It has all 
the capital of the world itching to get inside the corporation. 

The two great laws that govern the growth and size of cities are. 
Srst, the amount of territory for which they are the distributing ami 

receiving points ; second, the number of medium or moderate dealers that 
do this distributing. Monopolists build up themselves, not the cities. 
They neither eat. wear, nor live in proportion to their business. Both 
these Laws help Chicago. 

The tide of trade is eastward — not up or down the map. but a 

the map. The lake runs up a wingdam tor 500 miles to gather in the 
business. Commerce can not ferry np their for seven months in the year, 

and the facilities for seven month, ,-an do the work for twelve. Then the 

r, region west of na is nearly all good, productive land. Drop; 
BOUth into the trail of St. Louis, you fall into va-t desert8 and rocky dis- 
tricts, Useful in holding the world her. St. Louis and Cincinnati, 

instead of rivaling ami hurting Chicago, are her greatest sureties of 
dominion. They are far enough away to give sea-room, farther off than 

I'aris is from London, — and yet they are near enough to prevent the 
Bpringing up of any other greal city between them. 

St. Louis will l>e helped by the opening of the Mississippi, but 

hurt. That will put New Orleans on her feet, and with a railroad running 
Over into Texas and -o West, >h«' will tap the stream- th.it now crawl up 

the Texas and Missouri road. The current is Bast, not North, ami a sea- 
port at New Orleans can not permanently help St. bonis. 

Chicago is in the tield almost alone, to handle the wealth of 0U9- 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 117 

fourth of the territory of this great republic. This strip of seacoast 
divides its margins between Portland, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, 
Baltimore and Savannah, or some other great port to be created for the 
South in the next decade. But Chicago has a dozen empires casting their 
treasures into her lap. On a bed of coal that can run all the machinery 
of the world for 500 centuries ; in a garden that can feed the race by the 
thousand years; at the head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a 
summer resort equaled by no great city in the land ; with a climate that 
insures the health of her citizens ; surrounded by all the great deposits 
of natural wealth in mines aud forests and herds, Chicago is the wonder 
of to-day, and will be the city of the future. 

MASSACRE AT FORT DEARBORN. 

During the war of 1812, Fort Dearborn became the theater of stirring 
events. The garrison consisted of fifty-four men under command of 
Captain Nathan Heald, assisted by Lieutenant Helm (son-in-law of Mrs. 
Kinzie) and Ensign Ronan. Dr. Voorhees was surgeon. The only resi- 
dents at the post at that time were the wives of Captain Heald and Lieu- 
tenant Helm, and a few of the soldiers, Mr. Kinzie and his family, and 
a few Canadian voyageurs, with their wives and children. The soldiers 
and Mr. Kinzie were on most friendly terms with the Pottawattamies 
and Winnebagos, the principal tribes around them, but they could not 
win them from their attachment to the British. 

One evening in April, 1812, Mr. Kinzie sat playing on his violin and 
his children were dancing to the music, when Mrs. Kinzie came rushing 
into the house, pale with terror, and exclaiming: "The Indians! the 
Indians!" "What? Where?" eagerly inquired Mr. Kinzie. "Up 
at Lee's, killing and scalping," answered the frightened mother, who, 
when the alarm was given, was attending Mrs. Barnes (just confined) 
living not far off. Mr. Kinzie and his family crossed the river and took 
refuge in the fort, to which place Mrs. Barnes and her infant not a day 
old were safely conveyed. The rest of the inhabitants took shelter in the 
fort. This alarm was caused by a scalping party of Winnebagos, who 
hovered about the fort several days, when they disappeared, and for several 
weeks the inhabitants were undisturbed. 

On the 7th of August, 1812, General Hull, at Detroit, sent orders to 
Captain Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn, and to distribute all the United 
Slates property to the Indians in the neighborhood — a most insane order. 
The Pottawattamie chief, who brought the dispatch, had more wisdom 
than the commanding general. He advised Captain Heald not to make 
the distribution. Said he: "Leave the fort and Btores as they are. and 
let the Indians make distribution for themselves: and while they are 
engaged in the business, the white people may escape to Fort Wayne. 



11*- HISTOKY OF T1IK STATE OF ILLINOIS. 

Captain Heald held a council with the Indian- on the afternoon ,•: 
the L2th, in which his officers refused to join, for they had been informed 
thai treachery was designed — that the Indians intended to murder the 
White people in the council, and thee destroy those in the fort. Captain 
II d. however, took the precaution to open a port-hole displaying a 
cannon pointing directly upon the council, and by that means Bayed 
his life. 

Mr. Kinrie, who knew the Indians well, begged Captain Heald not 

infide in their promises, nor distribute the arms and munitions among 
them, for it would only put [tower into their hands to destroy the wh 
\ ag upon this advice, Heald resolved to withhold the munitions of 
w.i. : and on the oighl of the 13th, after the distribution of the other 
propert v had been mad'', the powder, ball and liquors were thrown into 
the river, the muskets broken up and destroyed. 

Black Partridge, a friendly chief, came to Captain Heald. and said: 
" Linden birds have been singing in my ears to-day: be careful on the 
march you are going to take." On that dark night vigilant Indians had 
crepl near the fori and discovered the destruction of their promised booty 
going on within. The next morning the powder was Been Gloating on the 
surface of the river. The Bavages were exasperated and made loud com- 
plaints and threats. 

On the following day when preparations were making to leave the 
fort, and all the inmates were deeply impressed with a sense of impend- 
ing danger, Capt. Wells, an uncle of Mrs. Heald, was discovered upon 
the Indian trail anion- the sand-hills mi the borders of the lake, not far 
distant, with a band of mounted Miamis. of whose tribe he was chief, 
having been adopted by the famous Miami warrior. Little Turtle. When 
news of Hull's surrender reached Fori Wayne, he had started with this 
force to assisl Heald in defending Fori Dearborn, tie was too late. 

Every means for its defense had 1 n destroyed the uight before, and 

arrangements were made for leaving the fori on the morning of the 15th. 

It was a warm brighl morning in the middle of August. Indications 

were positive that the Bavage8 intended tO murder the white people; and 

when they moved ou1 of the southern gate of the fort, the march was 

like a funeral procession. The band, feeling the solemnity of th >oa- 

sion, struck up the Head March in Saul. 

Capt. Wells, who had blackened his face with gun-powdei in I 
of his fate, took the Lead with his band of Miamis. followed b\ Capt 

II iid. with his wife by his side OD horseback. Mr. Kinzic hoped by his 

personal influence to avert the impending blow, and therefore accompanied 
them, leaving his family in a boat in charge of a friendly Indian, to be 
taken to his trading station at the Bite of NTilee, Michigan, in the event ol 
hi^ death. 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. 11!» 

The procession moved slowly along- the lake shore till they readied 
the sand-hills between the prairie and the beach, when the Pottawattamie 
escort, under the leadership of Blackbird, filed to the right, placing those 
hills between them and the white people. Wells, with his Miamis, had 
kept in the advance. They suddenly came rushing back, Wells exclaim- 
ing, " They are about to attack us; form instantly." These words were 
quickly followed by a storm of bullets, which came whistling over the 
little hills which the treacherous savages had made the covert for their 
murderous attack. The white troops charged upon the Indians, drove 
them back to the prairie, and then the battle was waged between fifty- 
four soldiers, twelve civilians and three or four women (the cowardly 
Miamis having fled at the outset) against five hundred Indian warriors. 
The white people, hopeless, resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. 
Ensign Ronan wielded his weapon vigorously, even after falling upo» his 
knees weak from the loss of blood. Capt. Wells, who was by the side of 
his niece, Mis. Heald, when the conflict began, behaved with the greatest 
coolness and courage. He said to her, " We have not the slightest chance 
for life. We must part to meet no more in this world. God bless you." 
And then he dashed forward. Seeing a young warrior, painted like a 
demon, climb into a wagon in which were twelve children, and tomahawk 
them all, he cried out, unmindful of his personal danger, " If that is your 
game, butchering women and children, I will kill too." He spurred his 
horse towards the Indian camp, where they had left their squaws and 
papooses, hotly pursued by swift-footed young warriors, Avho sent bullets 
whistling after him. One of these killed his horse and wounded him 
severely in the leg. With a yell the young braves rushed to make him 
their prisoner and reserve him for torture. He resolved not to be made 
a captive, and by the use of the most provoking epithets tried to induce 
them to kill him instantly. He called a fiery young chief a gquaw, when 
the enraged warrior killed Wells instantly with his tomahawk, .jumped 
upon his body, cut out his heart, and ate a portion of the warm morsel 
with savage delight ! 

In this fearful combat women bore a conspicuous part. Mrs. Heald 
was an excellent equestrian and an expert in the use of the rifle. She 
fought the savages bravely, receiving several severe wounds. Though 
faint from the loss of blood, she managed to keep her saddle. A savage 
raised his tomahawk to kill her, when she looked him full in the face, 
and with a sweet smile and in a gentle voice said, in his own language, 
" Surely you will not kill a squaw ! " The arm of the savage fell, and 
the life of the heroic woman was saved. 

Mrs. Helm, the step-daughter of Mr. Kinzie, had an encounter with 
a stout Indian, who attempted to tomahawk her. Springing to one side, 
she received the glancing blow on her shoulder, and at the same instant 



12<i HISTOKY OF THE BTATB OF ll.i.tN'Us. 

seized tie ■ round the neck with her arms and endeavored to get 

hold of his Boalping knife, which hung in a sheath at his l>rcas-i . While 
Bhe was thus struggling Bhe was dragged from her antagonist by anothei 
powerful Indian, who bore her, in spite of her struggles, to the mat 
of the lake and plunged her in. To her astonishment she was held by 

him BO that Bhe would not drown, and she soon perceived that she was 

in the hands of the friendly Black Partridge, who had saved her life. 

The wife of Sergeant Holt, a large and powerful woman, behaved as 
bravely as an Amazon. She rode a fine, high-spirited horse, which the 
Indians coveted, and several of them attacked her with the butts of then 
guns, for the purpose of dismounting her; but she used the sword which 
she had snatched from her disabled husband so skillfully that she foiled 
them : and. suddenly wheeling her horse, she dashed over the prairie, 
followed by the savages shouting, " The brave woman 1 the brave woman! 
Don't hurt her!" They finally overtook her. and while Bhe was fighting 
them in front, a powerful savage came up behind her. Beized her by the 
neck and dragged her to the ground. Horse and woman were made 

captive-,. Mrs. Holt was a long time a captive among the Indians, hut 

was afterwards ransomed. 

In this sharp conflict two-thirds of the white people were slain and 
wounded, and all their horses, h ami provision were lost. Only 

twenty-eight Straggling men now remained to fight five hundred Indians 
rendered furious by the Bight of blood. They succeeded in breaking 
through the ranks of the murderers and gaining a Blight eminence on the 
prairie near the Oak Woods. The Indians did not pursue, but gathered 
on their flanks, while the chiefs held a consultation on the sand-hills, and 
showed signs of willingness to parley. It would have been madness on 
tin- part of the whites to renew the fight : and so ('apt. Heald went for- 
ward and met Blackbird on the open prairie, where terms of surrendei 
were soon agreed upon. It was arranged thai the white people should 
■ up their arms to Blackbird, and that the survivors should become 
prisoners of war. to he exchanged for ransoms a- booh as practicable. 

With this understanding captives ami captors started for the Indian 
camp near the fort, to which Mr-. Helm hail been taken bleeding and 

Buffering by Black Partridge, and had met her Btep-father and learned 

that her husl.and was SI 

A new Bcene of horror was now opened at the Indian camp. The 
wounded, not being included in the terms of surrender, as it was inter- 
preted by the Indians, and the British general, Proctor, having offered a 

libera] bounty for American BCalpS, delivered at Maiden, nearly all the 
WOUnded men were killed and scalped, and the price of the trophic- was 

afterwards paid by the British governmi 



HISTORY OF THE STATE UF ILLINOIS. 



121 



\ 11 1 




SHABBONA. 



[This was engraved from a daguerreotype, taken when Shabbona was 83 years old.] 



This celebrated Indian chief, whose portrait appears in this work, deserves 
more than a passing notice. Although Shabbona was not so conspicuous aa 
Tecumseh or Black Hawk, yet in point of merit he was superior to cither 
of them. 

Shabbona was born at an Indian village on the Kankakee River, now in 
Will County, about the year 1775. While young he was made chief of the 
band, and went to Shabbona Grove, now DeKalb County, where they were 
found in the early settlement of the county. 

In the war of 1812, Shabbona, with his warriors, joined Tecumseh. was 



Ill 



B1STOBY OF Till. SIAIi: OF II. LI> 



aid to thai great chief, and stood by his side when he fell at the battl 
tli" Thami -. A- the time of the Winnebago war. in 1827, he visited almoel 
every village among the Pottawatomies, and by his persuasive argumt 
rented them from taking pari in the war. By request of the citi2 
1 Shabbona, accompanied by Billy Caldwell I Sauganash ), visited 

Big I illage at Geneva Lake, in order to pacify the warriors, asf 

entertained thai they were about to raise the tomahawk againsl the 
whites. Here Shabbona was taken prisoner by Big Foot, and his life 
threatened, but on the following day was set at liberty. Prom that I 
the Indian- (through reproach) styled him "the white man's friend," 
and many limes his life was endangered. 

Befoi the Black Hawk war, Shabbona met in council at two differ- 
ent times, And by his influence prevented his people from taking part with 
the Sacs and Poxes. Aiter the death of Black Partridge and Senachwine, 
no chief among the Pottawatomies exerted so much influence as Shabbona. 

k Hawk, a wan- of this influence, visited him at two different times, in 
order to enlist him in his cause, but was unsuccessful. While Black Hawk 
was a prisoner at Jefferson Barracks, he said, had it n<>i been for Shabbona 
the whole Pottawatomie nation would have joined Ids standard, and lie 
could have continued the war for years. 

In Shabbona many of the early settlers of Illinois owe the pres- 
ervation of their lives, for it is a well-known fact, had he n<>t notified the 
people of their danger, a large portion of them would have fallen victims 
t" the tomahawk of savages. By saving the lives of whites he endangi 
his own, for the Sacs and Foxes threatened to kill him, and made two 
attempts to execute their tin-cat-. They killed Pypeogee, hi- Bon, and 
Pyps, Id- nephew, and hunted 1dm down ;i- though lie was a wild beast. 

Shabbona had a reservation of two sections of land at his Grove, but 
by leaving it andgoingwest for a Bhort time, tic Government declared 
the reservation forfeited, and sold it the same as other vacant land. < >n 
Shabbona's return, and finding his possessions gone, he was verysad and 
broken down in spirit, and left the Grove for ever. The citizens of ( Ottawa 
raised money and bought him a tract of land «»n the Illinois River, above 

n Grundy County, on which they built a house, and Bupj 
him with means to live on. I le lived here until his death, which occurred 
on tin- 17th of .Inly. 1869, in the eighty-rourth year of hi- age, and was 
buried with great pomp in the cemetery at Morris. His squaw, Pokan< 
Was drowned in Ma /.en ( 'reck, Grundy County, on the 'MH\\ of November, 

1 B6 1. and was buried by his Bide. 

In 1861 subscriptions were taken up in many of the river town-, to 

• a monument over the remains of Shabbona, but the war breal 
out, the enterprise was abandoned. Only a plain marble slab marks the 

resting-place of this friend of the white man. 



Abstract of Illinois State Laws. 



BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

No promissory note, check, draft, bill of exchange, order, or note, nego- 
tiable instrument payable at sight, or on demand, or on presentment, shall 
be entitled to days of grace. All other bills of exchange, drafts or notes are 
entitled to three days of grace. All the above mentioned paper falling 
due on Sunday, Neiv Years" Day, the Fourth of July, Christmas, or any 
day appointed or recommended by the President of the United States or 
the Governor of the State as a day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed 
as due on the day previous, and should two or more of these days come 
together, then such instrument shall be treated as due on the day previous 
to the first of said days. No defense can be made against a negotiable 
instrument (assigned before due~) in the hands of the assignee without 
notice, except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indorse?-, 
due diligence must be used by suit, in collecting of the maker, unless suit 
would have been unavailing. Notes payable to person named or to order, 
in order to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. Notes 
payable to bearer may be transferred by delivery, and when so payable 
every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment unless otherwise 
expressed. 

In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a month 
shall be considered a calendar month or tivelfth of a year, and for less 
than a month, a day shall be figured a thirtieth part of a month. Notes 
only bear interest when so expressed, but after due they draw the legal 
interest, even if not stated. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is six per cent. Parties may agree in writ- 
ing on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of interest greater 
than ten per cent, is contracted for, it works a forfeiture of the whole of 
%aid interest, and only the principal can be recovered. 

DESCENT. 

When no will is made, the property of a deceased person is distrib- 
uted as follows : 

123 



124 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAV 

First. To his or her children and their descendants in rqunl parts; 
the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking the share of 

their deceased parents in equal parts among them. 

S >'. W there is no child, nor descendant of such child, and 

no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents, brothers and si- 

of the deceased, and their descendants, in equal parts, the surviving 
parent, if either be dead, taking a double portion; and if there i- no 

parent living, then to the brothers and Bisters of the intestate and their 
• ■ndants. 

Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no child or 

children, or descendants of the Same, then one-half of the real estate and 

the whole of the personal estate shall descend to such widow or surviving 
husband, absolutely, and the other half of the real estate shall descend as 
in other cases where there is no child or children or descendants of the 
same. 

Fourth, When there is <t widow or surviving husband and also a child 
or children, or descendants of the latter, then one third of all the personal 
i the widow or surviving husband absolutely. 

/' fth. If there is no <'liild, pan nt. brother or tistt r. or descendants of 
either of them, and no widow or surviving husband, then in equal \ 
to the next of kin to the intestate in equal degree. Collaterals shall not 
i»e represented except with the descendants of brothers and sisters of the 
intestate, and there shall be no distinction />•/"■,,/) kindred of tin- whole 
I tin- half blood. 

Sixth. If any intestate leaves a iri<]>m< or surviving husband and n > 

kindred, then to Such widow or surviving husband; and if there is no such 

widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat to and vest in the COH 
where the same, or the greater portion thereof, is situated. 

WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS. 

A id for rds are necessary in order to make a will good at 

law. Every m<dr person of the age of twenty-one years, and every female 
of tin age of <i : iht->n years, of sound mind and memory, can make a valid 
will: it must be in writing, signed by the testator or by some one in his 
or her presence and by his or her direction, and attested by two or more 
lible witn Hare Bhould be taken that the witnesses <ir>' not inter- 

ested in the will. Persons knowing themselves to havt fa > u named in tht 
will or appointed executor, must within thirty days of the death of 
deceased cause the will to be proved and recorded in the proper county, 
or presenl it. an I • /•' ; on failure to do so are liable to forfeit 

the sum of twenty dollars per month. Inventory to be made by executor 
or administrator within three months from dale of Letters testamentary or 



ABSTKACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 125 

of administration. Executors' and administrators' compensation not to 
exceed six per cent, on amount of personal estate, and three per cent, 
on money realized from real estate, with such additional allowance a? 
shall be reasonable for extra services. Appraisers' compensation 82 pei 
day. 

Notice requiring all claims to be presented against the estate shall btf 
given by the executor or administrator within six months of being quali- 
fied. Any person having a claim and not presenting it at the time fixed 
by said notice is required to have summons issued notifying the executor 
or administrator of his having filed his claim in court ; in such cases the 
costs have to be paid by the claimant. Claims should be filed within two 
years from the time administration is granted on an estate, as after that 
time they are forever barred, unless other estate is found that was not in- 
ventoried. Married women, infants, persons insane, imprisoned or without 
the United States, in the employment of the United States, or of this 
State, have two years after their disabilities are removed to file claims. 

Claims are classified and paid out of the estate in the following manner : 

First. Funeral expenses. 

Second. The widow's award, if there is a widow ; or children if there 
are children, and no ividow. 

Third. Expenses attending the last illness, not including physician's 
bill. 

Fourth. Debts due the common school or township fund. 

Fifth. All expenses of proving the will and taking out letters testa- 
mentary or administration, and settlement of the estate, and the physi- 
cian 's bill in the last illness of deceased. 

Sixth. Where the deceased has received money in trust for any pur- 
pose, his executor or administrator shall pay out of his estate the amount 
received and not accounted for. 

Seventh. All other debts and demands of whatsoever kind, without 
regard to quality or dignity, which shall be exhibited to the court within 
two years from the granting of letters. 

Award to Widow and Children, exclusive of debts and legacies or be- 
quests, except funeral expenses : 

First. The family pictures and wearing apparel, jewels and ornaments 
of herself and minor children. 

Second. School books and the family library of the value of 8100. 

Third. One sewing machine. 

Fourth. Necessary beds, bedsteads and bedding for herself and family. 

Fifth. The stoves and pipe used in the family, with the necessary 
cooking utensil*, or in case they have none, 850 in money. 

Sixth. Household and kitchen furniture to the value of -400. 

Seventh. One milch one and ealffor i very four membersof lor family. 



l-o' AB8TBACT OF ILLINOIS BTATB LAWS, 

Eighth. Two sheep for each member of her family, and the fleeces 
taken from the same, and one horse, sadoUt vnd bridle. 

Ninth. Pr herself and family for on ■ \r. 

Tenth. Wood for the 8i i specified for six months. 

Eleventh. Fuel for herself '""^ /'""'('/ for three months. 

T inh. One hundred dollars worth of other property Buited to 
condition in life, to be selected by the widow. 

The widow if she elects may have in lien of the Baid award, the a 
personal property or money in place thereof as is <>r may be exempt from 

Uion or attachment againsi the head of a family. 

TAXES. 

The owners of real and personal property, <m the first da \fay in 
each year, are liable for th* taxes thereon. 

Assessments should be completed before the fourth Monday in June, 
at which time the town board of review meets to examine assessments, 
hear objections, and make such changes as ought to be made. The county 
board have also power to correct or ■■/inn/, assessments. 

The tax books are placed in the hands of the town collector <>n or 
before tl e tenth day of December, who retains them until the tenth day 
of March following, when he is required to return them to the county 
treasurer, who then collects all delinqm nt taxes. 

No costs accrue on real estate taxes//// advertised, which takes place 
the firsl day of April, when three weeks' notice is required before judg- 
ment. Cost of advertising, twenty cents each tract of land, and ten cents 
each l<»t. 

Judgment is usually obtained at May term of County Court. C 
-i\ cents each tract of land, and five cents each h>t. Sale takes place in 
June. Costs in addition to those before mentioned, twenty-eight cents 
each tract of land, and twenty-seven cents each town Lot. 

/,' al > state sold for taxi s may be r< dt ■ med any time before the expi- 
ration of two years from the date of Bale, by payment to the County Clerk 
of tin- amount for which it was sold and twenty-five per cent, thereon it' 
redeemed within six months, fifty per cent, if between six and twelve 
months, if between twelve and eighteen months Beventy-five per cent., 
audit' between eighteen months and two years our hundred per cent., 
and in addition, all subsequent taxes paid by the purchaser, with ten per 
cent, interest thereon, also one dollar each tracl it' notice is given by the 

purchaser of the Bale, and a f >f twenty-five cents to the clerk for his 

certificate. 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS. 

Justices have jurisdiction in all civil cases on contracts tot the n •>• ry 
of moneys for da rty, or taking, detaining, or 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 127 

injuring personal property ; for rent; for all cases to recover damages done 
real or personal property by railroad companies, in actions of replevin, and 
in actions for damages for fraud in the sale, purchase, or exchange of per- 
sonal property, when the amount claimed as due is not over $200. They 
have also jurisdiction in all cases for violation of the ordinances of cities, 
towns or villages. A justice of the peace may orally order an officer or a 
private person to arrest any one committing or attempting to commil a 
criminal offense. He also upon complaint can issue his warrant for the 
arrest of any person accused of having committed a crime, and have him 
brought before him for examination. 

COUNTY COURTS 

Have jurisdiction in all matters of probate (except in counties having a 
population of one hundred thousand or over), settlement of estates of 
deceased persons, appointment of guardians and conservators, and settle- 
ment of their accounts ; all matters relating to apprentices ; proceedings 
for the collection of taxes and assessments, and in proceedings of executors, 
administrators, guardians and conservators for the sale of real estate. In 
law cases they have concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts in all 
cases where justices of the peace now have, or hereafter may have, 
jurisdiction when the amount claimed shall not exceed $1,000, and in all 
criminal offenses where the punishment is not imprisonment in the peni- 
tentiary, or death, and in all cases of appeals from justices of the peace 
and police magistrates; excepting when the county judge is sitting as a 
justice of the peace. Circuit Courts have unlimited jurisdiction. 

LIMITATION OF ACTION. 

Accounts five years. Notes and written contracts ten years. Judg- 
ments twenty years. Partial payments or new promise in writing, within 
or after said period, will revive the debt. Absence from the State deducted, 
and when the cause of action is barred by the law of another State, it has 
the same effect here. Slander and libel, one year. Personal injuries, two 
years. To recover land or make entry thereon, twenty years. Action to 
foreclose mortgage or trust deed, or make a sale, within ten years. 

All persons in possession of land, and paying tires for seven consecu- 
tive years, with color of title, and all persons paying taxes for seven con- 
secutive years, with color of title, on vacant land, shall be held to be the 
legal owners to the extent of their paper title. 

MARRIED WOMEN 

May sue and be sued. Husband and wife not liable for each others debts, 
either before or after marriage, but both are liable for expenses and edu- 
cation of the family. 



l£8 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE law-. 

She "ii u \f unmarried^ except that in a partner- 

ship business Bhe can not, without consent of her husband, unless h< 

■ /■ si ,-■■ I A /•. or is idiotic or insane, or confined in peniten- 
tiary : she is entitled and can recover her own earnings, but neither hus- 
band nor wife is entitled to compensation for any services rendered for the 
other. A i the death of the husband, in addition to widow's award, a 
married woman has a dower interest (one-third) in all real estate owned 
by her husband after their marriage, and which has not been released by 
her, and the husband has the same interesl in the real estate of the wife 
at her death. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM FORCED SALE. 

Home worth $1,000, and the following Personal Property: Lot of ground 
and buildings thereon, occupied as a residence by the debtor, being a house- 
holder and having a family, to the value of f 1,000. Exemption eontinu b 
afti r the. d( ath of the householder for the benefit of widow and family. Borne 
one of them occupying the homestead until youngest child shall /•> 
twenty-one yi i /■ • and until death of widow. There is no exemption 

from sale for tax* *, assessments, debt or liability incurred for the purchase 
or improvement of said homestead. No release or waiver of exemption is 
valid, unless in writing, and subscribed by such householder and wife ( it 
he have en.- >. and acknowledged a> conveyances of real estate are required 
to be acknowledged. The followin i rial property owned 

by the debtor, are exempt from execution, writ of attachment, -'//./ dit 
for rent: The necessary wearing apparel, Bibles, Bchool books and family 
pictures of every person; and, 2d, one hundred dollars worth of other 
property to be selected by the debtor, and, in addition, when the debtor 

is the head of a family and resides with the same, three hundred dollars 

worth of other property to be selected by the debtor; provided that such 
selection and exemption shall not be made by the debtor or allowed to 
him 01' her from any money, salary or wages due him or her from any 
person or persons or corporations whatever. 

When the head of B family shall die, desert or not reside with the 
satin-, the family shall he entitled to and receive all the benefit and priv- 
ileges which are l>y this act conferred upon the head of a family res; 

with the same. No personal property is exempt from execution when 
judgment is obtained for the wages of laborers or s< .Wages of a 

laborer who is the headofa family can not be garnisheed, except the sum 

due him be in ex 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 129 

DEEDS AND MORTGAGES. 

To be valid there must be a valid consideration. Special care should 
be taken to have them signed, sealed, delivered, and properly acknowl- 
edged, with the proper seal attached. Witnesses are not required. The 
acknowledgement must be made in this state, before Mush r in < 7tait<-cry, 
Notary Public, United States Commissioner, Circuit or County Clerk, Justice 
of Peace, or any Court of Record having a seal, or any Judge, Justice, or 
Clerk of any such Court. When taken before a Notary Public, or Unitt d 
States Commissioner, the same shall be attested by his official seal, when 
taken before a Court or the Clerk thereof, the same shall be attested by 
the seal of such Court, and when taken before a Justice of the Peace resid- 
ing out of the county where the real estate to be conveyed lies, there shall 
be added a certificate of the County Clerk under his seal of office, that he 
was a Justice of the Peace in the county at the time of taking the same. 
A deed is good without such certificate attached, but can not be used in 
evidence unless such a certificate is produced or other competent evidence 
introduced. Acknowledgements made out of the state must either be 
executed according to the laws of this state, or there should be attached 
a certificate that it is in conformity with the laws of the state or country 
where executed. Where this is not done the same may be proved by any 
other legal way. Acknowledgments where the Homestead rights are to- 
be waived must state as follows: "Including the release and waiver of 
the right of homestead." 

Notaries Public can take acknowledgements any where in the state. 

Sheriffs, if authorized by the mortgagor of real or personal property 
in his mortgage, may sell the property mortgaged. 

In the case of the death of grantor or holder of the equity of redemp- 
tion of real estate mortgaged, or conveyed by deed of trust where equity 
of redemption is waived, and it contains power of sale, must be foreclosed 
in the same manner as a common mortgage in court. 

ESTRAYS. 

Horses, mules, asses, neat cattle, sivine, sheep, or goats found Btraying 
at any time during the year, in counties where such animals are not allowed 
to run at large, or between the last day of October and the loth day of 
April in other counties, the oioner thereof being unknown, may be taken up 
as estrays. 

No person not a householder in the county where estray is found can 
lawfully take up an estray, and then only upon or about his farm or place 
of residence. Estrays should not beusedbeforr advertised, except animals 
giving milk, which may be milked for their benefit. 



180 AB8TBACT OP LXLINOIS STATE LAWS. 

Hfiet must In.- posted up within five < 5 ) days in three (3) of the 
mosl public places in tin- town or precinct in which estray was found, giv- 
ing the residence of the taker up, and a particular description of the 

'V. its age, color, ami marks natural and artificial, ami Btating before 
what justice iif the peace in such town or precinct, and at what time, not 

: lian tin ( 1<» | nor more than fifteen ( 15 ) days from the time of post- 

mch notices, he will apply to have the estray appraised. 

A co/>i/ »/ sitrjt notice should be filed by the taker up with the town 
clerk, whose duty it is to enter the same at Large, in a book kept by him 
for that purpi 

It* the owner of est ray shall not have appeared and provi d own* rship % 
and taken the Bame away, first paying the taker up his reasonable chat 
for taking up, keeping, and advertising the same, the taker up shall appear 
before the justice of the peace mentioned in above mentioned notice, and 
make an affidavit as required by law. 

As the affidavit has to be ma It before the justice, and all other steps as 
to appraisement, etc., are before him, who is familiar therewith, they are 
therefore omitted here. 

Any person taking up an estray at any other place than about or 
upon his farm or residence, or without complying with the law, shall/ 
I pay a fine of U n dollars with rusts. 

Ordinary diligence is required in taking care of estrays, but in 
they die or ge\ away the taker is not liable for the same. 

GAME. 

It is unlawful for any person to kill, or attempt to kill or destroy, in 
any manner, any prairie hen or chicken or k between the 15th day 

of January and the 1st day of September ; or any deer, fawn, wild-tur 

/ ' or pheasant between the 1st day of February and the 1st day 
of October; or any quail between the 1st day of February and 1st day of 
November; or any wild goose, duck, snipe, brant or other water fowl 
between the 1st day of May and 15th day of August in each year. 
Penalty: Pine nol Less than **> nor more than *:!.~>, for each bird oi 
animal, and costs of suit, and stand committed to county jail until fine is 
paid, bul not exceeding ten days. It it unlawful to hunt with gun, 
or net within the inclosed grounds or lands of another without permission. 
Penalty: Fine not Less than *:} nor more than $100, to he paid into 

BChool fund. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or 
: or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to 
the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to-wit : 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 



131 





Pounds. 




Pounds. 


Stone Coal, 


- - 80 


Buckwheat, - 


- 52 


Unslacked Lime, 


- 80 


Coarse Salt, 


- 50 


( !orn in the ear, 


- 70 


Barley, - 


- 48 


Wheat, 


- 60 


Corn Meal. 


- 48 


Irish Potatoes, 


- 60 


Castor Beans, 


- 46 


White Beans, 


- 60 


Timothy Seed, - 


- 45 


Clover Seed, - 


- 60 


Hemp Seed, - 


- 44 


Onions, -* 


- 57 


Malt, - 


- 38 


Shelled Corn, 


- 56 


Dried Peaches, 


- 33 


Rye, - 


- 5Q 


Oats, - 


- 32 


Flax Seed, 


- 56 


Dried Apples, 


- 24 


Sweet Potatoes, - 


- 55 


Bran, - 


- 20 


Turnips, 


- 55 


Blue Grass Seed, - 


- 14 


Fine Salt, - 


55 


Hair (plastering), 


8 



Penalty for giving less than the above standard is double the amount 
of property wrongfully not given, and ten dollars addition thereto. 

MILLERS. 

The owner or occupant of every public grist mill in this state shall 
grind all grain brought to his mill in its turn. The toll for both steam 
and water mills, is, for grinding and bolting wheat, rye, or other grain, one 
eighth part; for grinding Indian corn, oats, barley and bucktvheat not 
required to be bolted, one seventh part; for grinding malt, and chopping sill 
kinds of grain, one eighth part. It is the duty of every miller when his 
mill is in repair, to aid a,nd assist in loading and unloading all grain brought 
to him to be ground, and he is also required to keep an accurate half 
bushel measure, and an accurate set of toll dishes or scales for weiodriii" - 
the grain. The penalty for neglect or refusal to comply with the law is 
$5, to the use of any person to sue for the same, to be recovered before 
any justice of the peace of the county where penalty is incurred. Millers 
are accountable for the safe keeping of all grain left in his mill for the 
purpose of being ground, with bags or casks containing same (except it 
results from unavoidable accidents), provided that such bags or casks are 
distinctly marked with the initial letters of the owner's name. 



MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Owners of cattle, horses, hogs, sheep or goats may have one earmark 
and one brand, but which shall be different from his neighbor's, and may 
be recorded by the county clerk of the county in which such property is 
kept. The/ee for such record is fifteen cents. The record of such shall 
be open to examination free of charge. In cases of disputes as to marks 
or brands, sue]) record is orima fdoie evidence. Owners of cattle hoi 
hogs, sheep or goats that may have been branded by the former 



132 ABSTRACT OF (ILLINOIS STATE LAW-. 

may be re-branded in presence of one or more of his neighbors, who shall 
certify to tin- facts of the marking or branding being done, when done, 
and in what brand or mark they were re-branded or re-marked, which 
certificate may also be recorded as before Btated. 

ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Children may be adopted by any residenl of this state, by filing a 
tion in tli»' Circnil or County Court of tin- county in which he resides, 
asking Leave to do so, and it' desired may ask thai the name of the child 
be changed. Such petition, if made by a person having a husband or 
wife, will not be granted, unless the husband or wife joins therein, as the 
adoption must be by them jointly. 

The petition shall state name. Bex, and age of the child, and the new 
name. if it is desired to change the name. Also the name and residence 

of the parents of the child, if known, and of the guardian, if any. and 

whether the parents or guardians consent to the adoption. 

The court must find, hefore ^rantinu decree, that the parents of the 
child, or the Burvivors of them, have deserted his or her family 01 Buch 
child lor one year next preceding the application, or if neither are Living, 
the guardian; if no guardian, the next of kin in this state capable of giving 
consent, has had notice ..f the presentation of the petition and consents 
to Buch adoption. Lf the child is of the age of fourteen years or upwards, 
the adoption can ,n>t he made without its consent. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

There i^ in every county elected a surveyor known as county SUT- 

r, who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official acts he is 

responsible. It is the duty oi the county surveyor, either by himself or 

his deputy, to make all surveys that he may he called upon to make within 

his county as soon as may be after application is made. The uecessary 
chainmen and other assistance must be employed by the person requiring 
the same to be done, and to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed ; but 
the chainmen musl he disinterested persons ami approved by the surveyor 
and sworn by him to measure justly and impartially. 

'The County Board in each county is required by law to provide a copy 

of the United States field notes ami plats of their surveys of tin- lands 
in the county to he kept in the recorder's office BUDJect to examination 

by the public, and the county surveyor is required to make his Burveya 

in conformity to said note-, plats and the laws of the United Stale- gov- 

erning such matters. The surveyor is also required to keep a record 
of all surveys made by him, which shall be iub ect to inspection by any 
One interested, and shall he delivered up to his successor iii office. A. 






ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 133 

certified copy of the said surveyor's record shall be prima facie evidence 
of its contents. 

The fees of county surveyors are six dollars per day. The county 
surveyor is also ex officio inspector of mines, and as such, assisted by some 
practical miner selected by him, shall once each year inspect all the 
mines in the county, for which they shall each receive such compensa- 
tion as may be fixed by the County Board, not exceeding $5 a day, to 
be paid out of the county treasury. 

ROADS AND BRIDGES. 

Where practicable from the nature of the ground, persons traveling 
in any kind of vehicle, must turn to the right of the center of the road, so 
as to permit each carriage to pass without interfering with each other. 
The penalty for a violation of this provision is $5 for every offense, to 
be recovered by the party injured; but to recover, there must have 
occurred some injury to person or property resulting from the violation. 
The owners of any carriage traveling upon any road in this State for the 
conveyance of passengers who shall employ or continue in his employment 
as driver any person who is addicted to drunkenness, or the excessive use of 
spiritous liquors, after he has had notice of the same, shall forfeit, at the 
rate of $5 per day, and if any driver while actually engaged in driving 
any such carriage, shall be guilty of intoxication to such a degree as to 
endanger the safety of passengers, it shall be the duty of the owner, on 
receiving written notice of the fact, signed by one of the passengers, and 
certified by him on oath, forthwith to discharge such driver. If such owner 
shall have such driver in his employ within three months after such notice, 
he is liable for $5 per day for the time he shall keep said driver in his 
employment after receiving such notice. 

Persons driving any carriage on any public highway are prohibited 
from running their horses upon any occasion under a penalty of a fine not 
exceeding 810, or imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, at the discre- 
tion of the court. Horses attached to any carriage used to convey passen- 
gers for hire must be properly hitched or the lines placed in the hands of 
some other person before the driver leaves them for any purpose. For 
violation of this provision each driver shall forfeit twenty dollars, to be 
recovered by action, to be commenced within six months. It is under- 
stood by the term carriage herein to mean any carriage or vehicle used 
for the transportation of passengers or goods or either of them. 

The commissioners of highways in the different towns have the care 
and superintendence of highways and bridges therein. They have all 
the powers necessary to lay out, vacate, regulate and repair all roads- 
build and repair bridges. In addition to the above, it is their duty to 
erect and keep in repair at the forks or crossing-place of the most 



134 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 

important road- posl and guide boards with plain inscriptions, giving 
directions and distances to the most noted places to which suck mad may 
lead: also to make provisions to prevent thistles, burdock, and cockle 
burrs, mustard, yellow dock, Indian mallow and jimson weed from 
Beeding, and to extirpate the same as far as practicable, and to prevent 
all rank growth of vegetation on the public highways so far as the same 
may obstruct public travel, and it is in their discretion to erect watering 
places for public use for watering teams at BUch points as may be deemed 
advisable. 

The Commissioners, on or before the 1st day of May of each year, 
shall make out and deliver to their treasurer a list of all able-bodied men 
in their town, excepting paupers, idiots. Lunatics, and such others 
exempl by law, and assess againsl each the sum of two dollars as a poll 
tax for highway purposes. Within thirty days after such list is delivered 
they Bhall cause a written or printed notice to be given to each person so 

»ed, notifying him of the time when and place where such tax must 
he paid, or its equivalent in labor performed ; they may contract with 
persons owing such poll tax to perform a certain amount of labor on any 
road or bridge in payment of the same, and if such tax is not paid nor 
labor performed by the first .Monday of July of BUch year, or within ten 
days after notice is given after that time, they shall bring suit therefor 
against such person before a justice of the peace, who shall hear and 
determine the case according to law for the offense complained of, and 
shall forthwith issue an execution, directed to any constable of the county 
where the delinquent shall reside, who shall forthwith collect the moneys 
therein mentioned. 

The Commissioners of Highways of each town shall annually ascer- 
tain, as near as practicable, how much money must be raised by tax on real 
and personal property for the making and repairing of roads, only, to any 
amount they may deem necessary, not exceeding forty cents on each one 
hundred dollars' worth, as valued on tie lent roll of the previous 

year. The tax bo h\ ied on property lying within an incorporated vill 

town or city, shall be paid over to the corporate authorities of sudi town, 

village or city. Commissioners shall receive (1.50 for each day neoes- 
cily employed in the discharge of their duty. 

At the hist meeting the Commissioners shall choose one 
of their number to act General of Highways in their township, 

whose duty it shall be to take charge of and sa:' | all tools, imple- 

ments and machinery b town, and shall, by the direction 

of the Board, have general supervision of all roads and bridges in their 
town. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 135 

As all township and county officers are familiar with their duties, it 
is only intended to give the points of the law that the public should 'be 
familiar with. The manner of laying- out, altering or vacating roads, etc., 
will not be here stated, as it would require more space than is contem- 
plated in a work of this kind. It is sufficient to state that, the first Btep 
is by petition, addressed to the Commissioners, setting out what is prayed 
lor. giving the names of the owners of lands if known, if not known so 
state, over which the road is to pass, giving the general course, its place 
of beginning, and where it terminates. It requires not less than twelve 
freeholders residing within three miles of the road who shall sign the 
petition. Public roads must not be less than fifty feet wide, nor more 
than sixty feet wide. Roads not exceeding two miles in length, if peti- 
tioned for, may be laid out, not less than forty feet. Private roads 
for private and public use, may be laid out of the width of three rods, on 
petition of the person directly interested ; the damage occasioned thereby 
shall be paid by the premises benefited thereby, and before the road is 
opened. If not opened in two years, the order shall be considered 
rescinded. Commissioners in their discretion may permit persons who 
live on or have private roads, to work out their road tax thereon. Public 
roads must be opened in five days from date of filing order of location, 
or be deemed vacated. 

DRAINAGE. 

Whenever one or more owners or occupants of land desire to construct 
i drain or ditch across the land of others for agricultural, sanitary or 
mining purposes, the proceedings are as follows : 

File a petition in the Circuit or County Court of the county in which 
the proposed ditch or drain is to be constructed, setting forth the neces- 
sity for the same, with a description of its proposed starting point, route 
and terminus, and if it shall be necessary for the drainage of the land or 
coal mines or for sanitary purposes, that a drain, ditch, levee or similar 
work be constructed, a description of the same. It shall also set forth 
the names of all persons owning the land over which such drain or ditch 
shall be constructed, or if unknown stating that fact. 

No private property shall be taken or damaged for the purpose of 
constructing a ditch, drain or levee, without compensation, if claimed by 
the owner, the same to be ascertained by a jury; but if the construction 
of such ditch, drain or levee shall be a benefit to the owner, the same 
shall be a set off against such compensation. 

If the proceedings seek to affect the property of a minor, lunatic or 
married woman, the guardian, conservator or husband of the same shall 
be made party defendant. The petition may be amended and parties 
made defendants at any time when it is necessary to a fair trial. 



136 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 

When the petition is presented to the judge, be .-hall note therein 
whin he will hear the same, and order the issuance of summonses a.ul 
the publication of notice to each non-resident or unknown defendant. 

The petition may be heard by such judge in vacation as well as in 
term time. Upon the trial, the jury shall ascertain the just compensation 
to each owner of the property sought to be damaged by the construction 
of such ditch, drain or Levee, and truly report the same. 

As it is only contemplated in a work of this kind to give an abstract 
of the laws, and as the parties who have in charge the execution of the 
further proceedings are likely to be familiar with the requirements of the 
Btatute, the necessary details are not here inserted. 

WOLF SCALPS. 

The County Board of any county in this State may hereafter alh.sv 
such bounty on wolf scalps as the hoard may deem reasonable. 

Any person claiming a bounty shall produce the seal]) or scalps with 
the ears thereon, within sixty days alter the wolf or wolves shall have 
been caught, to the Clerk of the County Board, who shall administer to 
said person the following oath or affirmation, to-wit : " You do solemnly 
swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that the scalp or scalps here pro- 
duced by you was taken from a wolf or wolves killed and first captured 
by yourself within the limits of this county, and within the sixty days 
last past," 

CONVEYANCES. 

When the reversion expectant on a lease of any tenements or here- 
ditaments of any tenure shall be surrendered or merged, the estate which 
shall lor the time being confer a- against the tenant under the same lease 

the next vested right to the same tenements or hereditaments, shall, to 
the extent and for the purpose of preserving such incidents to and obli- 
gations on the same reversion, as but for the surrender or merger thereof, 
would have subsisted, be deemed the reversion expectant on the same 
Lease. 

PAUPERS. 

Every poor person who shall be unable to earn a livelihood in eonse- 
quenoe oi any bodily infirmity, idiocy, lunacy or unavoidabl shall 

be supported by the father, grand-father, mother, grand-mother, children, 
grand-children, brothers or sisters of Buch poor person, if they or either 
of them be oi sufficient ability; but if any of such dependent class -hall 
have become so from intemperance or other ; lucti they shall not be 

entitled to support from any relation except parent or child. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 137 

The children shall first he called on to support their parents, if they 
are able ; but if not, the parents of such poor person shall then be called 
on, if of sufficient ability; and if there be no parents or children able, 
then the brothers and sisters of such dependent person shall be called 
upon ; and if there be no brothers or sisters of sufficient ability, the 
grand-children of such person shall next be called on ; and if they are 
not able, then the grand-parents. Married females, while their husbands 
live, shall not be liable to contribute for the support of their poor relations 
except out of their separate property. It is the duty of the state's 
(county) attorney, to make complaint to the County Court of his county 
against all the relatives of such paupers in this state liable to his support 
and prosecute the same. In case the state's attorney neglects, or refuses, to 
complain in such cases, then it is the duty of the overseer of the poor to 
do so. The person called upon to contribute shall have at least ten days' 
notice of such application by summons. The court has the power to 
determine the kind of support, depending upon the circumstances of the 
parties, and may also order two or more of the different degrees to main- 
tain such poor person, and prescribe the proportion of each, according to 
their ability. The court may specify the time for which the relative shall 
contribute — in fact has control over the entire subject matter, with power 
to enforce its orders. Every county (except those in which the poor are 
supported by the towns, and in such cases the towns are liable) is required 
to relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully resident 
therein. Residence means the actual residence of the party, or the place 
where he was employed ; or in case he was in no employment, then it 
shall be the place where he made his home. When any person becomes 
chargeable as a pauper in any county or town who did not reside at the 
commencement of six months immediately preceding his becoming so, 
but did at that time reside in some other county or town in this state, 
then the county or town, as the case may be, becomes liable for the expense 
of taking care of such person until removed, and it is the duty of the 
overseer to notify the proper authorities of the fact. If any person shall 
bring and leave any pauper in any county in this state where such pauper 
had no legal residence, knowing him to be such, he is liable to a fine of 
$100. In counties under township organization, the supervisors in each 
town are ex-officio overseers of the poor. The overseers of the poor act 
under the directions of the County Board in taking care of the poor and 
granting of temporary relief; also, providing for non-resident persons not 
paupers who may be taken sick and not able to pay their way, and incase 
of death cause such person to be decently buried. 

The residence of the inmates of poorhouses and other charitable 
institutions for voting purposes is their former place of abode. 



1 - ABSTRACT OF ELLTNOI8 8TATE LAWS. 

FENCES. 

In counties under township organization, the town assessor and com- 
moner of highways are the fence-viewera in their respective towns. 
In other oounties tin- County Board appoints three in each precinct annu- 
ally. .1 lawful fena \b four and one-half feet high^ in good repair, con- 
sisting of rails, timber, boards, Btone, hedges, or whatever tie 
viewers of the town or precinct where the same shall lie, shall consider 
equivalent thereto, hut in counties under township organization the annual 
town meet ing may establish any other kind of fence as Buch, or the County 
Board in other counties may do the same. Division fences shall be made 
and maintained in just proportion by the adjoining owners, except when 
the owner shall choose to let his land lie open, hut after a division fen 
built by agreement or otherwise, neither party can remove his part of such 
fence so long a- he may crop or use such laud for farm purposes, or without 
givmg the other party one year's notice in writing of his intention to rem 

hi- portion. When any person shall enclose his land upon the enclosure 
of another, he shall refund the owner of the adjoining lands a just pro- 
portion of the value at that time of such fence. The value of fence and 
the just proportion to lie paid or buill and maintained by each is to be 
ascertained by two fence-viewers in the town or precinct. Such fence* 

viewers have power to settle all disputes hetween different own. 

fences buill or to he built, as well as to repair- to lie made. Bach party 
chooses one of the viewer-, hut if the other party neglects, after eight 

-lays* notice in writing, to make his choice, then the other party may 

-eh-ct both. It is sufficient to notify the tenant or party in possession. 

when the owner is not a resident of the town or precinct. The two 

fence-viewers chosen, after viewing the premises, shall hear the >i;m- 

ments of the panic.-, in case they can't agree, they shall -elect another 
fence-viewer to act with them, and the decision of any t u o of t lit in i- 

linal. The decision must be reduced to writing, and Bhould plainly Bet 

out description of feme and all matters settled by them, and niu-t he 
filed in the office of the town clerk in counties under township organiza- 
tion, and in other counties with the county clerk. 

Where any person is Liable to contribute to the erection or the 

repairing of a division fence, neglects or refuses bo t<> do. the party 
injured, after giving Bizty days notice in writing when a fence i- to be 
ted, or ten days when it i- only repair-, may proceed to have the 
work done a! the expense of the party whose duty it i- to do it. to be 
recovered from him with C08ts of suit, and the party BO neglecting shall 
al-o he liable to the party in und for all damages acoruing from Buch 
neglect or refusal, to be determined by any two fence-viewers selected 
as before provided, the appraisement to be reduced to writing and signed. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 139 

Where a person shall conclude to remove his part of a division fence, 
and let his land lie open, and having given the year's notice required, the 
adjoining owner may cause the value of said fence to be ascertained bj 
fence-viewers as before provided, and on payment or tender of the 
amount of such valuation to the owner, it shall prevent the removal. A 
party removing a division fence without notice is liable for the damages 
accruing thereby. 

Where a fence has been built on the land of another through mis- 
take, the owner may enter upon such premises and remove his fence and 
material within oix months after the division line has been ascertained. 
Where the material to build such a fence has been taken from the land 
on which it was built, then before it can be removed, the person claiming 
must first pay for such material to the owner of the land from which it 
was taken, nor shall such a fence be removed at a time when the removal 
will throw open or expose the crops of the other party ; a reasonable 
time must be given beyond the .six months to remove crops. 

The compensation oi fence-viewers is one dollar and fifty cents a 
day each, to be paid in the first instance by the party calling them, but 
in the end all expenses, including amount charged by the fence-viewers, 
must be paid equally b} 7 " the parties, except in cases where a party neglects 
or refuses to make or maintain a just proportion of a division fence, when 
the party in default shall pay them. 

DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS. 

Where stock of any kind breaks into any person's enclosure, the 
fence being good and sufficient, the owner is liable for the damage done ; 
but where the damage is done by stock running at large, contrary to law, 
the owner is liable where tlwre is not such a fence. Where stock is 
found trespassing on the enclosure of another as aforesaid, the owner or 
occupier of the premises may take possession of such stock and keep the 
same until damages, with reasonable charges for keeping and feeding and 
all costs of suit, are paid. Any person taking or rescuing such stock so 
held without his consent, shall be liable to a fine of not less than three 
nor more than five dollars for each animal rescued, to be recovered by 
suit before a justice of the peace for the use of the school fund. Within 
twenty-four hours after taking such animal into his possession, the per- 
son taking it up must give notice of the fact to the owner, if known, or 
if unknown, notices must be posted in some public place near the premises. 

LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

The owner of lands, or his legal representatives, can sue for and 
recover rent therefor, in any of the following cases : 

First. When rent is due and in arrears on a lease for life or lives. 



14<> ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 

Second. When lands are held and occupied by any person without 
any special agreement for rent. 

Thirl. Wnen possession is obtained under an agreement, written 
or verbal, for the purchase of the premises and before deed given, the 
right to • 'ii is terminated by forfeiture on con-compliance with the 

agreement, and on is wrongfully r< [used or neglected t<> be givei 

upon demand made in writing by the party entitled thereto. Provided 
thai all payments made by the vendee or his representativi 
may 1"- Bet off against the rent. 

/' //•///. When land has been Bold upon a judgment or a decree of 
court, when the party to such judgment or decree, or person holding under 
him, wrongfully refuses, or neglects, to surrender possession of the same, 
after demand in writing by the person entitled to the possession. 

Fifth. When the lands have been Bold upon a mortgage or trust 
deed, and the mortgagor or grantor or person holding under him, wrong- 
fully refuses or neglects to surrender possession of the same, after demand 
in writing by the person entitled to the possession. 

[f any tenant, or any person who shall come into possession from or 
under or by collusion with such tenant, shall willfully hold over any lands, 
etc., after the expiration the term of their Lease, and after demand mad* 
in writing tor the possession thereof, is Liable to pay double rent. A 
tenancy from year to year requires sixty days notice in writing, to termi- 
■ the same at the end of the year ; such notice can be given at any 

time within four months preceding the last sixty days of the year. 

A tenancy by the month, or less than a year, where the tenant holds 
over without any special agreement, the Landlord may terminate the 
tenancy, by thirty days notice in writing. 

Wli-n rent is due, the landlord may serve a notice upon the tenant. 
Stating that unless the rent is paid within not less than five days, his I 
will he term ina t I'd : if the rent 18 not paid, the landlord may consider the 

Lease ended. When default is made in am of the terms of a Lease, it 
shall not be necessary to give more than ten days notice to quit or of the 
termination of such tenancy : and the same may be terminated on giving 

such notice to quit, at any time after such default in any of the terms of 

such Lease ; which noti.-c may be substantially in the following form, vizi 

To . You are hereby notified that, in consequence of your default 

in (here insert the character of the default >. of the premises now occupied 
by you, being etc. | here describe the premises >. I have elected to deter- 
mine your Lease, and you are hereby notified to quit and deliver up pos- 

:on of the .same to me within ten days of this date ( dated, etc. | 

The a hove to be signed by the lessor or his agent, and no other m 
or demand of possession or termination of Buoh tenancy is necessary. 
Demand may he made, or notice served, by delivering a written or 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 141 

printed, or partly either, copy thereof to the tenant, or leaving the same 
with some person above the age of twelve years residing on or in posses- 
sion of the premises ; and in case no one is in the actual possession of the 
said premises, then by posting the same on the premises. When the 
tenancy is for a certain time, and the term expires by the terms of the 
lease, the tenant is then bound to surrender possession, and no notice 
to quit or demand of possession is necessary. 

Distress for rent. — In all cases of distress for rent, the landlord, by 
himself, his agent or attorney, may seize for rent any personal property of 
his tenant that may be found in the county where the tenant resides ; the 
property of an}^ other person, even if found on the premises, is not 
liable. 

An inventory of the property levied upon, with a statement of the 
amount of rent claimed, should be at once filed with some justice of the 
peace, if not over $200 ; and if above that sum, with the clerk of a court 
of record of competent jurisdiction. Property may be released, by the 
party executing a satisfactory bond for double the amount. 

The landlord may distrain for rent, any time within six months after 
the expiration of the term of the lease, or when terminated. 

In all cases where the premises rented shall be sub-let, or the lease 
assigned, the landlord shall have the same right to enforce lien against 
such lessee or assignee, that he has against the tenant to whom the pre- 
mises were rented. 

When a tenant abandons or removes from the premises or any part 
thereof, the landlord, or his agent or attorney, may seize upon any grain 
or other crops grown or growing upon the premises, or part thereof so 
abandoned, whether the rent is due or not. If such grain, or other crops, 
or any part thereof, is not fully grown or matured, the landlord, or his 
agent or attorney, shall cause the same to be properly cultivated, harvested 
or gathered, and may sell the same, and from the proceeds pay all his 
labor, expenses and rent. The tenant may, before the sale of such pro- 
perty, redeem the same by tendering the rent and reasonable compensation 
for work done, or he may replevy the same. 

Exemption. — The same articles of personal property which are bylaw 
exempt from execution, except the crops as above stated, is also exempt 
from distress for rent. 

If any tenant is about to or shall permit or attempt to sell and 
remove from the premises, without the consent of his landlord, such 
portion of the crops raised thereon as will endanger the lien of the land- 
lord upon such crops, for the rent, it shall be lawful for the landlord to 
distress before rent is due. 



L42 ABSTRACT OF [LUN0I8 BTATE LAWS. 

LIENS. 

Any person who shall by <••< or implied, or partly both, 

with the owner of any lot or trad of land, furnish Labor or material, oc 
as an architect or superintendent, in building, altering, repairing 
or ornamenting any house or other building or appurtenance thereto on 
such lot, or upon any Btreel or alley, and connected with such improve' 
ments, Bhall have a lien upon the whole of Buch lot or tract of land, and 
upoB Buch house or building and appurtenances, for the amount due to 
him for Buch labor, material or Bervices. [f the contracl is expressed, and 
the time for the completion of the work is beyond thn e //• ars from tin- com- 
mencement thereof; or, if the time of paymenl is beyond one year from 
the time stipulated for the completion of the work, then no lien exists. 
If the contract is implied^ then no lien exists, unless the work be doneor 
materia] is furnished within one year from the commencement of the work 
or delivery of the materials. As between different creditors having liens, 
no preference is given to the one whose contracl was first made ; bul each 
share- pro-rata. Incumbrances existing on the lot or tract of the land at 
the time the contract is made, do not operate on the improvements, and 
are only preferred to the extent of the value of the land at the Hi 
making the contract. The above lien can nol be enforced unless suit is 
comm* net ,/ within six months after t he last payment for Labor or materials 
shall have become due ami payable. Sub-contractors, mechanics, workmen 
and other persons furnishing any material, or performing any labor lor a 
contractor as before specified, have a lien to the extent of the amount due 
the contractor at the time the following notice is served upon the ownei 
of the land who made the, contract : 

To , You are hereby notified, that I have been employed by 



i here -tate whether to Labor or furnish material, and substantially the 
nature of the demand) upon your (here state in general terms description 
and situation of building), and that I shall hold the ( 1 mi Id in.:, or as the 
case may be), and your interest iii the ground, liable for the amount that 

may ( i- or may become) due me on account thereof. Signature, 

1 1 te, 

If there is a contract in writing between contractor and Bub-contractor, 

a copy of it Bhould he served with above notice, and -aid muiee must be 
Berved within forty day- from the completion <»f such sub-contract, if there 
is one : if mu. then from tin- time payment should have been made to the 
person performing the Labor or furnishing the material. If the owner is 

not a resident of the county, or can not he found therein, then the above 
notice must be tiled with the clerk of the Circuit ( lourt, with his fee, fifty 

cents, and a copy of Baid notice must he published in a new-paper pub- 
lished in the county, for four successive wee! 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 143 

When the owner or agent is notified as above, he can retain anv 
money due the contractor sufficient to pay such claim ; if more than one 
claim, and not enough to pay all, they are to be paid pro rata. 

The owner has the right to demand in writing, a statement of the 
contractor, of what he owes for labor, etc.,. from time to time as the work 
progresses, and on his failure to comply, forfeits to the owner $50 for 
every offense. 

The liens referred to cover any and all estates, whether in fee for 
life, for years, or any other interest which the owner may have. 

To enforce the lien of sub-contractors, suit must be commenced within 
three months from the time of the performance of the sub-contract, or 
during the work or furnishing materials. 

Hotel, inn and boarding-house keepers, have a lien upon the baggage 
and other valuables of their guests or boarders, brought into such hotel, 
inn or boarding-house, by their guests or boarders, for the proper charges 
due from such guests or boarders for their accommodation, board and 
lodgings, and such extras as are furnished at their request. 

Stable-keepers and other persons have a lien upon the horses, car- 
riages and harness kept by them, for the proper charges due for the keep- 
ing thereof and expenses bestowed thereon at the request of the owner 
or the person having the possession of the same. 

Agisters (persons who take care of cattle belonging to others), and 
persons keeping, yarding, feeding or pasturing domestic animals, shall 
have a lien upon the animals agistered, kept, yarded or fed, for the proper 
charges due for such service. 

All persons who may furnish any railroad corporation in this state 
with fuel, ties, material, supplies or any other article or thing necessary 
for the construction, maintenance, operation or repair of its road by con- 
tract, or may perform work or labor on the same, is entitled to be paid as 
part of the current expenses of the road, and have a lien upon all its pro- 
perty. Sub-contractors or laborers have also a lien. The conditions and 
limitations both as to contractors and sub-contractors, are about the same 
as herein stated as to general liens. 

DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

$ means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly 

placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now, 
United States Currency. 

£ means pounds, English money. 

@ stands for at or to. ft> for pound, and bbl. for barrel; \> for per or 
by the. Thus, Butter sells at 20(8 30c $) lb, and Flour at $8 S 12 $ bbl. 

% for per cent and t lor number. 

May 1. — Wheat sells at $1.20@1.25, "seller June." \er June 



1U ABSTRACT OF [LLDTOIfl BTATE LAWS, 

mean- that the person who Bella the wheal has the privilege of delivering 
it at any time during tin- month of June. 

Selling ihorti is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or 

:. at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller 

has not the stork on hand. It is for the interest of the person Belling 

"short," t<> depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may 

buy and till his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts" are termed 

" hears." 

Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or 
Bharea of Btock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, 
expecting to make a profil by the rise of prices. The "longs" are 
termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate" so as to "t< 
the prices upward a- much a- possible. 

NOTES. 
Form of note is Legal, worded in the simplest way. so that the 
amount and time of payment are mentioned. 

1100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 1.".. 1876. 

S \ty days from date I promise to pay to K. 1'. Brown, 
or order. One Hundred dollar-, for value received. 

L. I). LOWBT. 
A note to In- payable in any thing else than money needs only the 
fads substituted for money in the above form. 

ORDERS. 

Orders Bhould be worded -imply, thus: 

Mr. V. II. c.ats: Chicago, Sept. i:». 1876. 

Please pay to II. Birdsall, Twenty-five dollars, ami charge to 

F. D. Sii.va. 

RECEIPTS. 

Receipts should always state when received and what for. thus: 

-loo. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876. 

Received of J. W. Davis, One Hundred dollars, for services 
rendered in grading his Lot in Fort Madison, on account. 

Thomas Bbady. 

If receipt is in full it should be >o stated. 

BILLS OF PURCHASE. 

W. \. Mason, Salem, Illinois. Sept. 15, 1876. 

Bought of A. \. Grab \m. 

4 BUShelS of Seed Wheal, at 11.50 .... 

2 Seamless Sacks ll - - .60 



R d payment, 

A. A. Graham. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 14o 

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. 

An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain 
thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good business men always 
reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunder- 
standings and trouble. No particular form is necessary, but the facts must 
be clearly and explicitly stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a 
reasonable consideration. 

GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT. 

This Agreement, made the Second day of October, 1876, between 
John Jones, of Aurora, County of Kane, State of Illinois, of the first part, 
and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second part — 

Witnesseth, that the said John Jones, in consideration of the agree- 
ment of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and 
agrees to and with the said Thomas AVhiteside, that he will deliver, in 
good and marketable condition, at the Village of Batavia, 111., during the 
mouth of November, of this year, One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in 
the following lots, and at the following specified times ; namely, twenty- 
five tons by the seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the 
fourteenth of the month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty-first, and 
the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth of 
November. 

And the said Thomas Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt 
fulfillment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part, 
contracts to and agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five 
dollars per ton, for each ton as soon as delivered. 

In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is 
hereby stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall pay to the 
other, One Hundred Dollars, as fixed and settled damages. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day and 
year first above written. John Jones, 

Thomas Whiteside. 

AGREEMENT WITH CLERK FOR SERVICES. 

This Agreement, made the first day of May, one thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-six, between Reuben Stone, of Chicago, County 
of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the first part, and George Barclay, of 
Englewood, County of Cook, State of Illinois, party of the second part — 

Witnesseth, that said George Barclay agrees faithfully and dili- 
gently to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for 
and during the space of one year from the date hereof, should both 
live such length of time, without absenting himself from lii^ occupation; 



H'J ABSTRACT OF II.I.INois SPATE LAWS. 

during which time he, the said Barclay, in the Btore of Baid Stone, of 
Chicago, will carefully and honestly attend, doing and performing all 
duties as clerk ami salesman aforesaid, in accordance and in all res] 
as directed and desired by the said Stone. 

In consideration of which s . so to be rendered by the said 

Barclay, the sai<l Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual Bum of 
• me thousand dollar.-, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each 

upon the last day of each month : provided that all dues for days of 

absence from business by -aid Barclay, shall he deducted from the Bum 

otherwise by the agrei menl due and payable by the said Stone to the -aid 
Barclay. 

Witness our hands. REUBEN STONE. 

(iiiorge Barclay. 

BILLS OF SALE. 

A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consider- 
ation to convey his right ami interest in the personal property. The 
purchaser must take actual possession of the property. Juries have 
power to determine upon the fairness or unfairness of a hill of sale. 

COMMON FORM OF BILL OF SALE. 

Know am. Mkn by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay. of Princeton. 
Illinois, of the tir.-t part, for and in consideration of Five Hundred 
and Ten dollar-, to me paid by John Floyd, of the same place, of the 
second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold, and 
by this instrument d<> convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second 
pari, his executors, administrators, and assigns, my undivided half of 

ten acre- of com, now growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrrell, in the 

town above mentioned : one pair of horses, sixteen sheep, and five cow-. 
belonging to me. and in my possession at the farm aforesaid : to have and 

to hold the same nnto the party of tin- second part, his executor- and 

assigns, forever. Ami I do, for myself and legal representativi 

with the -aid party of the second part, and his Legal representatives, to 

warrant and defend the -ale of the afore-meiit ioned property and chattels 

nnto the said party of the Becond part, and his legal represental 
againsl all ami every person whatsoever. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand, this tenth day 
of October, on,' thousand eighl hundred and seventy-six. 

Louis o.av. 
BONDS. 

A bond is a written admission OH the part of the maker iii which he 
pll ' I i tain sum to another, at a certain time. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 147 

COMMON FORM OF BOND. 

Know all Men by this instrument, that I, George Edgerton, of 
Watseka, Iroquois County, State of Illinois, am firmly bound unto Peter 
Kirchoff, of the place aforesaid, in the sum of five hundred dollars, to be 
paid to the said Peter Kirchoff, or his legal representatives ; to which 
payment, to be made, I bind myself, or my legal representatives, by this 
instrument. 

Sealed with my seal, and dated this second day of November, one 
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four. 

The condition of this bond is such that if I, George Edgerton, my 
heirs, administrators, or executors, shall promptly pay the sum of two 
hundred and fifty dollars in three equal annual payments from the date 
hereof, with annual interest, then the above obligation to be of no effect ; 
otherwise to be in full force and valid. 
Sealed and delivered in 

presence of George Edgerton. [l.s.] 

William Turner. 

CHATTEL MORTGAGES. 

A chattel mortgage is a mortgage on personal property for payment 
of a certain sum of money, to hold the property against debts of other 
creditors. The mortgage must describe the property, and must be 
acknowledged before a justice of the peace in the township or precinct 
where the mortgagee resides, and entered upon his docket, and must be 
recorded in the recorder's office of the county. 

GENERAL FORM OF CHATTEL MORTGAGE. 

This Indenture, made and entered into this first day of January, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, 
between Theodore Lottinville, of the town of Geneseo in the County 
of Henry, and State of Illinois, party of the first part, and Paul Henshaw, 
of the same town, county, and State, party of the second part. 

Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consider- 
ation of the sum of one thousand dollars, in hand paid, the receipt whereof 
is hereby acknowledged, does hereby grant, sell, convey, and confirm unto 
the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever, all and 
singular the following described goods and chattels, to wit : 

Two three-year old roan-colored horses, one Burdett organ, No. 987, 
one Brussels carpet, 15x20 feet in size, one marble-top center table, one 
Home Comfort cooking stove, No. 8, one black walnut bureau with mirror 
attached, one set of parlor chairs (six in number), upholstered in green 
rep, with lounge corresponding with same in style and color of upholstery, 
now in possession of said Lottinville, at Xo. 4 Prairie Ave., Geneseo, 111. ; 



148 ai;sn;.\< T <>]• [LLINOIS STATE I..W. 

ether with all ami singular, the appurtenances thereunto belong- 
ing, or in any wise appertaining; to have ami to hold the above described 

goods and chattels, unto tin- said party of the second part, his heirs and 

03, loir. 

. idi'd, always, and these presents are upon this express condition, 
that if. the -aid Theodore Lottinville, his heirs, executors, administrators, 
or assigns, -hall, on or before the fir>t day of January. A. I)., one thousand 
eight hundred and Beventy-six, pay. or ran-.- to be paid, to the said Paul 

slow, or his lawful attorney or attorney-, heirs, executors, adminis- 
trator-, or assigns, the sum of One Thousand dollars, her with the 
interest that may accrue thereon, at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, 
from the first day of January, A.I), one thousand eight hundred and 
Beventy-nve, until paid, according to the tenor of one promissory note 
bearing even date herewith for the payment of said sum of money, that 
then ami from thenceforth, these presents, and everything herein con- 
tained, shall cease, and be null and void, anything herein contained to the 
contrary not withstands 

Provided, also, that the said Theodore Lottinville may retain the 

possession of and have the use of said g Is and chattels until the day 

"[' payment aforesaid ; and also, at his own expense, .-hall keep said goods 
and chattels; and also at the expiration of said time of payment, if said 
- 1111 of money, together with the Lnteresl as aforesaid, shall not be paid, 
shall deliver up said goods and chattels, in good condition, to said Paul 
Ran-low. or his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. 

And provided, also, that if default in payment as aforesaid, by 
party of the first part, shall be made, or if said party of the second part 

'.at anytime before said promissory note becomes due, feel himseli 
unsafe or insecure, that then the said party of the second part, or his 

irney, agent, assigns, or heir-, executors, or administrators, shall have 

the right to take possession of said goods and chattels, wherever they 

may or can be found, and sell the same at public or private sale, to the 

highest bidder for cash in hand, after giving ten days" notice of the time 
and place of -aid sale, together with a description of the goods and chat- 
tels to be -old. by at Least four advertisements, posted up in public p] 

in the vicinity where -aid -ale i- to take place, and proceed to make the 

sum of money and interest promised as aforesaid, together with all reason- 
able costs, charges, and expense- in 80 doing J and if there shall he any 
rplUB, -hall pay the same without delay to the saitl party of the first 

part, or hi- legal representati 

In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto 

set his hand and affixed hi- Beal, the day and year lir-t above written. 

- ned. -tided ami delivered in 

presence of Theodore Lottinville. [l.8.] 

Samuel .1. Tilden. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 149 

LEASE OF FARM AND BUILDINGS THEREON. 

This Indenture, made this second day of June, 1875, between David 
Patton of the Town of Bisbee, State of Illinois, of the first part, and John 
Doyle of the same place, of the second part, 

Witnesseth, that the said David Patton, for and in consideration of 
the covenants hereinafter mentioned and reserved, on the part of the said 
John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, to be paid, kept, 
and performed, hath let, and by these presents doth grant, demise, and 
let, unto the said John Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, 
all that parcel of land situate in Bisbee aforesaid, bounded and described 
as follows, to wit : 

[Here describe the land.] 

Together with all the appurtenances appertaining thereto. To have 
and to hold the said premises, with appurtenances thereto belonging, unto 
the said Doyle, his executors, administrators, and assigns, for the term of 
five years, from the first day of October next following, at a yearly rent 
of Six Hundred dollars, to be paid in equal payments, semi-annually, as 
long as said buildings are in good tenantable condition. 

And the said Doyle, by these presents, covenants and agrees to pay 
all taxes and assessments, and keep in repair all hedges, ditches, rail, ami 
other fences ; (the said David Patton, his heirs, assigns and administra- 
tors, to furnish all timber, brick, tile, and other materials necessary for 
such repairs.) 

Said Doyle further covenants and agrees to apply to said land, in a 
farmer-like manner, all manure and compost accumulating upon said 
farm, and cultivate all the arable land in a husbandlike manner, accord- 
ing to the usual custom among farmers in the neighborhood ; he also 
agrees to trim the hedges at a seasonable time, preventing injury from 
cattle to such hedges, and to all fruit and other trees on the said premises. 
That he will seed down with clover and timothy seed twenty acres yearly 
of arable land, ploughing the same number of acres each Spring of land 
now in grass, and hitherto unbroken. 

It is further agreed, that if the said Doyle shall fail to perform the 
whole or any one of the above mentioned covenants, then and in that 
case the said David Patton may declare this lease terminated, by giving 
three months' notice of the same, prior to the first of October of any 
year, and may distrain any part of the stock, goods, or chattels, or other 
property in possession of said Doyle, for sufficient to compensate for the 
non-performance of the above written covenants, the same to be deter- 
mined, and amounts so to be paid to be determined, by three arbitrators, 
chosen as follows: Each of the parties to this instrument to choose one, 



L50 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWB. 

and the two so choseD to selecl a third : the decision of Bald arbitrators 
to be final. 

In witness whereof, we have hereto set our hands and seals. 
Signed, sealed, and delivered 

in presence of David Patton. [l.s.] 

Jambs Waldbon. John Doyle, [l.s.] 

FORM OF LEASE OF A HOUSE. 

Tni> [nstbument, made the first day of October, 1875, witnessed 
that Ainu- Griesl of Vorkville. County of Kendall, State of Illinois, hath 
rented from Aaron Young of Logansporl aforesaid, the dwelling and lot 
No. 13 Ohio Street, situated in said City of Vorkville. for five years 
from the above date at the yearly rental of Three Hundred dollars, pay- 
able monthly, on the first day of each month, in advance, at the residence 
of said Aaron Young. 

At the expiration of said above mentioned term, the said Griest 
agree- to give the Bald Young peaceable possession of the said dwelling, 
in as good condition a> when taken, ordinary wear and casualties excepted. 

Iii witness whereof, we place our hands and seals the day and year 
aforesaid. 

Signed, sealed and delivered Amos G-biest. [l.s.] 

in presence of 

NlOKOLAS Scili lz. Aai;m\ XOUNQ. [ L.s. 1 

Notary Public. 

LANDLORD'S AGREEMENT. 

This certifies that I have let and rented, this first day of January, 
1870. unto Jacob Schmidt, my house and lot, No, 15 Erie Street, in the 
City of Chicago, State of Illinois, ami its appurtenances ; he to have the 
free and uninterrupted occupation thereof for one year from this date, at 
the yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly in advance : 
rent to cease it" destroyed by fire, or otherwise mad.' untenantable. 

Peteb Funk. 
TENANT'S AGREEMENT. 

Tins certifies that I have hired and taken from Peter Funk, his 

house and lot, No. 15 Brie Street, in the City of Chicago, State <>f Illi- 
nois, with appurtenances thereto belonging, for one year, to commence 

this day. at a yearly rental of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid monthly 

in advance ; unless -aid house becomes untenantable from fire or other 
causes, in which case rent ceases; and I further agree to give and yield 

said premises one year from this first day of January L876, in as g 1 

condition as now. ordinary wear and damage by the elements excepted. 
Uiveo under my hand this da v< Jacob Schmidt. 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 151 

NOTICE TO QUIT. 

To F. W. Arlen, 

Sir : Please observe that the term of one year, for which the house 
and land, situated at No. 6 Indiana Street, and now occupied by you, 
were rented to you, expired on the first day of October, 1875, and as I 
desire to repossess said premises, you are hereby requested and required 
to vacate the same. Respectfully Yours, 

P. T. Barnum. 

Lincoln, Neb., October 4, 1875. 

TENANT'S NOTICE OF LEAVING. 

Dear Sir: 

The premises I now occupy as your tenant, at No. 6 Indiana Street, 
I shall vacate on the first day of November, 1875. You will please take 
notice accordingly. 

Dated this tenth day of October, 1875. F. W. Arlen. 

To P. T. Barnum, Esq. 

REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE TO SECURE PAYMENT OF MONEY. 

This Indenture, made this sixteenth day of May, in the year of 
our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between William 
Stocker, of Peoria, County of Peoria, and State of Illinois, and Olla, his 
wife, party of the first part, and Edward Singer, party of the second part. 

Whereas, the said party of the first part is justly indebted to the said 
party of the second part, in the sum of Two Thousand dollars, secured 
to be paid by two certain promissory notes (bearing even date herewith) 
the one due and payable at the Second National Bank in Peoria, Illinois, 
with interest, on the sixteenth day of May, in the year one thousand eight 
hundred and seventy-three ; the other due and payable at the Second 
National Bank at Peoria, 111., with interest, on the sixteenth day of May, 
in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four. 

Now, therefore, this indenture witnesseth, that the said party of the 
first part, for the better securing the payment of the money aforesaid, 
with interest thereon, according to the tenor and effect of the said two 
promissory notes above mentioned ; and, also in consideration of the fur- 
ther sum of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said party of the sec- 
ond part, at the delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby 
acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed, and by these 
presents do grant, bargain, sell, and convey, unto the said party of the 
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all that certain parcel of land, 
situate, etc. 

[Describing the premises.] 

To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the 
Tenements, Hereditaments, Privileges and Appurtenances thereunto 



L52 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS BTATE LAW-. 

belonging or in any wist- appertaining. And bate, interest, 

and claim whatsoever, in Law as well as in equity which the party oi 
the firsl part have in and to the premises hereby conveyed onto the said 
party of the Becond part, his heirs and assigns, and to their only proper 
use, benefit and behoof. And the said William Stocker, and Olla, his 
wife, party of the firsl part, hereby expressly waive, relinquish, rel< 
and convey unto the said party of the Becond part, his heirs, executors, 
administrators, and assigns, all right, title claim, interest, and benefit 
whatever, in and to the above described premises, and each and every 
part thereof, which i- given by or results from all laws of this Btate per- 
taining to the exemption of homesteads. 

Provided always, and these presents are upon this express condition, 
thai it' the said party of the firsl part, their heirs, executors, or adminis- 
trators, shall well and truly pay. or cause to be paid, to the said party of 
the Becond part, his heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, the afore- 
said sums of money, with Buoh Lnteresl thereon, at the time and in the 
manner specified in the above mentioned promissory notes, accordin 
the true intent and meaning thereof, then in that case, these presents and 
every thing herein expressed, shall be absolutely mill and void. 

In witness whereof, tin- said party of the first pan hereunto set theii 
hands and seals the day and year first above written. 
Signed. Bealed and delivered in presence of 

James Whitehead, William Stocker. [l.b.] 

Frki>. Sami'li Olla Stookeb. [l.s.] 

WARRANTY DEED WITH COVENANTS. 

This [ndBNTOEE, made this -ixth day of April, in the year of 0U1 

I. 1 one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, between Henry Best 

of Lawrence, County of Lawrence, State of Illinois, and Belle, his wife, 

<>f the first part, and Charles Pearson <>f the same place, of the second pan. 

Witnesseth, that t lie said party of tie- first part, for and in consideration 

of the sum of Six Thousand dollars in hand paid by the -;ti« i party of the 

■ ml part, the receipt whereof i> hereby acknowledged, have granted, 
bargained, and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain, and Bell, 
unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all the fol- 
lowing described Lot, piece, or parcel of land, situated in the ( 'it y of Law- 
rence, in the County of Lawrence, and State of Illinois, to wit : 
// '. the /</•"/" /•///. ] 

Together with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenai 
thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, and the reversion and 
reversions, remainder and remainders, rent-, issues, and profits thereof; 
and all the estate, ngnt, title, interest, claim, ami demand whatsoever, of 
the said party of the nrst part, either in law or equity, of. in. and to th* 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 153 

above bargained premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances. 
To have and to hold the said premises above bargained and described, 
with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs 
and assigns, forever. And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, par- 
ties of the first part, hereby expressly waive, release, and relinquish unto 
the said party of the second part, his heirs, executors, administrators, and 
assigns, all right, title, claim, interest, and benefit whatever, in and to the 
above described premises, and each and every part thereof, which is given 
by or results from all laws of this state pertaining to the exemption of 
homesteads. 

And the said Henry Best, and Belle, his wife, party of the first 
part, for themselves and their heirs, executors, and administrators, do 
covenant, grant, bargain, and agree, to and with the said party of the 
second part, his heirs and assigns, that at the time of the ensealing and 
delivery of these presents they were well seized of the premises above 
conveyed, as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute, and indefeasible estate of 
inheritance in law, and in fee simple, and have good right, full power, 
and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey the same, in 
manner and form aforesaid, and that the same are free and clear from all 
former and other grants, bargains, sales, liens, taxes, assessments, and 
encumbrances of what kind or nature soever; and the above 'bargained 
premises in the cpaiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the 
second part, his heirs and assigns, against all and every person or persons 
lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part thereof, the said party 
of the first part shall and will warrant and forever defend. 

In testimony whereof, the said parties of the first part have hereunto 
set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. 
Signed, sealed and delivered 

in presence of Henry Best, [l.s.] 

Jerry Linklater. Belle Best. [l.s.] 

QUIT-CLAIM DEED. 

This Indenture, made the eighth day of June, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, between David Tour, 
of Piano, County of Kendall, State of Illinois, party of the first part, 
and Larry O'Brien, of the same place, party of the second pari, 

Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in considera- 
tion of Nine Hundred dollars in hand paid by the said party of the sec- 
ond part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the said party 
of the second part forever released and discharged therefrom, has remised, 
released, sold, conveyed, and quit-claimed, and by these presents does 
remise, release, sell, convey, and quit-claim, unto the said party of the 
second part, his heirs and assigns, forever, all the right, title, interest, 



154 ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 

claim, md demand, which the said party of the first part lias in ami to 
the following described lot, piece, or parcel of Land, to wit: 

[ // '■ the land. ] 

To have and to hold the same, together with all and singular the 
appurtenances and privileges thereunto belonging, or in any wise th< 
onto appertaining, and all the estate, right, title, interest, and claim 
whatever, of the said party of the firsl part, either in law or equity, to 
the only propei use, benefit, and behoof of the Baid party of the second 
part, hia heirs and assigns forever. 

In witness whereof the said party of the first part hereunto Bet his 
hand and seal the day and year above written. 

d. scaled and delivered David Tour. [L.8.] 

in presence of 
Thomas Ashley. 

The above forms of Deeds and Mortgage are such as have heretofore 
been generally used, but the following are much shorter, and arc made 
equally valid by the laws of this state. 

WARRANTY DEED. 

The grantor (heir insert name or names and place of residence), for 
and in consideration of (here inserl consideration) in hand paid, conveys 
and warrants to (here insert the grantee's name or names) the following 
described real estate (here insert description), situated in the County oi 

in the State of Illinois. 

Dated this day of A. D. 18 . 

QUIT CLAIM DEED. 

The grantor (here inserl grantor's name or names and place of resi- 
dence), for the consideration of (here insert consideration) convey and 
luit-claim to (here inserl grantee's came or names) all interest in the 
following described real estate (here inserl description), situated in the 

Countv of in the State of Illinois. 

Dated this day of A. I). 18 . 

MORTGAGE. 

The mortgagor I here inserl name or names') mortgages and warrants 
to I here insert name or names of mortgagee or mortg . to seen re the 

payment of (here recite the nature and amounl of indebtedness, showing 
when due and the rate of interest, and whether sdcured by note or other- 
wise >. I he following described real estate i here insert description thereof)) 
Bituated in the County of in the State of Illinois. 

Dated this day of A. I). 18 . 

RELEASE. 

Know all Mem by these presents, thai I. Peter Ahlund, of Chicago, 

of the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, for and in consideration of 

One dollar, to me in hand paid, and for other n'ood and valuable COnsidera- 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 155 

tions, the receipt whereof is hereby confessed, do hereby grant, bargain, 
remise, convey, release, and quit-claim unto Joseph Carlin of Chicago, 
of the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, all the right, title, interest, 
claim, or demand whatsoever, I may have acquired in, through, or by a 
certain Indenture or Mortgage Deed, bearing date the second day of Jan- 
uary, A. D. 1871, and recorded in the Recorder's office of said county, 
in book A of Deeds, page 46, to the premises therein described, and which 
said Deed was made to secure one certain promissory note, bearing even 
date with said deed, for the sum of Three Hundred dollars. 

Witness my hand and seal, this second day of November, A. D. 1874, 

Peter Ahlund. [l.s.] 

State of Illinois, ) 

Cook County. \ ' I, George Saxton, a Notary Public in 

and for said county, in the state aforesaid, do hereby 

certify that Peter Ahlund, personally known to hip 

as the same person whose name is subscribed to the 

foregoing Release, appeared before me this day in 

[ ^Isll^ ] person, and acknowledged that he signed, sealed, and 

delivered the said instrument of writing as his free 

and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein 

set forth. 

Giv^n under my hand and seal, this second day of 

November, A. D. 1874. 

George Saxton, N. P. 

GENERAL FOMfl OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. 

I, Charles Mansfield, of the Town of Salem, County of Jackson, 
Srate of Illinois, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in failing 
health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be 
my last will and testament, in manner following, to wit: 

First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my oldest son, Sidney H. 
Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, cf bank stock, now in the 
Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself 
in the Town of Buskirk, consisting of one hundrect and sixty acres, with 
all the houses, tenements, and improvements thereunto belonging ; to 
have and to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assigiu, forever. 

Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my daughters, Anna 
Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two Thousand dollars in 
bank stock, in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio, and also each 
one quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in the Town of 
Lake, Illinois, and recorded in my name in the Recorder's officv in the 
county where such land is located. The north one hundred and sixty 
acres of said half section is devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise. 
6 



15C ABSTEA4 i OF ILLINOIS BTATB laws. 

/' ■■ i . I give, devise and bequeath bo my bouj Frank Alfred Mans- 
field, Five shares of Railroad stock in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
and ni\ one hundred and sixty acres of land and saw mill thereon, >itu- 
ated in Manistee, Michigan, with all the improvements and appurtenances 
thereunto belonging, which said real recorded in my aame in the 

county w licif Bit iiated. 

/ //•'//. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my 
household furniture, goods, chattels, and personal property, about my 
home, not hitherto disposed of, including Bight Thousand dollars of bank 
stock in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati. Ohio, Fifteen Bhares in 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, pos- 

on, and benefit of the home farm, bo long as she may live, in lieu of 
dower, to which Bhe is entitled by law; Baid farm being my presenl place 
of residence. 

Fifth. I heqiieath to my invalid lather, Elijah H. Mansfield, the 
income from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson Street, Chicago, 
Illinois, during the term of his natural life. Said building and land there- 
with tn revert to my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon 

1 he demise of my said father. 

Sixth. It is als<> my will and desire that, at the death of my wife. 
Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when -he may arrange to 
relinquish her lite interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same 
may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each. 

And lastly. I nominate and appoint a- executors of this my last will 
and testament, my wife. Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, and my eldest son, 
Sidney II. Mansfield. 

I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shaJ 

be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savin-- Bank of Salem, the 

residue of such moneys to revert to my wife. Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, 

for her use l'orev er. 

Iii witness whereof, I, Charles Mansfield, to this my lasl will and 

testament, have hereunto net my hand and seal, this fourth day of April, 

eighteen hundred and seventy-two. 



Signed, sealed, and declared by Charles 
Mansfield, a- and for his lasl will and 
testament, in the presence of us, who. 
at his request, and in hi- presenoe, and 
in the presence of each other, have sub- 
scribed OUr n i:nc- hereunto a> witic 
thereof. 

Pj it.i: A. Sohenok, Sycamore, Ills. 

Frank E. Den r, Salem, 111-. 



Challls Mansfield, [l.s.] 



Charles Mansfield, [l.s.] 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 157 

CODICIL. 

Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one 
thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testa- 
ment, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be 
taken as a part thereof. 

Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna 
Louise, has deceased November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, 
and whereas, a son has been born to me, which son is now christened 
Richard Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, 
and all right, interest, and title in lands and bank stock and chattels 
bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will. 

In witness whereof, I hereunto place my hand and seal, this tenth 
day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. 

Signed, sealed, published, and declared to~ 

us by the testator, Charles Mansfield, as 

and for a codicil to be annexed to his 

last will and testament. And we, at 

his request, and in his presence, and in 

the presence of each other, have sub- 
scribed our names as witnesses thereto, 

at the date hereof. 
Frank E. Dent, Salem, Ills. 
John C. Shay, Salem, Ills. 

CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS 

May be legally made by electing or appointing, according to the usages 
or customs of the body of which it is a part, at any meeting held for that 
purpose, two or more of its members as trustees, wardens or vestrymen, and 
may adopt a corporate name. The chairman or secretary of such meeting 
shall, as soon as possible, make and file in the office of the recorder of 
deeds of the county, an affidavit substantially in the following form : 
State of Illinois, 



> 



Count}-. \ 

I. . do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), 

that at a meeting of the members of the (here insert the name of the 
church, society or congregation as known before organization), held at 

(here insert place of meeting), in the County of .and State of 

Illinois, on the day of , A.D. 18 — , for that purpose, the fol- 
lowing persons were elected (or appointed) [here insert their names] 
trustees, wardens, vestrymen, (or officers by whatever name they may 
choose to adopt, with powers similar to trustees) according to the rules 
and usages of sueb (church, society or congregation), and said 



I.> AB8TBA0T OF CLLINOIS STATE LAW-. 

adopted as its corporate name (here insert name), and at said meeting 
this affiant acted as < chairman or secretary, as the case may I 

Subscribed and Bworn to before me, this day of . A.I>. 

18 — . Name of Affiant 

which affidavit must be recorded by the recorder, and shall be, or a certi- 
fied copy made by the recorder, received as evidence of >uch an incorpo- 
ration. 

A' ■■ rtificati lion afti r the first n* • d be iiJ> d for n ■ 

The term of office of the trustees and the general government of the 
society van be determined by the rules or by-laws adopted. Failure to 
elect trustees at the time provided does not work a dissolution, but the 
old trustees hold over. A. trustee or trustees maybe removed, in the 
same manner by the society as elections are held by a meeting called for 
that purpose. The property of the society vests in the corporation. The 
corporation may hold, or acquire by purchase or otherwise, land not 
eding ten acres, for the purpose of the society. The trustees have 
the care, custody ami control of the property of the corporation, and can. 
when directed by the society, erect houses or improvement-, ami repair 
and alter the same, and may also when so directed by the society, 
mortgage, encumber, sell and convey any real or personal estate belonging 
to the corporation, and make all proper contract- in the nam.' of Mich 

corporation. Hut they are prohibited by law from encumbering or inter- 
fering with any property 80 a- to destroy the effect of any gift, -rant, 
devise ,.r hcipiest to the corporation : Km such gifts, grants, devises 01 
bequests, must in all cases be used so a- to carry out the object intended 
bythe persons making the same. Existing societies may organize in the 
manner herein set forth, and have all the advantages thereof. 

SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

The business of publishing hunks by subscription having bo often been 
brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations 
/ bythe publisher; in order to prevent that a- much as possi- 
ble, and that there may be more general knowledge of the relation such 
agents bear to their principal, ami the law governing Buch cases, the fol- 
lowing statement is nnt' 

I subscription is in the natun tract of mutual promises, by 

which the subscriber agrees to pay •' certain sum for the work described; 
the consideration is concurrent that the publisher Bhall publish the book 
named t ami deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price 
named. The nature and character of th* work I in the prospt 

andbytht sample shown. These should be carefully examined before sub- 

"./. .1- the} are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay, 



ABSTRACT OF ILLINOIS STATE LAWS. 159 

and not the too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely 
employed to solicit subscription*, for which he is usually paid a commission 
for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions 
upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. 
Should the agent assume to agree to make the subscription conditional or 
modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out by prospectus 
and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should see that 
such conditions or changes are stated over or in connection ivith his signa- 
ture, so that the publisher may have notice of the same. 

All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or 
any other business, should remember that the law as to written contract* is, 
that they can not be varied, altered or rescinded verbally, but if done at all, 
must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contem- 
plating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after 
the subscription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the 
contract. 

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as 
•canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in a 
prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any other way to the 
prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other 
matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made 
in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of payment 
beyond the time of delivery, nor bind their principal for the payment of 
expenses incurred in their buisness. 

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, 
before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru- 
ment, would examine carefully what it is ; if they can not read themselves, 
should call on some one disinterested who can. 

6 



160 COUBTUUTIOM ui - XHE (J29HED STATES 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 

We, the people of the United rm a mon perfect imson, 

iblish justice, insun domestic tranquillity, providt for tht common 

defense i promote the gem ral ><; Ifan . and ft nun tin- bU %sings of libt rty 

tirselves and our posterity, do ordain <//<■/ establish this Constibu 
for the United Statet America. 

Article I. 

Section 1. All legislative pow< in granted shall 1 >e vested in 

a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and 
House of Representatives. 

. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of mem* 
- chosen every Becond year by the people of the several states, and the 
k-ctuis in cadi state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of 
the inost numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained to the 
age of twenty-live years. an<l been Beven years a citizen of the United 
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in 
which he shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes Bhall be apportioned among the sev- 
eral states which may be included within this Union, according to their 
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole 
number of free person-, including those bound to service for a term of 
Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-tit'ths of all other persons. 
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first 
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subse- 
quent term often years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The 
number of Representatives shall nol exceed one tor every thirty thousand, 
but each Btate shall have at least one Representative ; and until such 
enumeration shall be made the Stat.' of New Hampshire shall be entitled 
to choose three, Ma»achuset ts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plan- 
tations one. Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four. Pennsylva- 
nia eight, Delaware one, Maryland six. Virginia ten, North Carolina five, 
and ( Feoi gia three. 

When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the 
Executive authority thereof Bhall issue writs of election to iill such 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other 

officers, and Bhall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Sao. S. The Senate ^'\ the United States shall be composed of two 
Senators from each Btate, chosen by tin' Legislature thereof foi bu years; 

and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Immediately after they Bhall be assembled in consequence of the first 

election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three clae 
The seats of the Senator- of the first class Bhall be vacated at the expira- 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 161 

tion of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth 
year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that 
one-third maybe chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen by 
resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the Legislature of any state. 
the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next 
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age 
of thirty years and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and 
who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he 
shall be chosen. 

The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the 
Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro 
tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise 
the office of President of the United States. 

The Senate shali have the sole power to try all impeachments. When 
sitting for that purpose they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the 
President of the United States is tried the Chief Justice shall preside. 
And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds 
of the members present. 

Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to 
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party convicted 
shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, 
and punishment according to law. 

Sec. 4. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Sen- 
ators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the Legis- 
lature thereof ; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter 
such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. 

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such 
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by 
law appoint a different day. 

Sec. 5. Each house shall be the judge of the election, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute 
a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to 
day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members 
in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its 
members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, 
expel a member. 

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to 
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, 
require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house 
on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered 
on the journal. 

Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the 
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other 
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 

Sec. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compen- 
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the 
treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason. 



LG2 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their 
attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and 
returning from the same j and for any Bpeech or debate in cither house 
they shall not be questioned in any other plan-. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was 
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United 
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall 
have been increased during such time : and no person holding any office 
under the United States, shall be a member 01 either house during his 
continuance in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of 
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments 
as on other bills. 

Every bill whioh shall have passed the House of Representatives and 
the Senate, shall, before it becomes a law. be presented to the President 
the United States; if he approve he shall Bign it : but if not lie shall 
return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have origi- 
nated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. If, after BUch reconsideration two-thirds of that 
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec- 
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if 
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all 
such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by 3 eas and nays, 
ami the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned 
by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted (.after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall lie a law. in like manner as if he 
had signed it, unless the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its 
return, in which case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the 
Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a 
question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the 
United States, and before the same shall take effect shall be approved by 
him, or, being disapproved by him. shall be re-passed by two-third> oi 
the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and lim- 
itations prescribed in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. The Congress shall have power — 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts, 

and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United 

States : but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout 
♦he United Stat. - : 

To borrow money on the credit of the United State- : 

To regulate commerce with foreign nation-, and among the several 
States, and with the Indian tribes; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on 
the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United Stat. 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and 
fix the standard of weights and measures; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and 
current coin of the United Stat. 

To establish post offices and post roads; 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 163 

To promote the progress of sciences and useful arts, by securing, 
for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their 
respective writings and discoveries; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high 
seas, and offenses against the law of nations; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules 
concerning captures on land and water ; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that 
use shall be for a longer term than two years ; 

To provide and maintain a navy ; 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and 
naval forces ; 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the 
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and 
for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the 
United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the 
officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the disci^ 
pline prescribed by Congress ; 

To exercise legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not 
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the 
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United 
States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the 
consent of the Legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for 
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful 
buildings ; and 

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying 
int execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this 
Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any depart- 
ment or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited 
by the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, 
but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten 
dollars for each person. 

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, 
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may 
require it. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion 
to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. 

No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or rev- 
enue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels 
bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in 
another. 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of 
appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of 
the receipts and expeditures of all public money shall be published from 
time to time. 



[04 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: amino 
person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the 
consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office* or title 
oi' any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign Btate. 

. in. No >tate shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confeder- 
ation ; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit hills of 
credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of 
debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts 
or duties on imports or export-, except what may be absolutely necessary 
for executing its inspection laws, and the net produce of all duties and 
imposts laid hy any siate on import- or exports, shall he for the use of the 
Treasury of the United States, and all such laws .-hall be subject to the 
revision and control of the Oongri 

No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty on 
tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any 
agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or 
engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will 
not admit of delay. 

Article II. 

Section 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a President of 
the United States of America, lie shall hold his office during the term 
of four years, and, together with the Vice-President chosen for the same 
term, he elected as follow s : 

1. h state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof 
may direct, a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators 
and Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress; 
hut no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or 
profit under tin' United States, shall he appointed an Elector. 

[ * The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by 
ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not he an inhabitant of 
the same state with themselves. And tiny shall make a list of all the 
persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each ; which list they 

shall sign and certify, ami transmit, Sealed, to the seat of the government 

of the united States, directed to the President of the Senate. The Pres- 
ident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and I louse of Rep- 
resentatives, open all the Certificates, and the votes shall then he counted. 
The person having tin' greatest number of votes shall he the President, 
if smh dumber he a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed ; 
ami if there he more than One who ha\e BUCh majority, and have an equal 
number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately 
choose by ballot one of them for President ; and if no person have a ma- 
jority, then from the live highest on the list the said House shall in like 

manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the vote 
shall he taken by states, the representation from each state having one 
vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members 

from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be 
necessary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the President* 

•This clause bet ween, brackets bas been superseded ami annulled Uj the Twelfth amendment 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 165 

the person having the greatest number of votes of the Electors shall be 
the Vice-President. But if there should remain two or more who have 
equal votes, the Senate shall choose from them by ballot the Vice-Presi- 
dent.] 

The Congress may determine the time of choosing the Electors, and 
the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same 
throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United 
States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible 
to the office of President ; neither shall any person be eligible to that 
office who shall not have attained the age of thirty-five years, and been 
fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, 
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said 
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President, and the Congress 
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inabil- 
ity, both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall 
then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the dis- 
ability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a com- 
pensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the 
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive 
within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of 
them. 

Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the fol- 
lowing oath or affirmation : 

" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the 
office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, 
preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." 

Sec. 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the army and 
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when 
called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the 
opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive 
departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective 
offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardon for offenses 
against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present con- 
cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice of the Senate, 
shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of 
the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose 
appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be 
established by law ; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment 
of such inferior officers as they think proper in the President alone, in 
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may 
happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which 
shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Sec. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information 
of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such mea- 
sures as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may on extraordinary 



STSTITUTIOH OF TUT QUOTED STATES 

occasions convene both houses, or either of them, and in east- of disagree- 
ment between them, with respecl to the time of adjournment, he may 
adjourn them to such time as he -hill think proper; he shall receive 
ambassadors and ol her public ministers ; he shall take cart- that the law a 
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United 
Stal 

Sec. 1. The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the 
United States,8hall be removed from office «>n impeachmenl for, and con- 
viction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

Article III. 

Section I. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested 
in one Supreme Court, and BUCh inferior courts as the Congress may from 
time to lime ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and 
inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at 
stated tine-, receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be 
diminished during their continuance in office. 

SEC. -• The judicial power Bhall extend to all eases, in law and 
(Mjnii v. arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and 
treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority ; to all I 
affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls ; to all eases of 
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United 
States shall be a party ; to controversies between two or more states; 
between a Btate and citizens of another state ; between citizens of differ- 
ent Btates : between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants 
of different Btates, and between a state or the citizens thereof, ami foreign 
states, citizens, or subjects. 

In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, 
and those in which a stab -hall be a party, the Supreme Court shall have 
original jurisdiction. 

In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall 
have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions 
and under Buch regulations as the Congress shall make. 

The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by 

jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the Baid crimes shall 

have been committed ; tut when not committed within any state, the 
trial Bhall be at such place or plaoesasthe Congress may by law have 
directed. 

. 8. Treason against the United State-, shall consisl only in I 
ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid 
and comfort. No person shall he convicted of treason unless on the tes- 
timony of two witnesses t<> the sami ict, or on confession in open 
conn. 

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, 
but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, 
except during the life uf the person attainted. 

Ami' M. IV. 
OTIOM 1. bull faith and credit Bhall be given in each state to the 

public acts, record-, and judicial pro of > \< ry other Btate. Ami 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. L67 

the Congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges 
and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, 
who shall flee from justice and be found in another state, shall, on demand 
of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered 
up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof 
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation 
therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered 
up on the claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this Union ; 
but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any 
other state ; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, 
or parts of states, without the consent of the Legislatures of the states 
concerned, as well as of the Congress. 

The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful 
rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging 
to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed 
as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state. 

Sec. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this 
Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them 
against invasion, and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu- 
tive (when the Legislature can not be convened), against domestic vio- 
lence. 

Article V. 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it 
necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the ap- 
plication of the Legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call 
a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be 
valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution, when rati- 
fied by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by con- 
ventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratifi- 
cation may be proposed by the Congress. Provided that no amendment 
which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and 
eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth 
section of the first article ; and that no state, without its consent, shall 
be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate. 

Article VI. 

All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adop- 
tion of this Constitution shall be as valid against the United States under 
this Constitution as under the Confederation. 

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be 
made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, 
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the 
land ; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in 
the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the mem- 



L68 



CONSTITUTION OF THE DOTTED STATES 



bera of the several state Legislatures, and all executive and judicial offi- 
cers, both of the United States ami of the several states, BhaD be bound 
by ".ttli or affirmation to Bupport this Constitution; but no religious test 
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under 
the United States. 

Article VII. 

The ratification of the Conventions of nine states shall be sufficient 
for the establishment of this Constitution between the Btates so ratifying 
une. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consenl of the states present, the 
enteenth day of September, in the year id' our Lord one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of tin- 
United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof we have 
hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEO. WASHINGTON, 
President a /id Deputy from J irginia. 



New Hampshire. 
John LaNGDON, 
Nicholas Oilman. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel Goriiam, 
Rufus King. 

Connecticut. 
Wm. Sam'l Johnson, 
Rogei: Sherman. 



Delaware. 
Geo. Read, 
John Dickinson, 

Jaco. Broom. 
Gunning Bedford, Jr., 
Richard Bassett. 

Maryland. 
James M'Henrt, 
Dam.. Carroll, 
Dan. of St. Thos. Jenifer. 



JVew York. 
Alex a n deb I Iamilton. 

New Jersey. 
Wil. LIVINGSTON, 
Wm. T LTERSON, 
David BreARLEY, 

J( >H \. Dayton. 



/ vrgtnxa. 

John Blair, 
James Madison, Jr. 

N rth ' 'arolind. 
Wm. B loots i. 

Hu. Williamson. 
RiCH'D DOBBS Sl'AIGHT. 



/'■ nneylvania. 

B. FB AN KLIN. 

Ronr. .Mollis. 

Thos. Fitzsimons, 
.1 lmes Wilson, 
Thos. m cpfun, 
< tao. ( Iltmeb, 
Jabbd [nqersoll, 

Gouv. Mollis. 



South < 'arolina. 

J. ][\ FLEDGE, 

Charles Pinokney, 

CHAS. ( lOTESWOB III I'lNCKNLV. 
1'ii:l« i; BUTLER. 

Q rgia. 

William Few, 

All. Baldwin. 

WILLIAM JACKSON, S try. 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 169 



Articles in Addition to and Amendatory of the Constitution 
of the United States of America. 

Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several states, 
pursuant to the fifth article of the original Constitution. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, 
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of 
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, 
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. 

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free 
state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without 
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be pre- 
scribed by law. 

Article IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, 
and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio- 
lated ; and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by 
oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in 
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in actual 
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be subject 
for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; nor shall 
be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be 
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

Article VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a 
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district 
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have 
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; 
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor ; and to 
have the assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article VII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact 



170 0OM8TITDTIOM OF THE UH1TED STATES 

tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United 
States than according t<> the rules <>t" the common law. 

Article VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, 
nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Article IX. 

The enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be 

construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, 
nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, 
or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to 
extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one 
of the United States by citizens of another .-tale, or by citizens or sub- 
jects of any foreign state. 

Article XII. 

The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot 
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same Btate with themselves; they shall name in their 
ballots the person to be voted for as president, and in distinct ballots the 

pel-oil voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of 

all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice- 
President, and of t he number of votes for each, which list they shall Bign 
and cert if\ . ami transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United 
States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the 
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person 
having the greatest number of votes for President shall be the President, 

if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appoint! d . 

and if no person have Buch majority, then from the persons having the 

highest number not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as 

dent, the House of Representatives Bhall choose immediately, by 

ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be 

taken by States, the representation from each state having one vote: a 

quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be n.ces>ary to 

a choice. Audit' the House of Representatives shall no1 chooses Pn 

dent whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the 
fourth day of March cext following, then the Vice-President shall act as 

dent, as in the ease of the death or other constitutional disability ol 

the President. The person having the greatest cumber of vote- as Vice- 
President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be the majority 
of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a major' 



AND ITS AMENDMENTS. 171 

ity then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose 
the Vice-President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds 
of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number 
shall he necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible 
to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the 
United States. 

Article XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a 
punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, 
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their juris- 
diction. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro- 
priate legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and 
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law 
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United 
States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction 
the equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be appointed among the several states 
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of per- 
sons in each state, excluding Indians not taxed ; but when the right to 
vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vice- 
President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the execu- 
tive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the Legislature 
thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being 
twenty-one years of age and citizens of the United States, or in any way 
abridged except for participation in rebellion or other crimes, the basis of 
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the num- 
ber of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens 
twenty-one years of age in such state. 

Sec. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, 
or Elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or 
military, under the United States, or under any state, who, having previ- 
ously taken an oath as a Member of Congress, or as an officer of the 
United States, or as a member of any state Legislature, or as an execu- 
tive or judicial officer of any state to support the Constitution of the 
United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress mav 
by a vote of two-thirds of each house, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States author- 
ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and boun- 
ties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be ques- 
tioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall pay any debt 
or obligation incurred in the aid of insurrection or rebellion against the 
United States, or any loss or emancipation of any slave, but such debts, 
obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 



172 



CONSTITUTION OF THE INI I HI) STATES. 



Sao. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate 
legislationi the provisions of this act. 

Article XV. 

Section 1. Tin- right of citizens of the United States to vote shall 
doI be denied or abridged by the United States, oi by any Btate, on 
account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

^i:c -1. Coii-Tos shall have power to enl'oree this article by appro- 
priate legislation. 



ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. 

November 7. 1*7»». 



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Practical Rules for Every Day Use. 



How to find the gain or loss per cent, when the cost and selling price 
are given. 

Rule. — Find the difference between the cost and selling price, which 
wi'i be the gain or loss. 

Annex two ciphers to the gain or loss, and divide it by the cost 
price ; the result will be the gain or loss per cent. 

How to change gold into currency. 

Rule. — Multiply the given sum of gold by the price of gold. 

How to change currency into gold. 

Divide the amount in currency by the price of gold. 

How to find each partners share of the gain or loss in a copartnership 
business. 

Rule. — Divide the whole gain or loss by the entire stock, the quo- 
tient will be the gain or loss per cent. 

Multiply each partner's stock by this per cent., the result will be 
each one's share of the gain or loss. 

How to find, gross and net weight and price of hogs. 

A short and simple method for finding the net weight, or price of hogs, 
when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa. 

Note.— It is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs diminished by 1-5 or 20 per cent 
of itself gives the net weight, and the net weight increased by % or 25 per cent, of itself equals the 
gross weight. 

To find the net weight or gross price. 

Multiply the given number by .8 (tenths.) 

To find the gross weight or net price. 

Divide the given number by .8 (tenths.) 

How to find the capacity of a granary, bin, or wagon-bed. 

Rule. — Multiply (by short method) the number of cubic feet by 
6308, and point off one decimal place — the result will be the correct 
answer in bushels and tenths of a bushel. 

For only an approximate answer, multiply the cubic feet by 8, and 
point off one decimal place. 

How to find the contents of a corn-crib. 

Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, or 

(173) 



174 MISCELLANEOUS [NFORMATTON. 

by I: ordinary method, and poinl off one decimal plac< — the result will 
be the answer in bushels. 

ttlng corn In the ear, the qaaUtyand the time It ha* been cribbed most be taken 
.Tu will shrink considerably during the Winter and Spring. iiiN rale gei 
g I for corn measured .11 the time ii i-- cribbed, prorlded It Isaouud and clean. 

II <*■ to find the contents of a cistern or tank. 

Rule. — Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the depth 
in feet ) and this product by 5681 (shorl method), and point off i 
decimal place — the result will lie the contents in barrels of ; '-l 1 galloi 

// . ( . fin I th. conti nts of >t barn / or cask. 

Rule. — Under the square of the mean diameter, write the lei 

(all in inches) in REVERSED order, BO that its UNTT8 will fall under the 

pens; multiply by short method, and this product again by 130; point 

off one decimal place, and the result will he the answer in wine gallons. 

// w to measure boards. 

Rule. — .Multiply the Length (in feet ) by the width (in inches) and 
di\ ide the product by 1- — the result will he the contents in squat 

// " tomeasurt scantlings, joists, planks, sills, • /•■. 

Rule. — Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length together 
(the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), and divide 
the product by 12 — the result will be square feet. 

How i" tin'/ the number of acres in << body of land. 

Rule. — Multiply the Length by the width (in rods), ami divide the 
product by L60 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if there is a 
rem. tinder ) ; the result will he the answer in acres and hundredths. 

When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal Length, 

add them together ami take one-half for the inc. in Length <'i' width. 

// o to find ilf number of square ii<n-<ls in ,i //...,,- ,,/• wall. 

Rule. — Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), and 
divide the product 1>\ '.'. the result will be square yards. 

// o to in I tin number of bricks required in •> building. 

Ri i.i:. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22}. 

The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, height 
and thickness < in feet » together. 

Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, -1 inches wide, and two inches 
thick : hence, it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot without mortar, 
hut it i> generally assumed that the mortar fills 1-6 of the -pace. 

//..//• to til"/ tli' number of shingles r< -juii-' <l in a r 

Hi le. Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by v . if the 
shingles are exposed I : inches, or by 7 l-"> if exposed 5 inches. 

I find the number of square feet, multiply the Length of the roof by 

twice the lenel h of the rait' 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 175 

To find the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply the 
ridth of the building by .56 (hundredths) ; at one-third pitch, by .6 
tenths) ; at TWO-FIFTHS pitch, by .64 (hundredths) ; at one-half 
•itch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the rafters from 
he apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they are to project must be 
aken into consideration. 

NOTE.— By X or % pitch is meant that t lie apex or comb of tin- roof 18 to be X or X the width of the 
iiiidinjr higher than the wails pr base of the rafters. 

How to reckon the cost of hay. 

Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per ton, 
nd remove the decimal point three places to the left. 

How to measure grain. 

Rule. — Level the grain ; ascertain the space it occupies in cubic 
eet ; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one place to 
he left. 

NOTE.— Exactness requires the addition to every three hundred bushels of one extra bushel. 

The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gallons, by 
oultiplying the number of bushels by 8. 

If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to find 
he number of bushels of shelled corn, because it requires 2 bushels of eai 
orn to make 1 of shelled corn. 

Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments. 

In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of any 
•iven plot in square } r ards ; then, given the number of yards, find out the 
lumber of rods and acres. 

The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. Now, 
n ordinary-sized man can train himself to cover one yard at a stride, on 
he average, with sufficient accuracy for ordinary purposes. 

To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential to 
yalk in a straight line ; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in a line 
traight ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote; and, in walk- 
ug, keep these objects constantly in line. 

Farmers and others by adopting the follow 'nig simple and ingenious con- 
rivance, may always carry with them the scale to construct a correct yard 
rieasure. 

Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little linger of 
he left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders of the 
eft arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink. 

To find how man// rod* in length will make an acre, the width being ,</>>'< n. 
Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the answer. 



1T6 MISOELtLANBOUfi INFORMATION. 

II r to find tin number of acres in any plot of land, tin number of r U 
bt ing //' 

Rule. — Divide the number of rods by s . multiply the quotient by •", 
and remove the decimal poinl two places to the left. 

77. diameter being given, to find tin circumferen 

Rule. — Multiply the diametei by 8 1-7. . 

// • to find the diameter, ir},,„ the circumferena is given. 

Rule. — Divide the circumference by ■'• 1-7. 

7' find how many solid feet a round stick of timber of th\ sawn thick- 

throughout will contain when squared. 

Rule. — Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, multiply 
by the length in feet, and divide the product by 144. 

', ,/, /•,// /•///. for measuring timber, to find the solid cont* nts in feet. 

Rule. — Multiply the depth in inches by the breadth in inches, and 
then multiply by the length in feet, and divide l»y 144. 

'/' find the number ' timber in trees with the bark on. 

Rule. — Multiply the Bquare of one-fil'th of the circumference in 
inch.-, by twice the Length, ill feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 1-10 to 
1-15 according to the thickness of the hark. 

Howard's new rulefor computing interest. 

Rule. — The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the into 
on any sum of money will be Bhown by simply removing the decimal 
poinl two places to the left; for ten times that time, remove the point 
one place to the left; for 1-10 ofthesame time, remove the point three 
places i" i he left. 

rnerease or diminish the results to suit the time given. 

\..i> The reciprocal ol the rate lafound bj InYerttag Che rate; tim> :\ pet oeuLper month, in- 
verted, heooi rath, "> 10 <J*J I. 

Winn the rate is expressed by one figure, always write it thus: 3-1, 
three ones. 

/,'///, for converting English into American currency. 

Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence Btated in decimals, 

by 100 plus the premium in fourths, and divide the product by 90. 

U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND MEASURE. 

A township — 36 sections each a mile square. 
A Bed ion — 6 W aci i 

A quarter section, half a mile square — 160 acres. 
An eighth Bection, half a mile long, north and south, and a quarter 
of .! mile wide — 80 acres. 

A sixteenth Bection, u quarter of a mile square — 4o acn 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 177 

The sections are all numbered 1 to 36, commencing at the north-east 
lorner. 

The sections are divided into quarters, which are named by the 
ardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The etc- 
cription of a forty acre lot would read : The south half of the west half < f 
he south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, north (if range 7 west, 
t as the case might he; and sometimes will fall short and sometimes 
iverrun the number of acres it is supposed to contain. 

The nautical mile is 795 4-5 feet longer than the common mile. 

SURVEYORS' MEASURE. 

92-100 inches make 1 link, 

5 links k - 1 rod. 

rods " 1 chain. 

chains Ci 1 mile. 

Note. — A chain is 100 links, equal to 4 rods or 66 feet. 

Shoemakers formerly used a subdivision of the inch called a barley- 
orn ; three of which made an inch. 

Horses are measured directly over the fore feet, and the standard of 
leasure is four inches — called a hand. 

In Biblical and other old measurements, the term span is sometimes 
sed, which is a length of nine inches. 

The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length. 

The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length. 

A pace is equal to a yard or 36 inches. 

A fathom is equal to 6 feet. 

A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is strictly 
peaking a nautical term, and should be three geographical miles, equal 
o 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute miles are said 
3 be a league. 

In cloth measure an aune is equal to li yards, or 45 inches. 

An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.796 inches. 

A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches. 

A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches. 

HOW TO KEEP ACCOUNTS. 

Every farmer and mechanic, whether he does much or little business, 
tiould keep a record of his transactions in a clear and systematic mail- 
er. For the benefit of those who have not had the opportunity of ac- 
uiring a primary knowledge of the principles of book-keeping, we here 
resent a simple form of keeping accounts which is easily comprehended, 
nd well adapted to record the business transactions of farmers, mechanics 
nd laborers. 



178 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



1ST.-,. 



A. II. JACKSON. 



Dr. 



Cr. 



Jan. 


in 


To 


•• 


i; 


By 


Feb. 


i 


To 


•• 


i 


To 


Marcl 


8 


r.v 


.. 


8 




.. 


13 


r,v 


.. 


■:; 


To 


April 


9 


To 


M M 


ii 


r.v 


•• 


24 


To 


July 


1 





; bushels Wheat at I 

>\i< ieing span i .I' 1 1 

1 1 bushels l l ai - 

:> 11)>. Butter. 

new I Iain >w 

sharpening '.' Plows 

new Double-Tree 

Cow and Call 

half* ton <■: Haj 

Cash . ' -- ... 

repairing Corn-Planter 

mil- Sow with PigS _ - - . 

Cash, i" balance account 



18 
6 



SSS 



75 






50 



. 






I 



5 (tsg 



.Ml 



(Ml 
10 



I Ml 

?5 
15 
05 



is?.-.. 



CASSA MASON 



Dr. 



Cr. 



March 

»< 
May 


•.'! 

1 

1 

19 
26 

10 

89 
12 

]■! 

J 


By :; days 1 labor - - - . ... 

By 1 month's Labor. . . ._. 


.... at 3.00 
at .1.". 


L0 

2 

•J 


in 

00 

75 
70 


25 
12 

18 
9 






lays 1 M' iwing 


. : . at i 






To 60 lbs. Flour 






July 
Aug. 


To •.': lbs. Meal 

1 \y 6 daj b' 1 .aboT 


at | .Id 

at 

. at 1.60 


INI 


To < !aah -- 


•.'ii 


00 




Sept. 


To Cash to balance account .. 


18 


•>,, 












ft< : 






::. 



INTEREST TABLE. 



v a, .. p :.r COIIPI LT AXV OlVXX I Wtt AMI 

m i:. 

m n in til \ the print (pal amount of moneys! Interest) ' • > the Hm then divide this prodiu < 

l, y t '|„ I by <ll\ IdlngSoO (the number of days In the Interest year by the per cent, of Int 

BU( ]I quired Inter* 

ILLD8TB* Solution. 



lire tlu I merest of I ne month and eighteen • \ 

h Is 80 days: nua month anil eighteen da) genual 48 daj mltl- 

i.livlded in ii the |>er rent. ..r Inn n 
I | - :,i i Hi" i I 

npl"werol2 |»-r . •• nt . wr woulil dlvldflln - 

If i per '•■in . we would divide bj 
cent., iiy 15; and In iiIm' manm r f"r any other per cent 



.48 






MISCELLANEOUS TABLE. 

19 units or things, l 

1 i; .i rel ..( Cork < at) m 

3 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 179 



NAMES OF THE STATES OF THE UNION, AND THEIR SIGNIFICATIONS. 

Virginia. — The oldest of the States, was so called in honor of Queen 
Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made 
his first attempt to colonize that region. 

Florida. — Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida on Easter 
Sunday, and called the country in commemoration of the day, which was 
the Pasqua Florida of the Spaniards, or " Feast of Flowers." 

Louisiana was called after Louis the Fourteenth, who at one time 
owned that section of the country. 

Alabama was so named by the Indians, and signifies " Here we Rest." 

Mississippi is likewise an Indian name, meaning " Long River." 

Arkansas, from Kansas, the Indian word for " smoky water." Its 
prefix was really arc, the French word for " bow." 

The Carolina* were originally one tract, and were called "Carolana," 
after Charles the Ninth of France. 

G-eorgia owes its name to George the Second of England, who first 
established a colony there in 1T-52. 

Tennessee is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend,"' i. e., the 
Mississippi which forms its western boundary. 

Kentucky is the Indian name for " at the head of the river." 

Ohio means " beautiful ; " Ioica, " drowsy ones ; " Minnesota, " cloudy 
water," and Wisconsin, k> wild-rushing channel." 

Illinois is derived from the Indian word Mini, men, and the French 
suffix ois, together signifying "tribe of men." 

Michigan was called by the name given the lake, fish-weir, which Mas 
so styled from its fancied resemblance to a fish trap. 

Missouri is from the Indian word " muddy," which more properly 
applies to the river that flows through it. 

Oregon owes its Indian name also to its principal river. 

Cortes named California. 

Massachusetts is the Indian for " The country around the great hills." 

Connecticut, from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long 
River." 

Man/html, alter Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First, of 
England. 

New York was named by the Duke of York. 

Pennsylvania means " Penn's woods," and was so called after William 
Penn, its orignal owner. 



1M.» 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



Delaware after Lord De Lu Ware. 

.\ Jersey, bo called in honor of Sir George Carteret, who was 
Governor of the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel. 

Maine was called after the province of Maine in France, in compli- 
ment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province. 

Vermont^ from the French word Vert Mont, signifying Green 
Mountain. 

A" • Hampshire, from Hampshire county in England. It was 
formerly called Laconia. 

The little State of Rhode Island owes its name to the Island of 
Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly 
resemble. 

'/'■ , is La the American word for the Mexican name by which all that 

on of the country was called before it was ceded to the United States. 



POPULATION OF THE 
UNITED STATES. 



\ M> Tbbbitobibs. 



Alabama 

California 

Connecticut 

Delaw are 

Florida 

Georgia 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Malm- 

Mar\ land 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

1 1 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire. 
New Jersey 

rk . 

N'urtli Carolina . 

Ohio 

Oregon 

Penns) I van I a 

Rhode Island 

>.niili Carolina... 
Tenni — 



Vermont 

Virginia 

■ trlnla 

■ in 



To! ;il 

Population. 



587, 
125, 

1^7. 
184, 

191, 
864, 
321, 

157, 
184, 
139. 

721 

122, 

12, 

071, 

,521 

'J 17 

142 
,054 



Total - 



Arizona 

Colorada 



• f Columbia 



Montana 

\.-\\ Mexico 



<ton 

Wyoming 



Total Territories 

Total Cult, il St.it. -s « • - ,-i.98S 



I'ol'l'hA TloX OF FIFTY 
PRINCIPAL CITIES. 



Oil 

B 1 5 

•> i :. 

295 

191 
800 
096 

861 
260 

791 
520 

168 

ol I 




New York. \. V 

Philadelphia, Pa ... 

Brookl] n, N. V 

St. Louis, Mo 

Chicago, III 

Baltimore, Md 

Boston, Mass 

Cincinnati, Ohio.... 

■ 
San Francisco, < :ii. 
Buffalo, N. , i 
Washington, l>. C... 
Newai fc, N. J.. 

Louisville, Kv 

ind, Ohio... . 

Pittsburg, Pa 

Jersey City, N. J 

Detroit, Mich 

Milwaukee, 

Albany, N. Y 

Providence, K. i 

Rochesti r. N. 1 
Allegheny, Pa, 
Richmond, \ •< 
New Haven, Conn. 
Charleston, s. C... 
Indianapolis, ln<l. .. 

N N 

N Y 

Worcester, 
Lowell Maw 

Memphis, Tenn 

Cambridge. Mass. 

i .1. Conn 

Scranton, Pa 

rig, Pa 

• J 
Kansas City, Mo 

Mobile, \l;i' 

Toledo, Ohio 

Portland, Mi 

Columbus, Ohio 

Wilmington 

i 
i m rence, Mass 

N V 

ton cl M tai 

Lynn. Mass 

.. .. i. Mass . 



Aggregate 
Popu 



942.292 

-•71 022 

117.71 I 
109.199 

41.108 

I 

81.418 

I 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



181 



POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Area in 
States and square 
Territories. Miles. 



States. 

Alabama 

Arkansas 

California 

Connecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Georgia 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts... 

Michigan* 

M Innesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Hampshire. 

New Jersey 

New York 

North Carolina.. 

Ohio 

Oregon 



POPILA Til IN 



996,992 

484.4T1 

560.247 

537,454 

125.015 

187,748 

1,184.109 

2,539,891 

1,680,637 

1.191.792 

364,399 

1,321,011 

726,915 

626,915 

TS0.su t 

1,457.351 



.Miles 
B. B. 

1875. 1872 



1,350,544 

528,349 



857,039 



1.651,91: 



246,2: 
52,540 



Last Census of 



1.184.059 1,334,031 
439.706 596,489 
827,922 

1,721.295 
123,993 
42,491 
318.300 
906,096 
4.3S2.759 4,705.208 
1.071.361 
2,665.260 
90,923 
Michigan taken in 1874. 



1,026.502 



1,671 



,018 

82(1 



466 
,108 

,904 

.529 
.160 

,760 
,123 
539 
871 
820 
.606 
,235 
,612 
990 
,580 
S2S 
593 
790 
.265 
.470 
,190 
.740 
109 



States and 
Territories. 

States. 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina... 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Vermont 

Virginia 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Total States 

Territories. 

Arizona 

Colorado 

Dakota 

Dist. of Columbia. 

Idaho 

Montana 

New Mexico 

Utah 

Washington 

Wyoming 

Total Territories. 



Area in 
square 
Miles. 



46,000 
1,306 
29.385 
45,600 
237.504 
10,212 
40,904 
23,000 
53.924 



Population. 



1870. 



1,950,171 

113,916 

104,500 

147,490 

60 

90,932 

143.776 

121,201 

80.056 

69,944 

93,107 



965.032 



3,521.791 
217,353 
705,606 

1,258,520 
818.579 
330.551 

1,225,163 
442.014 

1,054.670 



38,113,253 



9,658 
39,864 
14.181 
131,700 
14,999 
20.595 
91.874 
86.786 
23.955 

9.118 



442.730 



258,239 
925,145 



1,2:56,729 



Miles 
B. R. 
1872. 



5.113 
136 

1.201 

1.520 
865 
675 

1,490 
485 

1.725 



59.587 



392 



375 

"498 
1.265 



Aggregate of U. S.. 2,915,203 38,555,983 I 60.852 

* Included in the Railroad Mileage of Maryland. 



PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD; 
Population and Area. 



Cl IOHTBIES. 



Population. 



Date of 
Census. 



Area in 
Square 
Miles. 



Inhabitants 
to Square 

Mile. 



Population. 



China 

British Empire 

Russia 

United States with Alaska 

France 

Austria and Hungary 

Japan 

Great Britain and Ireland 
German Empire 

Italy 

Spain 

Brazil 

Turkey 

Mexico 

Sweden and Norway 

Persia 

Belgium 

Bavaria 

Portugal 

Holland 

New Grenada 

Chili 

Switzerland 

Peru 

Bolivia 

Argentine Republic 

Wurtemburg 

Denmark 

Venezuela 

Baden 

Greece 

Guatemala 

Ecuador 

Paraguay 

Besse 

Liberia 

San Salvador 

Hayti 

Nicaragua 

Uruguay 

Honduras 

San Domingo 

Costa Rica 

Hawaii 



446.500. 000 

226.817.108 

81,925,4'KI 

38.925.600 

36.469.800 

35.904,400 

34,785,3(10 

31,817.1iio 

29.906.092 

27.439.921 

16.642.000 

10.000.000 

16.163.000 

9.173.000 

5,921.500 

5, 000. 1 Mil) 

5,021,300 

4.861,400 

3,995,200 

3,688.300 

3.000.000 

2,000.000 

2,669.100 

2,500.noo 

2,000.000 

1,812.0(10 

1.818.: 

1,784.700 

1,500.000 
1.461.400 
1,457.900 

1.180.000 

1,300.0011 

1,000,000 

B28.138 

718,1 

600,1 

572. 01 ii I 
350.000 
300.000 

350.000 

136.000 

165 000 

62.950 



1871 
1871 
1871 
1870 
1866 
1869 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1867 



1869 
1870 
1870 
i860 
1871 
1S6S 
18711 

1870 
1869 
1870 
1871 



1869 
1871 
1870 


1871 
1870 
1871 


18' 


1 


18' 
18' 


■1 
•1 



1871 
1871 
1871 



1870 



3,741.846 

4.677.432 

8.003.778 

2,603.884 

20 1.091 

240.348 

149.399 

121.315 

160,207 

118,847 

195,775 

3.253.029 

672.621 

761,526 

292.871 

635,964 

11.373 

29.292 

34.494 

12.680 

357,157 

132.616 

15.992 

471.838 

497,321 

871,848 

7.533 

14.753 

368.238 

5,912 

19,353 

40,879 

218.928 

63,78. 

2,969 

9,576 

7,335 

10,205 

58.171 

66.722 

17.092 

17,827 

81.505 

7.633 



119.3 

48.6 

10.2 

7-78 

178.7 

149.4 

232.8 

262.3 

187. 

230.9 

85. 

3.07 
24.4 

' 20.' 

7.8 

441.5 

165.9 

115.8 

290.9 

8.4 

15.1 

166.9 

5.3 

4. 

2.1 

241.4 

120.9 

4.2 

247. 

75.3 

28.9 

5.9 

15.6 

277. 

74.9 

81.8 

56. 

6. 

6.5 

7.4 

7.6 

8(V ' 



Pekin 

London 

St. Petersburg., 

Washington 

Paris 

Vienna 

leddo 

London , 

Perl in 

Rome 

Madrid 

Bio Janeiro 

Constantinople 

Mexico 

Stockholm 

Teheran 

Brussels 

Munich 

Lisbon 

Hague 

Bogota 

Santiago 

Berne 

Lima 

Chuquisaca 

Buenos Ay res.. 

Stuttgart 

Copenhagen — 

Caraccas 

Cai lsruhe 

Athens 

Guatemala 

Quito 

Asuncion 

Darmstadt 

Monrovia 

Sal Salvador . . . 
Port an Prince 

Managua 

Monte Video. . . 

Comayagua 

sau Domingo. . . 

San .lose 

Honolulu 



1,648.800 

3,251.800 

667.000 

109.199 

1.825.3(10 

833. 91 II i 

1.554.900 

3,251.8(1(1 

825.400 

2-4 1.-18 1 

332,(10(1 

420,(1(1(1 

1,075.000 

210.300 

136,900 

120,000 

814,100 

169.500 

224.063 

90,100 

45,000 

115,400 

36.000 

160,100 

25.000 

177.800 

91.600 

162.042 

47.11(10 

36.600 

43,400 

40,000 

70,000 

48.(100 

30.(1(10 

3.000 

15,000 

20.000 

10,000 

44 500 

12.000 

20.000 

2.000 

7.633 



L82 



MISCELLANEOUS IN FORMATION 



POPULATION OF ILLINOIS, 
By Cquh i'h.-. 



COUNTIES 



Adams . 

Alexander. . 

Bond 

Boone 

Brown . 

Bureau 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Champaign. 
Christian .. 

Clark 

Clay 

Clinton . 

Coles 

Cook 



Crawford 

Cumberland . 

I)e Kalb 

De Witt 

Douglas 

ige 

Edgar . - 

Edwards 
Effingham. _ . 

Fayette 

Ford 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Gallatin 

i rreene 

( irrundy 

Hamilton 

II an cock 

Hardin 

Henderson .. 

I Irnty 

Iroquois 

Jackson 

Jasper 

[enerson ._.. 

v 

L> Daviess. 
Johnson 

Kane 

Kankakee. . 
Kendall 

Knox 

Lake 

ille 

Lawrence... 

I. 

Livin. 
Logan 



.\'...i;koatk. 



1870. I8(i(>. I860. is jo. is::o. 1840 



56362 
10564 
I3I52 

12942 

12205 

32415 

6562 

16705 

11580 

32737 
20363 
187] l 

15875 
16285 

25235 
349966 

13SS9 
12223 
23265 
14768 
13484 
16685 
21450 

15653 

19638 

9103 

38291 
11134 
2027 
14938 
13014 
35935 
5 1 1 3 

355o6 
25782 
19634 
11234 
17S64 
15054 

1124S 
39091 

1239" 
2101 i 

12533 

271 71 

3147' 
23053 



41323 
4707 

9815 

II67S 
9938 

26426 

5144 

"733 
11325 

I 4' '2' 1 

10492 
149S7 
9336 
1094 1 
14203 
M4954 

11551 

83U 
19086 
10820 

7140 
14701 
16925 

: 15 ! 
7816 

1 I 1 -■) 
1979 
9393 

33338 
805 

10379 

99'5 
29061 

3759 

950i 

20661 ■ 

9589 
8364 

30063 
1 5412 
13074 

17651 

14272 



26508 
24S4 
6144 
7624 
7198 
8841 
3231 

7253 
2649 
3203 
9532 
4289 

5139 
9335 

43385 

7L35 
37iS 
7540 
5002 



9290 
r.0692 

3524 
3799 
8075 



56S1 
22508 

12429 

3023 
6362 
14652 
2S87 
4612 
3807 
4X49 

3220 
8109 

■ 

41 14 

16703 



7730|- 

[7815 

tii*i 

1553 
5128J 



M476 
3313 
5060 
1705 
4183 
3067 

I74i 
1023 
2981 

M75 

1878 

7453 
3228 
3718 
9616 
1 020 1 

4422 



1697 

3247 



3535 
8225 
3070 
1675 
632S 



3682 
13142 
10760 
11 151 



■ 



1 24 1 • 
1695 
3566 

1 r- 

4535 
6180 
3626 
6501 



7060 

759 
2333 



?i36 
1390 
3124 



1090 



3940 

755 
2330 



3"7 



407J 

1649 



2704 



4083 
1841 

74"- 
7674 



2616 



41 



1828 



2555 



21 1 1 
1596 



274 



3668 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



183 



POPULATION OF ILLINOIS— Concluded. 



COUNTIES. 



Macon 

Macoupin.. 

Madison 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mason 

Massac 

v McDonough. 
McHenry . . 

McLean 

Menard 

Mercer 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Morgan 

Moultrie 

Ogle. 

Peoria 

Perry 

Piatt 

Pike 

Pope 

Pulaski 

Putnam 

Randolph 

Richland ... 
Rock Island 

Saline 

Sangamon . . 

Schuyler 

Scott 

Shelbv 

Stark'. 

St. Clair 

Stephenson.. 

Tazewell 

Union 

Vermilion . . 
Wabash .... 

Warren 

Washington 

Wayne 

White 

Whitesides . 

Will 

Williamson . 
Winnebago . 
Woodford.. 

Total. . 



AIJIHIKKATE. 



1870. 1860. 1850. 1840. 1830. 1820 



26481 
32726 

44I3I 
20622 
16950 
16184 
9581 
26509 
23762 
53938 
H735 
18769 

12982 

25314 
2S463 

IO385 
27492 
47540 
13723 
10953 
30708 

"437 

8752 

6280 

20S59 

12803 

29783 
12714 
46352 
17419 
10530 
25476 
10751 

51068 
30608 
27903 
16518 
30388 
8841 
23174 
17599 
19758 
16846 

27503 
43013 
17329 
29301 
18956 



2539891 



13738 
24602 
31251 
12739 
13437 
10931 

6213 
20069 
22089 
2S772 

9584 
15042 

12832 

13979 
22112 

6385 
22S88 
36601 

9552 

6127 
27249 

6742 

3943 

5587 
17205 

9711 
21005 

9331 
32274 
146S4 

9069 
14613 

9004 

37694 
25112 
21470 
11181 
19800 
7313 
18336 
I373I 
12223 
12403 

18737 
29321 
12205 
24491 
13282 



1711951 



3988 

12355 

20441 

6720 

5180 

5921 

4092 

7616 

14978 

10163 

6349 
5246 

7679 

6277 

16064 

3234 
10020 

17547 
5278 
1606 

18819 

3975 
2265 

39-4 

1 1079 

4012 

6937 

5588 

19228 

10573 

79M 

7807 

37io 

20180 
1 1666 
12052 

7615 

1 1492 

4690 

8176 

6953 
6825 
8925 
536i 

16703 
7216 

U773 
4415 



S51470 



3039 
7926 
14433 
4742 
1849 



53o8 
2578 
6565 
4431 
2352 

4481 

4490 

19547 



3479 
6i53 
3222 



11728 
4094 



2131 
7944 



2610 



14716 
6972 
6215 
6659 

1573 

13631 
2800 
7221 
5524 
9303 
4240 

6739 
4810 

5133 

7919 

2514 

10167 

4457 
4609 



4761S3 



1122 
1990 
6221 
2125 



(*) 



26 

2000 

2953 

12714 



1215 



2396 

3316 



<-i3io 
4429 



12960 
^2959 



2972 



7078 



4716 

3239 
5836 
2710 
308 
1675 
2553 
6091 



1574-15 



i355o 



*2I 
I5l6 



26lO 



3492 



5248 



2362 



1517 
III4 

4828 



*49 
55162 



184 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



STATE LAWS 
Relating t<» Bates of Interest and Penalties f<ir Usuby. 



State* and Territories. 



Rata al- 

k.itc of 1 wed by 
Interest. Contract. 



Alabama 

Arizona 

Arkansas 

California 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Dakota 

Delaware 

t of Columbia . 

Florida 

Georgia 

Malm 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine • 

Maryland 

ichusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

sippi 

Missouri , 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevad i 

I [ampshire 

New Jersey 

Mexico 

N>w York 

North Carolina 

Ohio 

I io, Canada 

n 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec, Canada 

Rhode Island 

South Carolin i 

Tennessee 



Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

ington I erritory 

Virginia 

Wisconsin 

tin^ 



.. 



per cent 


per cent. 


8 


8 


IO 


Any rate. 


6 


IO 


IO 


Anv rate 


IO 


Any rate 


7 


7 


7 


12 


6 


6 


6 


IO 


8 


Any rate 


7 


12 


IO 


24 


6 


8 


6 


IO 


6 


IO 


8 


12 


6 


8 


5 


8 


6 


Any rate 


6 


6 


6 


Any rate 


7 


IO 


7 


12 


6 


IO 


6 


IO 


IO 


Any rate 


IO 


12 


IO 


Any rate 


6 


6 


7 


7 


6 


Any rate 


7 


7 


6 


8 


6 


8 


6 


Any rate 


IO 


12 


6 


Any rate 


6 


Any rate 


6 


Any rate 


7 


Any rate 


6 


IO 


8 


12 


IO 


Any rate 


6 


6 


6 


6* 


IO 


Any rate 


6 


6* 


7 


IO 


•- 


Any rate. 



Penalties for Usury. 



Forfeiture of entire interest. 
Forfeiture of principal and interest. 



Forfeiture of excess of interest. 
Forfeiture of entire interest. 
Forfeiture of principal. 
Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Fine and imprisonment. 

Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of excess of interest 

Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of ex. of in. above 12 per cent. 

Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of excess of interest 

Forfeiture of ex. of in. above 7 per cent. 
No Usury Law in this State. 
Forfeiture of excess of interest. 
Forfeiture of entire interest- 
Forfeiture of .entire interest. 

Forfeiture of thrice the excess and costs. 
Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of contract. 
Forfeiture of entire interest. 
Forfeiture of excess above 6 pet cent. 



Forfeiture of excess of interest. 
Forfeiture of excess of interest. 

Forfeiture of excess of interest. 
Forfeiture of entire interest. 

Forfeiture of excess of interes" 
Forfeiture of entire interest 



• Except in cases defined 1 \ 'he State. 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



185 



STATE LAWS 

Relating to Limitations of Actions : Showing Limit of Time in which 
Action may be Brought on the following : 



Statbs and Tbreitories. 



Assault 

slander, 

&c. 



Alabama 

A rkansas 

California, 

Colorado 

Connecticut 

Dakota 

Delaware 

District or Columbia 

Florida 

Georgia 

Idaho 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maine 

Maryland 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

Mississippi 

Missouri.. . 

Montana 

Nebraska 

Nevada. 

New H ampshire 

New Jersey 

New Mexico 

New York ~ 

North Carolina 

Ohio 

Ontario (U. Canada) 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania 

Quebec (L. Canada) 

Rhode Island 

South Carolina 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington Territory 

West Virginia 

Wisconsin 

Wyoming 



Years. 
I 
I 
I 

I 

3 

2 
I 
I 

2 

I 
2 



Open 




Judg- 


Acctfl. 




ments. 


Years. 


Years. 


Years. 


3 


6 


20 


3 


5 


IO 


2 


4 


5 


6 


6 


3 


6 


6 


20 


6 


6 


20 


3 


6 


20 


3 


3 


12 


4 


5 


20 


4 


6 


7 


2 


4 


5 


5 


IO 


20 


6 


20 


2o 


5 


IO 


20 


3 


5 


5 


2 


15 


15 


3 


5 


10 


6 


20 


20 


3 


3 


12 


6 


20 


20 


6 


6 


6 


6 


6 


10 


3 


6 


7 


5 


10 


20 


5 


10 


10 


4 


5 


5 


2 


4 


5 


6 


6 


20 


6 


6 


20 


6 


10 


10 


6 


6 


20 


3 


3 


10 


6 


15 


15 


6 


6 


20 


6 


6 


IO 


6 


6 


20 


5 


5 


30 


6 


6 


20 


6 


6 


20 


6 


6 


IO 


2 


4 


IO 


2 


4 


5 


6 


4 


8 


5 


5 


10 


3 


6 


6 


5 


10 


10 


6 


6 


20 


6 


15 


15 



Sealed and 
witnessed 
Instru- 
ments. 



Years. 
IO 
IO 

5 

3 
17 
20 
20 
12 
20 
20 

5 

10 
20 

IO 

15 
15 

20 
20 

12 
20 
IO 

6 

7 

10 
10 

IO 

4 
20 
16 

IO 

20 

IO 

15 

20 
20 
20 

30 

20 
20 

6 

5 

7 

8 
20 

6 
10 
20 
IS 



PRODUCTIONS OF AGRICULTURE. STATE OF ILLINOIS. BY COUNTIES.- 1870. 



X>l ITTLE8. 



Adaun 

ler 

ll.ilici 



Brown 



I .ill,, .in, 

c.irroll 

Champaign 

in 

Clark 



Clinton 

< 

I 

Crawford 

i tini 

I) 



I ' is 





Edward 

Effingham , 

i 



Kiauklln 

Kulti.n 

Gallatin 

G 

Ortmdy 

H ••! 

Hancock 

Hardin 

H "ii 

it 

. 

, 



in 

ess ... . 

Inhn-oii ....... 



Kankaki 

I 

Kiiiiv 





i.:iw rem 







Macoupin 



Marlon 

ill 





McDonough 

MoHelll 



I 



Montgom 

Moultrli 







i 





Randolph 

Richland 

Saline . 

• r 

B 

- 

Stephen - 

i 
Vermllloi 

i 



• 

« 

■ 



luipi uved 



• 



- 
141.228 

m.i r, 

240.120 
164. 

1 14.221 



Numbei 



other n ii - 

impi "\ ed 

Nil in her. 



112.:,7 

16 i B9 
E«68 

17,248 

67.02a 

81.072 

18,11 i 

17.894 

- 






1.913 

it. a. -it 

- 

4,076 
1 1,248 

1.1 12 
1 :{. 1 1 2 






Bushels. 



Winter 

- 



Rye. 



Indian 

Corn. 












700 

11-. 078 
12.165 









81,700 

18 

161,112 

462.879 

57,160 






It, SHI I 

120.206 
160 

101,790 
211.801 



17.128 






16 












- 

123.091 

195 11- 

11.695 

247.860 
122.703 
195.716 

1.008 
111.324 

1 1 
10, 180 

1.249 

196.613 
173.651! 

■ 



2, i i § 

- 



10.722 

- 

1.619 

15,49 

I 1.798 
81.018 

II 540 

ii.:.r: 

131.711 
512 
4 It 

11 672 
9.16! 

5 16 

1.121 
26.16 

I*4.5K 



- 

:«:.:t,y 

-- 

1.712,901 
611.951 
519.121 

3.077.02r 

8,21 I 168 
1.145.00! 





2 S1H.02; 






















' 






1.181.458 








1.237.406 




2,lo4.1S5 



110.793 




t^ /Td^^rUt/ 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 



BY REV. It. D. MILLER. 



Long ages ago, the worst curse that a good man could wish to befall an 
enemy was that he were compelled to "write a book," for good old Job cried 
out in anguish "0, that mine enemy would write a book;" and surely this 
should be enough to gratify the enmity of a much worse man than he of Uz, 
especially if the book written was to be one giving a detailed history of the 
early settlement of a central county in Illinois sixty years after the beginning 
of that settlement. 

Immediately after the close of the war of 1812, or, at least, as soon as the 
news of peace was confirmed through the country, the mass of the people were 
siezed with a mania for Western emigration, and, although the sagacious editor 
of New York had not at that time given the advice to young men to go West, 
yet thousands of both young and old were seized with the fever, and, as a 
result, the Western Territories began to fill very rapidly from the older settled 
portions of the country. 

During almost the whole of the eighteenth century, the name Illinois was 
applied to all the known region lying west and north of Ohio. As early as 
1673, French colonists established themselves at Kaskaskia and Cahokia. Just 
one hundred years from the establishment of these colonies, the territory of 
which they were the nucleus, in conjunction with Canada, was ceded to Great 
Britain. This was again transferred to the United States in 1787. In the same 
year that this territory was acquired, Congress passed an ordinance that the 
territory lying north and west of the Ohio River was to be divided into not less 
than three, nor more than five, States. Congress also divided the region named 
into Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. When we remember that this legislation waa 
less than ninety-five years ago, we may smile at the short-sightedness of our 
statesmen, especially when we reflect that the territory was bounded on the norrli 
by the British Possessions. 

So rapidly did this Northwestern country fill up, that, in 1810, the Illinois 
Territory, which then included a part of Wisconsin and Minnesota, contained 
a population of 12,282. Michigan had been formed into a separate Territory 
in 1805, and Indiana in 1809. The reader is, perhaps, acquainted with the 



190 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

hi-tory of the controversy with Wisconsin concerning the northern boundary 
if Illinois. If the people of d are correct in their view- of the iuat- 

fchen Illin<»i- has n<> northern limit Bsve that first given to the Territory, 
and her area still extends ■ ritish Possessions in Canada. 

Dlinoie, like n Territories, was at first divided into count i 

•TV large areas, in fact, tin- entire State was once " Illinois County :'" but 

;i> the country became more thickly settled, these counties were subdivided, and 

many portions re-divided the third or fourth time. Illustrative of this met, it 

may that at the time of the admission of Illinois into the Union, it 

comprised only fifteen counties. As the settlement of thi 9 began in the 

hern portion and gradually extended northward, it is not at all Burpr - g 

that in more than one case it would have been impossible to find the northern 

boundary of the county unless it were considered as extending to the n 

line of the State. As an illustration of this subdivision of counties, it may 

; that the city of Chicago, or at least the land on which the city no* 

Btands, was once in Fulton County: whereas, the nearest point of Fulton 

County to the city of Chi< now 150 miles on an air line. A further 

illustration of this fact may be briefly given. If the reader will turn to the 

map of Illinois, he will observe that Crawford County is the eighth county 

SOUth on the State line from Chicago. This county at first included Chi( 

When chirk was formed, it embraced Chicago; and when Edgar was cut off of 
Clark, the "jnreat city" was in it: and then when Vermilion was cut off of 
Bdgar, Chicago fell into it ; SO that a great many counties in Illinois can b 

• least at one time including Chicago. 

In consideration of the fact that Menard < lounty was stricken off from Sanga- 
mon, it becomes necessary to give a brief outline of the latter. The reader, 
having perused the history of the Northwest, as given in a former part of this 
volume, will remember that portions of Illinois were settled even before 
• of the last century. Prior to the formation of the county of Sangam 
by act of the Legislature, approved January 80, 1821, the territory of which 

rmed was included in the counties of Bond and Madison. Sangai 
County, when first formed, included all of what is now Logan, Tasewell, 
Mason, Menard. Cass and parts of Morgan, McLean. Marshall, Woodford, 
Putnam and Christian. The boundary remained thus till the year l v _'l. when 
the Legislature reduced its limits: it still, however, extended to the Hi. 
I; .-rand included all of Menard and parts of Christian, Logan ami Mae 
The boundarii in County remained unchanged till the year IE 

when the Legislature again subdivided it. cutting off Menard. Logan and 
Christian. The name Dane was first given to the latter, but, after a few y. 
it was changed to ' 'hristian. 

\ • •'. lest n of the Legislature in 188$ Menard County was stricken 

off from Sangamon, and named in honor of Col. Pierre Menard. ■ Prenchn 
who settled at Kaskaskia in L790. Menard was bo popular in his day, witi 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 191 

people of Illinois, that when the Convention framed the Constitution of the 
State, a clause was included in the schedule to the Constitution providing that 
" any citizen of the United States, who had resided in the State for two years, 
might be eligible to the office of Lieutenant Governor." This was done in 
order that Col. Menard, who had only been naturalized a year or two at the 
time, might be made Lieutenant Governor under Shadrach Bond, first Gover- 
nor of Illinois, after its formation into a State. 

As Menard County was named after this popular Frenchman, it may In- 
interesting to the reader to give a brief account of his life. Pierre Menard was 
born in Quebec in the year 1707. He remained in his native city till in his 
nineteenth year, when his native spirit of adventure led him to seek his fortunes 
in the Territories watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries. He was, there- 
fore, soon found in the town of Vincennes, on the Wabash River, in the employ 
of a merchant, one Col. Vigo. In the year 1790, he formed a partnership 
with one Du Bois, a merchant of Vincennes, and they removed their stock to 
Kaskaskia, in Illinois. Menard, though possessed of but a limited education, 
was a man of quick perception and of almost unerring judgment. He was candid 
and honest, full of energy and industry, and these qualities soon marked him 
as a leader among the scattered population of his adopted home. For a number 
of years, he was Government Agent for the Indians, and his candor and integ- 
rity soon won for him the esteem and friendship of the Indian tribes. This 
fact secured him great advantage as a merchant, as he could buy their peltries 
for half that they could be purchased by the " Longknives." He was a mem- 
ber of the Lower House of the Legislature while Illinois was under the Indi- 
ana regime, and, from 1812 to 1818, he was a member of the Illinois Legisla- 
tive Council, being the President of that body. He was Lieutenant Governor 
from 1818 to 1822, and after that he declined to accept further honors at the 
hands of the people. He acquired a considerable fortune, but much of it was 
lost through his liberality in going security for his friends. He died at the 
good old age of seventy-seven years, in Tazewell County. Such was the man 
for whom the county of Menard was named. 

The boundaries of the county of Menard are as follows : Beginning afc the 
southeast corner of Section 22, Township 17, Range 8 west of the Third 
Principal Meridian : thence east to the southeast corner of Section 21, Town- 
ship 17, Range 6 west of the Third Principal Meridian ; thence north to the 
southwest corner of Section 15, Township 17, Range 6 west of the Third 
Principal Meridian ; thence east to the southeast quarter of Section 18, Town- 
ship 17, Range 5 west of the Third Principal Meridian ; thence north one-half 
mile ; thence east one-quarter of a mile ; thence north one-half mile ; thence 
east one-quarter of a mile ; thence north one and one-half miles ; thence east to 
the southeast corner of Section 30, Township 18, Range 4 west of the Third 
Principal Meridian ; thence north to the northeast corner of Lot 19, Township 
19, Range 4 west of the Third Principal Meridian ; thence west to the southeast 



192 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY 

corner of Section 18, Township 19, Range 5 west of the Third Prin 
Meridian : thence north to Salt Creek ; thence with said creek t<> the north- 
cast corner of Section 7. Township 19, Range 6, where said creek unites with 
the Sangamon Hirer; thence with the river to the southwest corner of Section 
1 ". Township L9, Range 8; thence south to the place of beginning. The 
county contain- an aggregate of 1.97,975 acres. The Sangamon River is 
estimated to occupy an area of 700 acres within the limits of tie- county. Tin- 
will have the entire area within the limits of the given boundary. 198,1 

The Sangamon River Hows through the county from south to north, dividing 
it into almost equal parts. A oumbei of small streams flowing into the 

Sangamon River and Salt Creek afford an abundance of pure, fresh water for 

every purpose. The surface of the county is gently undulating, in the main, 

thotndi for a mile or two back from the river it is somewhat broken. The [greater 
© © 

portion of the land, in its native state, was prairie, covered with a rank and 
luxuriant coat of grass, and interspersed with a countless variety of wild 
flowers. 

Groves and bodies of timber an- interspersed all over its entire an 
ample abundance f>r all purposes of manufacture and agriculture. Along the 

Sangamon River, for a distance of a mile and a half, on either Bide, the: 
heavy timber; while on Rock < 'reek and Indian ('reek, arc considerable b 
also. In the eastern part of the county arc Irish Grove, Bee Grove and 
Sugtr Grove, each large bodies of good timber. < >n the west side of the river 
are Little Grove and (Mary's Grove, which are also good timber. The principal 
kind- of timber are black, spotted, burr, white and pin oak- : elm. ash. walnut. 
i white ami black), hard ami -oft maple, sycamore, linden or basswood, hickory 

'white and shell-bark i. Cottonwood, black and honey locuat, pecan, cherry and 

mulberry. 

LGRICl LTURE. 

The soil is adapted to agricultural pur-nits in a very remarkable deg 

Not "lily in the bottom and tablelands is the black loam deep and rich, but the 

upland- are also equally productive. Of the 310.4 square miles, or 198,67 
- of land in the county, there were, in 1878, 168,282 acres n cultivation. 
n-t 184,178 acres in 1870. Of this, 63, 286 acres were in corn, yielding 
1,875,096 bushels. The same year. 187 8, there were 8,987 acres in winter 
wheat, yielding 125,149 bushels; 891 acres in spring wheat, yielding '>.-ii 
bushels; B,352 act-- m oats, producing 268, *5*>» » bushels; 10,168 acres in tim- 
othy meadow, yielding 14,542 tons of hay ; 808 a Irish potatoes, pro- 
ducing 15,620 bushels: 1,469 acres in apple orchards, yielding 56,157 bushels 
.it' appb-. The acreage of grain raised in l v T v was not as large ae usual, from 

the fact of the extreme wet weather m the early part of the season, preventing 

the cultivation of large amount of the tlat and low bottom-land. Reside this, 

winter wheal ha- been such an uncertain crop for some years past, that little 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 193 

attention has been paid to it ; but the yield per acre of what was sowed last 
year being so fine that the acreage the present year is almost double that of 
1878, and the quality and yield are both much better. There are a variety of 
crops raised beside those named above, but those given are the most important. 

The county is well supplied with the various kinds of stock, and for many 
years great pains have been taken to improve the quality by securing the best 
imported breeds. For a number of years, there was great profit in feeding 
cattle and hogs for the Eastern markets, and many of the cattle raised on the 
rich pasture-lands of ' 4 Little Menard*' were shipped to European ports, and 
proved to be as rich and savory as the boasted beeves of the Old World. For a 
few years past, however, farmers have found but little profit in this department 
of labor, and raising cattle and hogs as a business is falling into desuetude. 
The price of pasture and the cost of raising corn, together with the Western 
competition in prices, render the cattle business very uncertain and dangerous, 
while the prevalence of hog-cholera for several years past, renders the business 
of hog-raising so dangerous that but little attention is given to it. In 1878, 
there were 5,961 head of cattle fatted in the county, the aggregate gross weight 
of which was 2,104,900 pounds. There were 1,089 milk-cows kept, from which 
was sold, beside the home consumption, 43,890 pounds of butter, 225 pounds of 
cheese, 15 gallons of cream and 2,300 gallons of milk. The same year, 18,902 
hogs were fatted, the gross weight of which was 4,664,546 pounds ; besides 
these, there were 22,495 hogs, big and little, died with cholera during the same 
year, the aggregate weight of which was 1,514,421 pounds. The sheep of the 
county yielded, in 1878, 19,689 pounds of wool. Of the horses, mules and 
asses in the county, we have no statistics later than 1870 that are reliable. 
There were then 6,840 horses and 921 mules and asses. Since that time, 
there has been, doubtless, an increase of 15 or 20 per cent. For the last five 
or six years, the attention of farmers has been turned largely to the improve- 
ment of the breed of horses. For this purpose, large sums have been expended 
in importing, from various portions of Europe, studs of the finest horses. The 
most popular breeds are, perhaps, the Norman and Clydesdale. In this short 
time, a marked improvement is observable in the stock all over the county. 

The total valuation of farm lands, at the last census, was $7,944,895. The 
total farm products were estimated to be worth $2,237,505, and the live stock 
was valued at $1,617,389. This gives a total of $11,899,809 as the valua- 
tion of real estate, farm products and live stock, leaving out, however, a num- 
ber of minor matters that would aggregate no inconsiderable amount. This is 
distributed among a population of not more than 13,000 or 14,000 (only 
11,735 in 1870), of whom only 8 were colored. The reader will bear in mind 
that, instead of the above estimates being exaggerated, those which were 
not taken from absolute official statistics taken in 1878, were taken from the 
census of 1870 ; hence the facts will fall considerably below the above figure-. 
From 1860 to 1870, the increase of population in the county was about 23 per 



194 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

: but for the last decade it will fall very far below this, as tin- emigration 
to Kansas and other parts of the Wes1 will equal, if not • 'he immigra- 

tion into the county, bo that the population as given above may be too great- 

Although this county but a small area of territory, yet there 

county in the State poe _ finer natural advantages. As before intimated, 

pure, fresh, living water for man and beast, ami for purposes of irrigatioi 
distributed in every part of the county; while the Sangamon River and Sap 
Creek afford abundance of water for driving manufacturing machinery, either 
by ateam or by water power. 

[nexhaustible deposits of bituminous coal of the beet quality, underlie the 

entire area, ami at such a depth that it can be mined at a trifling cost. This coal 

i- deposited in three layer-, or Btrata, that have been worked, ami Prof. Wort) 
the State Geologist, -ays that the Btrata in this part of Illinois will all together 
make at Least twenty-five feet in thickness. A tolerably correct idea of <>ur 
wealth in this direction may be gained when we remember that miner- estimate 

that in every foot of the vein in thickness, there are twenty million bushels, 
or one million ton- to the Bquare mile. Now. to say nothing of the twenty-five 
f.et of Btrata of which Prof. Worthen -peaks, let the reader contemplate the 

wealth that is hidden in the vein that i- m.w being worked. This layer aver- 

over six feet in thickness; but. for safety, we will estimate it at six I 
This gives as 120,000,000 bushels, or 480,000 tons to each square mile of area. 

This, of it-elf, !- a Bource of inexhaustible wealth. A writer in the I 
don Quarterly Review said, not long since, that no people can succeed in the 
arts of Christian civilization without a supply of coal : and as it i- essenti i 
many classes of manufacture, and to the navigation of the ocean, and conse- 
quently to the commerce of the world, the statement doe- not appear I 
extravagant. The same writer -ays that the paddle-wheels of European enter- 
prise are constantly stirring up the dark water- of superstition in the East, and 

Christian steamer that navigates those water- goes a- a herald of Chris- 
tian civilization and advancement; and that coal is thus becoming a grand and 

t in the enlightenment of the world. Such were the stores 
coal deposited in the bowels of England, ami her supply so inexhaustible — as 
supposed — that the expression, "carrying coals t<> Newcastle" has long been 
the manner of expressing the inexhaustibleneas of the deposit. But pn 

indication- bid fair f»r it to become literally true, and also that the " 

carried to Newcastle" shall be from America. Thus we Bee that in r< 

this source of wealth, this little county is behind none of her oeighbors. Some 

iit coal mine- are being operated successfully in the county : the 
• of them, in fact, nearly all. arc in the immediate vicinity of the tOWl 
I '• tersburg. In addition to the fact that we thus keep the price of tin- article 

at home, it also affords employment for a large number of laborers, ami in the 
e proportion, it furnishes market of our produce. The coal interests are just 
beginning to be developed here ; but the time is not far in the future when 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 195 

will be an important branch of industry here. The first regular coal-shaft un- 
opened by Elijah Taylor, in the southeast part of town, in the fall of 1 865. Since 
that time, the several shafts near town, and that of Tallula have been opened. 

Stone is not as plentiful in the county as could be desired, yet there are some 
quarries that, when fully opened, will be of great value. A large field on 
Rock Creek is underlaid with a fine strata of limestone, lying near the surface 
in many places, and is finely adapted to building purposes. These quaint- 
have never been properly opened, though great quantities of stone have been 
taken out along the hillsides where the ledge crops out ; but the time is not far 
in the future when they will be properly opened. Limestone is also found on 
the Sangamon River at Old Salem, and also at Petersburg. Near the east end 
of the highway bridge over the river at Petersburg, is a stratum of sandstone, 
though it is not yet known whether it is of a good quality, or of sufficient 
quantity to pay for working. Some have used this sandstone for foundations 
and cellar-walls, but some have fears that it will not resist the weight of the 
walls and the influence of the frost. There is rock in small quantities in other 
localities, but these named are the most important and promising. 

Taking all the natural advantages of this county into account, no locality 
possesses more or better facilities for manufacturing enterprise. Here is the 
timber, the stone, the coal, the water, and, as Mr. Hardin Bale has recently 
demonstrated, we have also a quality of clay for the manufacture of drain-tile 
that is equal to the best in the State, or elsewhere. Brick of an excellent 
quality are also made here in abundance. Taking all these facts together, it 
is strange that these advantages have not been utilized before the present time. 
The vast amount of agricultural implements purchased every year by our 
citizens, takes out vast sums of money, for which we have but little return 
made. The plows, reapers, planters, threshers, wagons, buggies, etc., that are 
annually purchased, cost a vast sum. If our advantages were utilized, not only 
would all this money be kept in our midst, but other great advantages would accrue 
to us. A market would be created here at home for our surplus timber, which 
is now rotting in vast quantities all over the county ; a demand would be made 
for greater quantities of coal, and this would employ a great number of laborers ; 
the erection of these factories would create a demand for stone and brick, and 
sand, and lime ; then all these, so well as the timber to manufacture, must be 
delivered on the ground, thus giving employment to a great number of men 
and teams ; and last, but not least, this would call together great numbers of 
laborers and mechanics, who, bringing their families with them, would improve 
our towns, and create a market at home for all the products the soil produced 
by our farmers. Surely our people will not remain blind to this important 
matter many years longer. 

The raising and fatting of cattle and hogs having ceased to bring remuner- 
ation to the agriculturists, they must look in some other direction for a reward 
for their toils. 



19G BISTORT OF MENARD COUNTY. 

The county is intereected by two railroads, the Jacksonville branch of the 
Chicago -v Alton Railroad, and the Springfield & North-Western Railroad. A 
detailed account of the erection of these roade will be given as we advance in 
the history of the county, as giving facts in their proper chronological order 
will enable the reader to understand and retain them to a much better advanl 

II wing thus hastily glanced at the resources and advantages of the countv. 

re Hon prepared to enter into the history of the 

i \i;n -i.i 1 1. i:\ii 

Considerable settlements wen- made in other parts of old Sangamon County 
before any were made in the limits <>f what is dow Menard. The reader will 
bear in mind that this county had n<> existence till L839, hence the hist'.: 
the early settlement and development of the county is connected with the 
i v of Sangamon. 

Although the white man had frequently visited the ••Sangamon country." 
wa- railed, and had traveled OVOT the heautiful prairies, and explored the 

deep w Is of this locality, yel we have no evidence that any one ever Bettled 

in the area of the county prior to April. L819. The first settler, according 
the besl evidence we have, was Mr. John Clary, who came with his family at 
the date just named. Be settled in a grove in the southwestern part of the 

county, mar the presenl site of the rillage of Tallula. This grove was 

after known by the name of its first settler, and i< to-day noticed on the maps 
and known tar and near a> Clary's Grove. Mr. Clary settled on the south- 
west quarter of Section 82, Town 18, Range 7, the land being now owned by 

Mr. Clary built what was known to the pioneer settle] 
a "• three-faced camp. ' that is, he erected three walls, leaving one entire side 

open. These walls were built about seven feet high, when poles were laid a< 

at a distance of about three feet apart, and OB these a roof of clapboard- 
laid, and these boards were held On by weight-poles laid on them. These 
board- uer. some four feet in length, and from eight inches to a fool wide, and 
were split OUt of oak timber with an instrument called a free. No floor was 
laid in the camp, nor was there any such thing as window or chimney con- 
nected with the structure; neither would you see such thing as i door-shatter 

in all this edifice. Now. these are fact-, and we doubt not that the young men. 

who are now growing up. wonder what the people did for tight, and when their 
tires were built, as well as how they found ingress and egress. The one side 

of the structure that wa- left out answered all these purposes. dust in front 

of the open side was built a large log heap, which served to give warmth in 

cold weather, and for t king purposes all the vear round. Abundant f 

light was admitted by this aperture, while on either side of the fire were ample 

Aay- for passing in and out. We describe tin- camp thus particularly. 

becau-e m smb as this the earlv -ettbr- spent the first few vears of their 

SOJOUrn in the new country. Mr. < 'lary had a family when he first came. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. Iffi 

Judge Robert Clary, recently deceased, was six weeks old when the family set- 
tled in the grove. The large and respectable family of Clarys. now living in 
the county, are the descendants of this pioneer. Not long after Clary settled 
in the grove, Mr. Solomon Pratt, with his family, took up their residence in 
a cabin on Section 3, Town 17, Range 7, this being in the vicinity of Mr. 
Clary. During the fall of 1819 and the spring of 1820, emigration came in 
pretty rapidly, and, there being no record kept of the order in which they 
came, and the names of some being forgotten, it is impossible to get the detail 
correct. About this time, the Armstrongs, Greens and Spears came, a more 
detailed account of whose settlement will be given in another place. 

It was before stated that the first settlement in the county was in Clary's 
Grove ; this we believe is true ; however, there is a great diversity of opinion 
on this subject among the oldest citizens now living. Amberry Rankin, of 
Athens, is of the opinion that Judge Latham was the first white man to 
take up his abode in the limits of the county; and it is a known fact that 
Sugar Grove, in the northeast part of the county, was settled very soon after 
Clary's Grove, if not at the very same time. From a document left by Charles 
Montgomery, deceased, and from the statement of Alexander Meadows, now 
living in Greenview, we learn some important facts. These statements air 
fully reliable, as the gentlemen named were members of the first party that 
settled on the east side of the Sangamon River. 

Jacob Boyer and James Meadows, who were brothers-in-law, came to Sugar 
Grove, from the American bottom, in the spring of 1819. They had lived a year 
or two on Wood River, in the American bottom, two and a half miles from Alton 
meadows, brought one wagon drawn by two horses, and, in addition, one milk 
cow, a yoke of yearling steers, that had been broken to work when sucking- 
calves, and some thirty head of hogs. Boyer brought three horses, two milk 
cows, and perhaps a yoke of oxen. About the same day that Boyer and 
Meadows came, the Blane family, consisting of four brothers, one sister and 
the mother, came to the same grove. This family was of Irish blood, and it 
was from them that the " Irish Grove," in the east part of the county, received 
its name. The Blanes brought two two-horse teams and six or seven yoke of 
oxen. Boyer and Meadows erected a cabin on the south side of the grove, 
which was occupied by Boyer, and Meadows put up a " three-faced camp " on 
the ground now occupied by the " Sugar Grove Cemetery." Before the Blanes 
settled there, they had been camped for a few days in the "Irish Grove," ae 
it has since been called : it is therefore very probable that they were camped in 
the county when Clary settled at Clary's Grove. 

The Blanes also " took claims," erected cabins and began business in earnest. 
These were the first settlers on the east side of the Sangamon River. 

Before giving an account of the further settlement of Sugar Grove, it may 
not be amiss to relate an incident in the early history of this settle- 
ment, illustrating the fact that human nature is ever the same, and that 



198 BI8T0RY OF MENARD OOUNTY. 

; in this early day men had need of civil courts. It will be accessary t" 
explain that although the trouble began when but few families ".tied 

. il was some time before it culminated in a lawsuit, as there wen 
courts of justice in reach till some time later. 

As stated above, Meadows brought two horses, thirty head of hogs and two year- 
ith him to the grove. Not many months elapsed until both the hi 
_-. and the !:"_ r - were all strayed away and lost. Not a great while 
after these misfortunes, one of the little oxen was found dead in tl 
Diligenl search was made in every direction for the missing stock, as they 
could do! be replaced without greal trouble and expense, owing to the dista 
from any older settlement. In his anxiety, Mr. M. applied to a fortune-teller, 
who strolled through the new settlement, practicing his art, as the am 
troubadour used to Btroll from village to village, to rehearse the deeds of hi> 
heroes. This seer told Mr. Meadows that the horses were in the possession of 

the Indians, and that he Would recover them after awhile. though but "lit- at a 

time. Sure enough, the horses were found in the hand- of the Endi 
who said they had traded for them firom a Frenchman. The horses wen - 

jailed that they were of no service and soon after died. The hogs, he W8S 
told, had gone down the Sangamon River, where one-half of them had I 
eaten by a "squatter," and the rest he would recover. Meadows followed the 
directions given, found the cabin of the suspected settler, but found none of the 
hogs. He, however, traded for a frying-pan from the worthy citizen, the one, 
ipposed, in which his hogs had been fried: but the remainder of the 
found as had been predicted. The fortune-teller further said that the 

came to its death at the hand- of one of Mr. M.'S neighbors, in the folio 
manner: The neighbor was making rail- in the timber, his coat lying on a 
near by, when the poor calf came browsing along, and. spying the coat 
letermined to make a meal of it. The laborer, his coat about t 

.-wallowed, ran and struck the brute on the loins with his maid, and the blow 

proved aufficienl to kill it on the spot. 

Although this was only the statement of a superstitious fortune-teller, 
it was believed Btrongly enough t" induce Mr. Meadows to begin a su 
the accused party, which was in the courts for several ye 

money, and created a feud between tWO families, which la-ted tothesecond _ 
eration. This i- spoken of a- the first lawsuit of any importance ii 
county; and also a- illustrating a superstitious belief in fortune-tellers 

that time wa- almOSl universal. 

long after the settlement of Boyer, the BlaneS and Meadow-, a', 

caravan of immigrants came to tin' i Jennison, Mr. Hill. William 

McNabb, bis wife, son and daughter were of this company.. James McNabb, 
-on ..f William, above named, was a surveyor, and taught thefirel school in the 
grove. A R - later, he was drowned in trying to swim the Sangamon 

River with hi- compass tied on hi- bead. It is -aid that he had been drink 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 199 

or he would not have made the attempt. A few months after the arrival 
of those last named, others came, among them Roland Grant and family, Benja- 
min Wilcox and Ward Benson. About the same time, a Mr. Pentecost chip 
from Kentucky, bringing a family of four sons and three daughters. He 
-ft tied near the present residence of Judge Marbold, near Greenview. Cavanis, 
for whom Cavanis Creek, running near Greenview, was named, came about this 
time. He also was from Kentucky. The next to find their way to this grove 
was a company from Deer Creek, Ohio ; it was composed of the Alkires and 
William Engle. No party of weary travelers ever entered a new country that 
was destined to exert a stronger influence on the future growth and prosperity 
of community than this little band. Leonard Alkire brought considerable 
means with him, and invested it largely in "claims," which he afterward 
entered. He purchased the claims of Meadows, Grant. Wilcox, and the 
Blanes. This was the beginning of a change among the early settlers of this 
grove. Hill, who was spoken of above, moved to St. Louis. John Jennison 
farmed a year or two in the grove, and- then removed to Baker's Prairie., three 
miles southeast of Petersburg. Meadows moved to, the lower end of the grove, 
and bought the claim of Pentecost. McNabb and Wilcox also moved to 
Baker's Prairie, where they took claims, which they entered as soon as the land 
came into market. There they reared families, and many of their descendants 
are still in that vicinity. Not long after the arrival of Alkire and Engle, Mat- 
thew Bracken came with a large family ; after him came Nicholas Propst; then 
Wall and William Sweeney, Milt Reed, Thomas and William Caldwell. From 
this time the tide of immigration constantly grew deeper and wider, pouring in 
a host of earnest, industrious and enterprising men to develop this most highly 
favored body of country. 

While the settlement here was being made, of course other localities were 
not neglected. It is rather a remarkable fact, however, that no settlers were 
found on the prairie for several years, but each grove of timber contained 
a settlement, and was the nucleus of a community. Of the more important of 
these, we will speak farther in the proper place. It may be of interest to the 
reader to know that the first marriage on the east side of the river was John 
•leiinison to Patsy McNabb ; the second was one Henman to Rosina Blane ; and 
the third. William Engle to Melissa Alkire. The last-named couple were mar- 
ried by Harry Riggin, J. P. 

The first death was an infant son o: Jacob Boyer named Henderson. The 
second was James Blane, and the third was Joseph Kinney, who was thrown 
from a horse. He was brought home but soon died. Some sav that he was 
the second person who died in the grove, and the first adult buried in the bury- 
ing-ground ; but Charles Montgomery, in a statement written some years before 
his death, says that James Blane was the second, and Kinney the third who 
died. Kinney was buried in Sugar Grove Cemetery, and an elm came up immedi- 
ately out of his grave, and it is now a large, wide-spreading tree ; and although 



200 H18TORI CM? MENARD COUNTY. 

ni'l stem have obliterated all signs of a grave, yet it is ;i verdant d 
ument to the memory of Joseph Kinney. 

The first schoolhouse w;i> huilt in Sugar Grove in L822, by Mea 
Boyer, Wilcox, McNabb and Grant. It was constructed of split logs, and 
about Bizteen Feet square. This bouse was furnished on a par with all the 
school houses in the early settling of the country. Covered with boards held in 
their places by " weight poles," the floor of "puncheons" made of split logs, 

the scat- ihr half of a log 10 <>r 1 "J feet long, with four pins set in with a la 

anger for legs, a log left out along one Bide for a window, beneath which a Blab 
laid "ii two large pins in a slanting position to serve as a writing-desk. 
The text»bool w in number, and the teacher made all the pens of g< 

quills. The books used were the Nev< Testament fur a reader, with occasionally 
a copy of the old ■• English Reader," Tike's or Smiley's Arithmetic, but few of 
the pupils ever advanced farther than the Single or Double Rule of Three 
single or double proportion), geography was seldom studied, and English 
grammar was totally unknown in the schools here for several year-. 1'ncle 
Minter Graham, who has taught school longer than any other man in Central 
Illinois, perhaps, tells an amusing anecdote about teaching grammar in an early 

day here, and he vouches for the truth of the statement, as it came under his 

own personal knowledge. A certain teacher whose aspirations were consider- 
ably in advanee of his acquirements, fell himself '-ailed upon to teach English 
grammar. He accordingly organized a class in that science, and very kindly 
rted them in preparing the first lesson, which was the four general 'divisions 
of grammar: these he pronounced for them, with a gusto, as follows: Or- 
tho-graph-y, Kt-y-mo-Zo-gy. Stome-t&x and Pro-so-dy. The text-books osed 
when grammar began to be taught in the schools, were Murray's and Kirk- 
ham's Grammars. The above books, with Webster's old Speller, or the Element- 
ary; and ;i "horn-book" — a wooden paddle with the alphabet pasted on it — for 
the litt'e fellows, were the entire outfit of Bchool-books. The schools at this 
time were all on the subscription plan, which is fully explained under the head 
of Education in this volume and seldom were for a longer term than three 
months, and that in the middle of the winter. James McNabb, who. as the 
reader will remember, was drowned in the Sangamon River, was the first 
teacher in Sugar drove: he was followed hy Daniel McCall, and Boon by otl 

Perhaps, one Templeaan was the third teacher in this settlement. The first 
preaching in Sugar Grove was m the cabin of Roland Grand, by one Hender- 
son, a preacher of the " New-Light " faith, as it was then termed. The New 

Lights and the followers of Alexander < 'amphell afterward united, forming what 
was at first denominated the Church of the Disciples, hut afterward el 

the Church of Christ, sometimes called Campbell tee I 'f this ■ more extended 
account will he given under the head " Religious Denominations. 1 

When the settlement was first begun at Sugar Grove, and for some time 
after, the nearest physician was in Springfield, then a mere village. Dr. Allen 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 201 

of that city was the first practitioner of the healing art that was called to visit 
the community at the grove. Not a great while elapsed, however, till Dr. 
Winn settled near Indian Point, and began the practice of medicine. 

Having thus glanced hastily at the early history of Sugar Grove, we turn 
now to other localities, where settlements were made in an early day, as New 
Salem, two and one-half miles from Petersburg, up the river : the vicinity of 
Indian Point; the Concord neighborhood, three miles north of Petersburg. 
The Indian Point settlement includes that of Lebanon and Athens, while that 
of New Salem is associated with that of Rock Creek. These, with Clary's and 
Sugar Groves, before mentioned, were the more important of the early centers 
of civilization ; indeed, all the others may be regarded as offshoots of these. 
About 1820, the settlement at Indian Point began. The first settler was Rob- 
ert White, who settled on the farm on which his son Franklin now lives, 
adjoining the ground on which Lebanon Cumberland Presbyterian Church now 
stands. With him came James Williams — father of Col. John Williams — and 
family, consisting of two sons and four daughters. Archibald Kincaid, Jacob 
Johnston and Dr. Charles Winn came about the same time, with those named 
above, and, soon after, John Moore also settled in this vicinity. William B. 
Short was also among the earliest settlers in this part of the county. These 
were all intelligent, earnest, enterprising people, and by their industry and 
economy laid the foundation of the wealth and development of that part of the 
county. The descendants of those named above make up the larger part of 
the population of Indian Creek neighborhood at the present time. Indeed, 
we are not surprised at this, when we reflect that these people held in high 
regard the Divine command, to "multiply and replenish the earth." as is 
proven from the fact that James B. Short ventured no less than five times into 
the bonds of matrimony. About 1820, Joseph Smith, from Kentucky, and his 
brother-in-law. William Holland, from Ohio, came and settled in the south side 
of Indian Point timber. Matthew Rogers, of Otsego County, N. Y., came the 
same year and settled one mile northeast of the present site of Athens. From 
this time the stream of emigration grew deeper and wider, and the numbers 
were such that but little can be given of the order of their arrival. Having 
thus sketched these three centers of early, settlements, viz.. Clary's Grove, 
Sugar Grove and Indian Point, we will now turn to the most important local- 

^0 far as early settlement is concerned, in the county : we refer to " New 
Salem." This was the first town or village laid out in the county. At a 
point some two and a half miles above Petersburg, the Sangamon River washes 
the foot of a high hill or bluff, whose precipitous sides and level summit were, 
at an early day. covered with a thrifty growth of forest trees. The country, 

k from the crest of the hill, is almost perfectly level for miles to the west. 
The timber continued back from the river in a dense forest, for the distance of 
half a mile. From this the prairie continued in unbroken sameness for many 
a mile. At a distance of perhaps three miles farther up the Sangamon, the 



BISTORT OF MENARD OOUNTT. 

little stream — for it is hardly worthy the Dame of ■ creek — of Rock Creek, 
mingk'- - with those of the "St. Gramo," afl the Sangamon was - 

times called by the early settlers. Rock Creek, rising in the western part of 
the county and flowing almost due east, enters th< Sai gamon at almost right 
angles. It- borders on either side were covered with s fine growth of tim- 
ber, making a body of, perhaps, a mile in average width, and five or six in 
th. The land on both north and Bouth of this Btream was neither Hat nor 
broken, but gently undulating and of the richest and most productive - 

Taken altogether, there is no more attractive or more productive section of 
country in Central [llinoia than Rock Creek and New Salem. Just on the 
of the bluff, above described, in years long gone by, was situated the vil- 
»f Salem. This locality, though not so at present, will in time become 
almost as historic as Mt. Vernon itself*. Although Nature has not been BO pro- 
gorgeousness of the scenery here as in that of the old Dominion, 
nor is the quiet Sangamon to be compared with the majestic Potomac, yet, in 
many respects, Salem is as Bacred to the lover of human liberty as Mt. Ver- 
non in all her historic glory. Many a visitor seeks the spot where President 
Abraham Lincoln spent the years of his early manhood; where he studied the 
law. wrestled, foot-raced, romped and sported with the young men of his 

and where those principles were imbibed and matured, which, in after y. 
made him the idol of a great mas- ,,f the American people, and wrote his D l 
in tablets more enduring than granite, brass or bronze — but they are ever dis- 
appointed at finding no vestige of the village of Salem. At the foot of the 
bluff, just at the brink of the water, stand- an old water-mill, a broken dam 
Stretches across the stream, and through its comities- chinks and crevices the 
water murmurs, making sad mu-ic to the seeming desolation, which Been 
reign all around, for there is not a building of any kind, aave the old mill. 
nearer than a fourth of a mile to the old town site. Settlements had b 
made in this vicinity several year- before the laying-out of Salem. Green hail 
d BOUthweSt of there. Potter, Jones. Armstrong and other- settling near 

re, with Lloyd and others farther up the Rook Creek timber. Somewhere 
about 1824 to L826, John Cameron and .lames Rutledge erected s rude and primi- 
tive mill near the site, perhaps on the very spot, of the present mill. Two or 
three log pens were built and tilled with stone to prevent their being Washed 

away by high upon the-.. . 1 a platform, and a shaft attached 

rude breast-wheel gave motion to a -mall pair of •• home-made " buh- 
the platform. Notwithstanding the extreme simplicity of this mill, it was I 
■•lug thing" in that early day. for mills were BO scarce, SS we -hall see in 
another place, that people came from a distance of fifty and even one hundred 
miles in every direction, to have their grain ground in this mill. Such WSS 

the patro en to this enterprise, that the proprietors determined to lay 

out a town adjoining the mill property. Accordingly the surveyor, Reuben 
Harrison, was employed, ami. on the 18th day of October, L820, the towi 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 203 

Salem was duly and legally laid out. The first improvements in the town 
were made by the proprietors, John Cameron and James Rutledge. Each of 
those gentlemen at once began to improve a lot by erecting a log cabin. 

We may here remark that the town was destined to a short life, for in less 
than a decade it had run its course; but the cabin of John Cameron long 
remained as a monument to the memory of Salem. Until a few months ago, 
it stood in desolate solitude, but lately it has fallen down and has been removed, 
and there is nothing now to mark the locality of this first town in the limits of 
Menard County, save the scattered debris, barely indicating that buildings of 
some character once stood there. 

The third building erected was a store-room, which, when completed, was 
occupied by Samuel Hill and John McNamar. These were probably the first 
merchants in the county, except Harry Riggin and A. A. Rankin, of Athens. 

At the time that Salem was laid out, there had never been a post office in 
the limits of what is now Menard County, the people getting what little mail 
matter they received from Springfield, then a mere village. A post office was 
established at Salem, and Col. Rogers was appointed the first Postmaster. His 
duties, however, were not very arduous, as newspapers were then scarcely 
known in the West, or in the East, for that matter, and but few persons were 
ever in receipt of a letter. The youth of to-day can scarcely imagine how 
people lived in those days. To illustrate this postal system, it may be stated 
that, while Illinois County was under the government of Virginia, Col. 
John Todd was appointed Lieutenant Commandant of said county, with instruc- 
tions to report to Gov. Patrick Henry, of Virginia, each month, and, although 
Todd lived in Fayette County, Ky., yet his reports were often one month in 
reaching Gov. Henry. 

Hill and McNamar were followed in the mercantile business by one George 
Warburton, who soon became addicted to hard drink, and ended a wretched 
existence by committing suicide by throwing himself into the Sangamon River. 
Warburton was a shrewd business man, possessing a fine education, and of a 
genial, friendly turn, so much so that he had but one enemy, and that was 
alcohol. 

Warburton was succeeded in the store by two brothers from Virginia, by 
the name of Chrisman, who remained a short time, and followed the "star of 
em] tire," going Westward. 

About this time, W. G. Greene, from Kentucky, and Dr. John Allen and 
brother, from the Green Mountain State, came to Salem. Dr. Allen was a 
thorough Christian gentleman, and stood very high in the medical profession. 
It was through the influence of Dr. Allen that the first Sunday school and 
first temperance society were formed. The meetings of both these were held 
in a log cabin south of Salem, across the ravine that ran just at the south 
limit of the village. Dr. Allen died in Petersburg some seventeen to twenty 
years ago. and his brothers, after remaining here a number of years, removed 



204 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY 

to Minnesota, and at last accounts were in the lumber regions, running facto- 
ries, stores, banks and mills, giving employment to three or four hundred men. 
Dr. Duncan eame some time after I>r. Allen, and after a few years removed to 
Warsaw, 111., where he built up a nourishing practice. 

In the rammer or early tall of 1881, Abraham Lincoln came to Salem, on 
his return from a trip with a flat-boat to New Orleans. This was his first visit 
:ly to the village, although he had passed down the Sangamon River early 
in the preceding spring. And here we cannot refrain from relating ananedote 
often repeated bv the old citizens, illustrative of the peculiarities of this eccen- 
tric thongfa celebrated statesman. The story is told of Lincoln's boring a hole 
in the bottom of. a sunken flat-boat, in order to set her afloat by letting the 
water run out of the hole, and it is literally true. It happened as follows: 
lief '..re Mr. Lincoln's father left Indiana for Macon Co., 111., the youthful Abraham 
bad made a successful tlat-boat trip to New Orleans, vis the Wabash. Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers. Some time after their settlement near the Sangamon, in 
Macon County, a gentleman came to the younger Lincoln, desiring him to 
assist in running a flat-boat to New Orleans, the gentleman having heard of 
Mr. Lincoln's success in a former trip. A bargain was soon made, and soon 
the boat was partially loaded with salt pork in barrels, and a small number of 
live hog8, the supercargo intending to complete the burden by the purchase of 
more live hogs on their way. All went well and " merry as a marriage bell " 

till the craft reached the dam erected across the river at Salem, by Cameron A. 
Ivutlegc. Here they weredoomed to trouble, for, coming to the dam with speed 
accelerated by the draw of the fall to such a degree thai the boat, striking prow 
first, ran far enough upon the dam to extend the prow several feet over. This, of 

OOUrse, elevated the forward part of the boat, and the result was. the water cane- 
over the stern till that part of the boat settled to the bottom. In this dilemma, 
the owner of the flat prop i tie- freight ashore as best they could, and 

abandon the boat. Not so with Lincoln. A canoe was secured and the freight 
principally removed to B place of Safety. Lincoln then said that he would get 

an anger and bore a hole in the bottom of the boat and thus set her afloat. 

Some Bmiled incredulously, some laughed outright, while all thought it the I 

a dolt. Nevertheless, an auger was procured, a hole WSS bored in the bottom of 

the boat near the bow where it projected over the dam. The bow was then 

lowered, when, of course, the water in the item ran to the front, and, as the 

bow extended over the dam. it ran out, and. in a very short time— a pin 1>. 
driven into the hob — the boat was again afloat By a little care, the " tlat " 

d safely over the dam, reloaded, and they pursued their oourse down 
the river. It was on this trip, some tour or five miles below the present siti 

Petersburg, that, they having bought B Lot of bogS, which refused to go on the 

boat. Mr. Lincoln conceived the novel idea of sewing ap then- eyes. A needle 

and thread WSS procured, and the eyes of the stubborn porkers duly stitched up. 
when, being unable to see. they quietly and calmly marched on the boat, when 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 207 

the stitches were cut, and the swine restored to sight. Having completed the 
cargo, they reached their destination without accident, and Mr. Offutt, having 
purchased a stock of goods, he determined to ship them to Beardstown, and 
thence remove them .by wagon to Salem, where he intended to open a store. 
He also engaged the young boatman, Lincoln, to serve him in the capacity of 
clerk in the store. It was on the return from this trip that Abraham Lincoln 
made his first appearance on the streets of the village of " New Salem." The 
writer is aware that it is claimed by some that Lincoln had resided in Salem 
prior to this visit to New Orleans ; but after a careful examination of all the 
testimony, he is fully convinced that this visit, in autumn, 1831, was Lincoln's 
first residence in Salem, and, in fact, his first knowledge of it, except that he 
passed down the river early in the preceding spring. 

The goods having come, Lincoln was soon duly established in the Salem 
store as clerk. It may not be amiss, in this connection, to state that the charge 
has often been made that Lincoln "kept a saloon" while in Salem. Now, 
while the writer was never a political admirer of Mr. Lincoln, yet truth and 
justice demand that this matter be stated correctly ; and, after diligent search 
and inquiry, he is obliged to state it is as his deliberate conviction that this was. 
indeed, a store in which dry goods and groceries were kept. It is a truth, 
however, that in that early day, perhaps nearly all the stores kept liquor to 
sell by the pint, quart and gallon. In the joint discussion between Lincoln 
and Douglas, in 1858, Mr. Douglas sneeringly spoke of Lincoln having 
engaged in " keeping a grocery." In reply, Lincoln said Mr. D. was k> wofully 
at fault," for he had " never kept a grocery, anywhere in the world." 

Off'utt's mercantile business soon increased to that extent, that he found it 
necessary to engage another clerk ; William G. Greene, now one of the 
wealthiest farmers of Menard County, was engaged for this position. Here 
Lincoln and Greene formed a friendship that lasted long as life. 

In the fall of 1831, Mr. Lincoln was appointed Postmaster at Salem, which 
position he held several years. 

In the summer of 1832, the Black Hawk war began, and, Gov. Reynolds 
issuing a call for volunteers, a company of 100 men was soon raised in the 
section of country around Salem. Mr. Lincoln went in as a private soldier, 
but, soon after the company was organized, it became necessary to elect a cap- 
tain. Mr. Lincoln and one Kirkpatrick were the aspirants, the former being 
chosen by a large majority. The company reported at once at Beardstown. 
whence they marched to Oquawka. The soldiers soon became dissatisfied, 
as they had no opportunity to engage the Indians ; and, in some regiments, the 
dissatisfaction ran so high, that two or three times it threatened to break out in 
open mutiny. At the end of the time for which Lincoln's company had 
enlisted, they were honorably discharged and returned to their homes. Mr. 
Lincoln re-enlisted in another command and remained till the total defeat of 
Black Hawk and the ratification of peace. Mr. L. then returned to Salem, 

B 



_ I HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

where he continued the study of the law in the idle moments snatched bet* 
waiting upon customers in the store. This Btndy had been begun Boon after Ins 
settlement in Salem, and, though his opportunities were of the very pen 
during his Btay in Salem, he laid the deep and wide foundation of his 

future )>rilli;tnt career in the legal profession. Mr. Lincoln was doubtless born 
to be a leader. He was possessed of all those peculiar gifts and traits which 

d him to be looked up to for counsel and direction, even when a i: 
youth. During his stay al Salem, especially the first few yean of it, ther< 
a kind of tend or rivalry between the "Clary's Grove hoys"' and the "River 
timber boys." Perhaps, in the entire State there was Qot a harde 
found than those Clary's Grove lads, for there was no rowdyism or revelry in a 
circuit of twenty miles that they were not in some way connected with. 
eionally they would repair in force to Salem to drink their grog and settle old 
On Buch occasions, in the early Btage of their revels — that which may 
termed the Bocial and friendly stage — they talked, laughed, told yarns. 
cracked jokes, wrestled and ran foot-races : during this Btagej Lincoln was always 
impire, arbiter and judge, all having the mosl implicit confidence in his honor 
and ability. During the Becond, or combative Btage, when the fiery juice of the 

grain or fruit, had worked its way into their noddles, and made each one COn- 

sider himself a hero, the war began in earnest. And then Buch Bcenee of fisti- 
cuff and ground tussle were BCarcely n. Lincoln was still arbiter, 
and his decision W end of all dispute. When the third or stupid St 

came on, the boy- from the Grove — often with battered pates and deplete'! 
pocket-, wended their sullen way back to the timber, to bind up their bruises 
and condole with one another over the cruel fate that ever awaited then 
Salem. Lincoln Boon became Surveyor, and in the discharge of the duti< 

Hire, he visited e\ ery part of the county, for by him the land of the entire 
county was surveyed. Almost his Last work as Surveyor was laying out the 
• town of Petersburg. 
Some time near the time of the Black Hawk war. Mr. Lincoln, for the 

time, was pierced with the cruel darts of the little blind god Cupid. The 
"beautiful Anna Ruth - she was called, was then just ripening into 

lovely and perfect womanb 1. and he fell the force, as Lytl of "the 

revolution that turns OS all topsy-turvy — the revolution of love." for 

I. 'ir like death, 

Levels all rank-. Rod lav- I lie Bheph< ' 
le the Boepter. 

From the fen old settlers who could remember the- - distinctly, \s • 

bave gleaned some facts concerning this event in the life of Mr. Lincoln — an 

• which affected his whole after-life. Anna Rutledge was not I beauty in 

the modern sense of the word ; for, brought up in this rural district, and in 
total ignorance of the conventional follies of fashionable life; accustomed from 
early childhood to out-door exercise, and the rough, wild pastimes of the day 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. -J"'.' 

in which she lived — she "was stamped with a beauty entirely free from art or 
human skill — a beauty all the result of Nature's handiwork. That the young 
clerk was captivated is not surprising. It is not our purpose to invade these 
hallowed precincts by detailing their many strolls along the margin of the river, 
or over the rugged bluffs in the vicinity of Salem. Suffice it to say that his 
affection was fully reciprocated, and the two were doubtless pledged in the 
indissoluble bonds of love. But in 1835, disease laid its cruel hand upon the 
young girl, and, in spite of the love of friends, and the skill of the ablest 
physicians, on the 25th of August, 1835, death came to her relief, and, as Mr. 
Herndon expresses it, " The heart of Lincoln was burietf in the coffin of Anna 
Rutlege." Be this literally true or not, one thing is sure, from that time 
a dark shadow seemed to be cast over him, from which he never fully 
emerged. It is said by those having the means of knowing, that ever after 
this, whenever an opportunity offered, Lincoln would wander alone to the little 
hillock raised above her ashes, and sit and ponder in sadness, doubtless living 
over in memory the happy hours spent at Salem. Notwithstanding his tall, 
ungainly form, and the readiness of his humor, there was hid in his breast a 
heart as tender and full of sympathy as a woman's — a heart touched by every 
tale of sorrow, and full to overflowing with the milk of human kindness. 

Before the close of the first decade after Salem was laid out, the citizens of 
the village were all scattered and gone. John McNamar settled four miles 
north of Petersburg, in Sand Ridge Precinct, where he reared a respectable 
family. He was respected in the community where he lived. He died on the 
old homestead, on the 22d of February, 1879, at the ripe age of seventy-eight 
years. Mr. Hill, partner of Mr. McNamar, was the last to leave Salem ; he 
afterward became a prominent merchant and manufacturer in Petersburg. Had 
we space, we would be glad to detail the entire history of this little town, giving 
an account of each citizen. We can, however, mention in passing a few more 
characters, as Jonathan Dunn, the millwright ; Henry Onstott, cooper ; Edmund 
Grier, Justice of the Peace and school-teacher ; Minter Graham, who still lin- 
gers on these ''mortal shores," living at present in Petersburg, the man who, 
perhaps, has taught school a greater number of months than any other man in 
Illinois. He has taught constantly over fifty years, having taught over one 
hundred terms of from three to nine months in length. When Lincoln first 
came to Salem, Mr. Graham gave him instructions in English grammar, when 
Mr. L. had leisure from his duties in the store. "Uncle Minter," as he is 
familiarly known, taught the first school in Salem. 

We would mention John Herndon. who was for awhile a merchant there, 
and who accidentally killed his wife while taking. a loaded gun from the loft of 
his dwelling ; John H. Kelso, tavern-keeper ; Martin Waddel, hatter : William 
Berry, Reuben Radford, Allen Richardson, and several others whose names 
have escaped the memory of the few remaining citizens who knew the village 
in the days of its prosperity. 



210 BISTORT OP MENARD OOUNTT. 

Of the company of ''apt. Lincoln in the Black Hawk war. bat few -till 
survive. We can only learn of ■ fen individuals who arc .still living ln-t • 

rhere. Of these are Hon. W. <i. Greene, David Pantier, Samnel Tibbs, 
Travifl ESlmore, Br., and Royal Clary, the latter recently deceased. 

iking of the Black Hawk troubles, brings to miml an anecdott 
characteristic of Lincoln, thai we beg the reader's indulgence while we relate it. 
In 1848, while Mr. Lincoln was in Congress, the Democrats were strivinghard 
to makes military hero of Hon. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, in order to inn 
his chances for the Presidency of the United States, and Mr. Lincoln, in a 
speech in Congress, thus playfully referred to the feet: 

By ilie wiiy Mr. Speaker, >li'l you know / am a military hero JTee, rir, in the d 

nk Hawk war I fought, l>le< i and — oame away. Speaking ol I eer reminds 

me of my own. 1 was not at Stillman'a defeat, bul I vns about u neai it as a to Hull's 

Burrender, and, like him, I saw the place Yery soon afterward. It is quite certain 1 <i i> 1 not 

lireak my Bword, for 1 bad none to break, but 1 bent a musket pretty badly on on If 

iword, tin' idea is, he 'li'l it in desperation; i>nt 1 bent the musket by ace 

t in advance of me in picking whortleberries •■ 1 him in 

tee upon the wild onions. If lie saw any live, fighting Indians, ; than I did, but 

[ bad a good many bloodj ith the mosquitoes; and, although I never fainted fr.>ni 

bl I. I can truly Bay 1 was often very hm 

Mr Speaker, it' 1 should ever conclude to doflF whatever our De 
here is of leralism about me, and thereupon they should take me 

their candidate t'>r the Presidency, I protest they shall not make fun of me as they ha 
by attempting to wtiu me into a military hero. 

The reader will pardon this rather lengthy account if the settlement and 
subsequent history of Salem, but, as Lincoln's early history is so interwt 
with this community, it seems thai loyalty to truth demands this account. And. 
while we are not giving a history of " Honest < Md A.be,»" and while the writer 

was never B political admirer of him, yet, history demand- the statement of a 

ither facts regarding him. 

In 1884, when he was elected to the Legislature, he walked to the -eat of 
government, and one Buit of home-spun jeans was his outfit for the entire session. 
At present, it take- three or four - to cany the wardrobe of the 

average legislator. An appropriation is now made of $50 per member, to 
for stationery ; hut. at the session of the Legislature of Illinois, in 1817-18 
committee was appointed to contract for stationery !<>r the members during the 

on. The committee reported that they had purchased the i 

amount at a total COSt of %\ 8.50 ! 

Lincoln was popular with all classes. At one time, his compass and chain 
were sold for debts, and were bought by Mr. James Short, who at once handed 

ii over to Mr. Lincoln, who gladly accepted them, remarking, " 111 do as 
much for you some day. Firm and true to his word, after he became President 
of the United State-, be did repay it. by tendering Mr. Short an appointment 
to a lucrative offict 

\- an illustration of the popularity of Lincoln, it may be stated that when 
t'lav and Jackson ran for the Presidency, Mr. Lincoli 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 211 

being a life-long Whig. That year his friends brought him out for the Legis- 
lature. The whole Whig ticket was of course defeated, but in his own precinct, 
out of 284 votes polled, he received 277. 

Such is a brief account of the settlement of Salem, rendered historic by 
being the home of Abraham Lincoln. 

The next center of the early settlements in the limits of the county, aside 
from those we have named, is Concord, four miles north of Petersburg. An 
account of the early settlers in that community will be found given in the his- 
tory of Sand Ridge Precinct. The early settlements were all made in the tim- 
ber, and it was many years before the prairies were cultivated to any extent, 
and settlements were not made on the larger prairies till a comparatively recent 
date. It is an amusing fact that the early settlers, instead of opening their 
farms in the prairies, ready cleared by the hand of nature, and ready for the 
plow, would " squat " in the heart of the most dense forest, and by the most 
tedious and laborious process would "grub out " a farm. The first settlers in 
Clary's Grove opened fields of from twelve to thirty acres in this way, cutting 
down and burning up the most valuable timber in large amounts. The result 
of this was to settle up the timber along the streams, and the groves, long before 
the country was generally covered with improvements. The reader will thus 
understand us, when we speak of the nuclei of early settlements. Clary's 
Grove, Rock Creek and the river timber on the west side of the river, and 
Sugar Grove, Indian Point, Athens and the river timber on the east, were thus 
the localities where the first settlements were made. Gradually, the settlements 
extended farther and farther into the prairies, till at present all the land of the 
county is under fence, and nearly all in cultivation. 

ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS. 

Of the history of Menard County, as associated with that of the Indian 
tribes, but little can be said. 

On the highest bluff along the Sangamon River, there are to be seen, to the 
present time, remains of the works of that strange people called the " Mound 
Builders." Many of these mounds have been opened, but no relics of any 
value have been found. Stone axes, arrow-heads and spear-points of flint have 
been picked up on the surface, and exhumed from below the surface of the 
ground, some having been found as deep as twelve feet below the top of the 
ground. The present writer opened a number of mounds along the crest of 
the bluffs of the Sangamon. In one of these was found, at a depth of thirty 
inches below the surface, a full set of human teeth embedded in the clay. Noth- 
of them remained save the portion above the gums, covered with enamel. The 
entire thirty-two were present, with no mark of decay in any of them. They 
were as white as those in any living subject, and the upper and lower sets were 
closed together as in the closed mouth of a living being. These were setting 
in the pure unmixed clay, and in all the surrounding earth not a sign was 



lil2 HI8T0R1 OF MEN LRD OOUNTV. 

risible of the remains of decayed bones or anyth _ pure clay. The teeth 

Blacked like lime, turning to a fine white powder in a few minutes aft< 
brought t<i tin- air. The mound in which these were found, was nearly exactly 
round, about twelve feet in diameter, and about three and a half feet above the 
natural level. Some three hundred feet from this, another of almost exactly 
the same size and form of this was opened. This contained two human skele- 
tons, lying about three feet below the surface. The heads were very near the 
r of the mound, lying within about ten inches of each other, the body of 
one lying nearly east and west, the other extending from northe uth- 

These were thought to be the bones of a male and a femab . 
three hundred yards from these, was another mound, somewhat smaller in 
diameter than the others, but a root or more higher. Carefully remo 

top of the mound, it was found that about two and a half feet below th 

was a basin about the proportion of a breakfast plate, burned to the hardness 
of an ordinary brick. It appeared that a small mound, perhaps two 
and -i\ fee; across the top. had first been raised, and a basin, six feet a 
and teli inches lower in the middle than at the outer -'dire, had been formed, 
and a tire built in this till the clay was burned hard to the depth oftWO inches. 
In this basin, mingled with charcoal and ashes, were the bones of a man. The 
smaller bones were all burned to a snowy whiteness, while the larger ones Were 

charred on top and the under surface was entirely unaffected by the fire, indi- 
cating that the lire had been built on the top of the body, thus leaving the 

under surface of th.- bone- unmarked by lire. 

Further down the river number of Indian graves are found, in 

almost all of which specimens of pottery are found in connection with the 
bom 

When the first settlement- were made in the limits of the county, the 

Indians had nearly all been removed: a few were -nil in the timber on Indian 

k. in the neighborhood of Indian Point : ami two old men. with ten or a 

dozen of their relatives, remained for some time. These were Shick-shack and 

Shambolee. They lived a year or two on the hill just SOUth of the late 
dence of Judge Roberl Clary; they then removed to a high hill within a m;' 
the present town of Chandlersville. Her,- Shick-shack died and was buried. 
and the hill is still called Shick-shack's Hill. After his death, the rest of the 
little band left the haunts of the pale-face and were heard of qo DO 

There being no trouble with the Indians a" 1 time settlements 

here, and there being various fori- near the front I ''lark, at 

and others, there was never any Deed of forts or block houses in this scetion of 
the State. At one tune, while the Indian town was in Elkhart Grove, a band 
of warriors made an incursion on tin; settlements farther -outli. and carrie , 

a young lady prisoner. The first day, -he was tied fast on the pony that 
ried her. but she had presence of mind enough to tear off" bit- of her clothing 
which -he droppe rvala when no; watched by her cap 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 213 

which her friends might know she was still alive, and also to serve as guides 
for her pursuers. The band, with their captive, crossed the Sangamon Rivet 
almost east of where Springfield now stands. The father of the captive, with 
a few friends, was in rapid pursuit, and came up with them somewhere a 
where Williamsville is located. At the first fire, the girl having clandestinely 
loosed the thongs that bound her to the pony, leaped off and ran toward her 
rescuers. An Indian gave chase, and, seeing his prisoner about to escape, 
hurled his tomahawk at her, striking her in the small of the back, and fasten- 
ing the blade firmly in the spinal column. She fell helpless in the prairie, 
but, after a brief skirmish, the Indians tied, and the young lady was restored to 
her friends ; but it was long before she recovered from the wound of the 
Indian's missile. Some aver that this took place after the first settlements had 
been made in this county ; but others, equally entitled to credit, with equal 
confidence affirm that it was not. The reader interested in the Indian history 
of Illinois is referred, for further information, to the " History of the North- 
west " in the former part of this volume. 

EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The young men and women of the present time have no conception of the 
mode of. life among the early settlers of this country from forty to sixty years 
ago. In fact, one can hardly conceive how such changes could have taken 
place in so short a period of time. In nothing are the habits and manners of 
the people in any respect similar to those a half-century ago. We are at a loss 
where to begin so as to give the youth of to-day anything like a just idea of 
this matter. The clothing, the dwellings, the diet, social customs — in fact, 
everything has undergone a total revolution. 

In a former part of this article, we spoke of the " three-faced camps " in 
which some of the early settlers lived, and it may be truthfully said that the 
dwellings of the early pioneers, for a number of years, were but slightly in 
advance of these camps. The house was, in almost every case, built of logs, 
the cracks filled with pieces of wood called " chinks," and then daubed 
with mortar made of clay. If the floor was anything more than the earth 
tramped hard and smooth, it was made of "puncheons."' that is, logs split open 
and the split side turned upward, and the spaces between the uneven edges of 
these were often of such dimensions that the younger inmates were compelled 
to use care to keep from stepping their feet through these crevices. The roof 
was made by drawing in the top after the manner of a boy's quail-trap, and 
laying on these "clapboards." as they were called by the Western people, but 
known among Yankees as "shah These being three or four feet in 

length, were held in place by logs laid on them, instead of nails. These were 
called weight-poles. For a fire-place, the logs were cut out of one wall of the 
room, for a space of five or six feet, and three sides were built up of 
making an offset in the wall. This was lined with dirt, or stone if it could be 



21 1 HISTORY OF Mi:N \i:i» OOUNTT. 

had. The Que or upper pari of the chimney was built of small Bticks plastered 
with mud. mixed with _ r i-;i~ or straw to hold it together. This iraa called 
:i " cat-and-clay " «-li i niin-v. The door was also an aperture made by cutting 
the logs in one aide of the room; and the shutter w;i- composed of a rade frame, 
with clapboards nailed or pinned across. Tin- hinges irere also of wood, while 
the fastening consisted of a wooden latch catching on a hook of the same m 
rial. To enable the occupants to open the door from the outside, a buckskin 
Btring was tied t- the latch-bar, and passed through a small hole two or three 
inchec that when the string was pulled from the outside it lifted the 

latch out of the hook, and the door opened without further trouble. Al D 

or in time of danger, when they wished to lock the dour, all that was 

was to draw the Btring in through the hole, ami all was safe. This is thus 

minutely described in order that the young people may understand tin- as 

•mmon among the old people, when speaking of their hospitality, that "the 
Latch-string hangs out." The furniture in the house was on a par with the 
house. Illustrative of this matter of buildings, I will state a fact that may he 

surprising to others beside the young. The house in which Georg - 
lives, in (Mary's Grove, was, perhaps, the first brick house in the county. The 
bricks were made in the fall of L829, the mud being tramped by oxen. In the 
Bpring of 1880, the house was begun. All the lumber was sawed by hand with 

a whip-saw. that is. a pit was dug, over which the log W8S placed, and one man 
-landing in the pit worked one end of the Baw, while the other was handled by 
another on a frame ahove. In this way all the flooring, of blue ash. and all 
the finishing lumber, of black walnut, ami the sheeting for the roof, was sawed. 

This must have been an immense job, as the house is one of the largest farm- 
houses in the county. Any one examining this building at the presenl time 

would m«t suppose it to have Keen huilt more than ten or twelve years, for it 

seems as perfect as when first built. During the erection of this house. Mr. 
John 'Mary, the first Bettler in the grove, being then between forty-five and fifty 
years <>f age, came to Mr. Spears and, after watching the workmen for awhile 
very earnestly, remarked that that was the first brick house he had ever Been. 
Mr. Spears was obliged to -end to St. Louis for window-glass, for even at that 
comparatively late day it could not be procured nearer. This « 

by the fact that glass window- were almost entirely unknown, the ordinary 
window being an unclosed crack between two [ogS, over which a greasy paper 

was fastened in the winter. 

The article- u-ed iii the culinary department were a- tew ami Bimple :<~ 
be imagined. A M Bat-oven " or skillet, a frying-pan, an iron pot or kettle. 

with, occasionally, a coffee-pot, completed the outfit of the best furnished kite 
Move- were then entirely unknown, hence all the cooking was done on the tire- 
place. The oven was set on a Led of glowing coals, ami the frugal h 

taking a- much stiff dough of Indian meal as ihe could conveniently hold in 
both hands, and. deftly tossing from hand to hand to mold it into the desired 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 2 1 •" 

ahape, tossed it into the oven, patting it with her hand to the desired thickness. 
About three of these "dodgers" would fill the oven, when the ready heated lid 
was placed on the oven, and all was covered with burning coals. As soon as 
the bread was done, it was taken out upon a tin platter and set on the hearth 
near the fire to keep warm. Generally, the impress of the fingers of the cook 
wore plainly visible in each "dodger." In the oven from which the bread was 
taken, the ham or venison was then fried, and often, in the fall and winter, the 
grease tried out of the meat when fried was allowed to remain, and in it the 
" lye-hominy," made also of Indian corn, was seasoned for the meal. Thus 
the repast was prepared, and sweeter bread or more savory meats were never 
eaten than was prepared on those rude fire-places. As to sweetmeats and con- 
fections, they were things entirely unknown. Sugar was unknown save in sec- 
tions of country where sugar-maple abounded ; but nearly all of the early 
settlers had an abundance of the finest honey in their cabins the year round ; 
for wild honey-bees were found in great numbers wherever there was timber. 
Sometimes wild crabs, wild grapes, and berries of various kinds were preserved 
in honey : but these were only opened on the most important occasions. For 
many years after the settlements were commenced in this section, wheat bread 
was entirely unknown. This fact will demand a separate paragraph on 

MILLS AND MILLING. 

In a new country, the preparation of grain for making bread is a matter of 
no slight importance : for while grain may be produced from the soil as easily 
in a new country as in an old one, it is not so easy to have the grain 
converted into meal. The first settlers here had a very primitive method of 
grinding corn, but the process was at once slow and toilsome. As said above, 
nearly or quite all of the first emigrants settled in the timber. A large stump was 
selected at a convenient point ; the top was dug or burned out into the form of 
a mortar ; a large, heavy block of hard wood, weighing from fifty to two hun- 
dred pounds, was shaped at one end so as to fit into this mortar. A long, 
springy pole was then placed in such a position that when the block named 
above was hung to the end of the pole, it would hang just over the mortar ; 
the mill was now ready for use. A small amount of corn was placed in the 
mortar, and taking hold of the pestle, it was worked up and down, and by its 
weight the corn was crushed ; this was taken out and more put in, and the 
finest being separated from the coarse, the last was placed again in the mortar to 
be rebeaten, and the fine used for bread. But this process was so slow, that in 
a large family, the pestle must go almost constantly, or some of the family 
would be "placed on short rations." This kind of a mill was used the first 
three years after the settlement was begun in Sugar Grove. The first milling 
done from Sugar Grove, was done by John Jennison and James Meadows. 
These men went in a canoe down the Sangamon to the Illinois River, thence 
by the Mississippi to Alton. They were gone twenty-one days, bringing back 



216 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

a canoe-load of breadstuff with them. Sood after this, Mr. Meadows built a 
"band-mill" in tin- grove, and, Boon after this, a Bimilar structure was put a] 
Salem, detailed accounts of which will he found in the history of the respective 

incts. The reader prill bear in mind that these mills antedated, by several 
ter-mill of Cameron and Rutledj Salem, which, at the I 

looked upon as almost a wonder of mechanical invention. Those band- 
mills, or horse-mills, though much better than the Bweep and pestle, w< 

affair- at best. I-ike the rule made among the harhers at the present tin; 

then a rule or custom that those who came first should be served first, and 
this custom was most rigidly adhered to. Persons would take a **c 91 
two bushels of corn to the mill, and they must stay till it was ground. !.' 
able men at Tallula, stated to the writer that they came from there to Pel 

burg — only eight mil© in the days of the old hand-mill, using their uti 

diligence, it was midnight of the ninth day before they returned with their 
grinding. Sow strangely this must sound to the ears of " Young Ameri 

It was several years before there wen- any mills in this county provided with 

-. etc., for the grinding and bolting of wheat, so that those comparatively 
young can remember when wheat bread was a great rarity, ami the little 
rejoiced to know the Sabbath was approaching, for they would i. r et ••cake" for 
breakfast Sunday morning. 

0LO1 HING. 

Among the early pioneers, everything was plain, simple ami in conformity 

with the strictest economy. This was not only true of their dwellings, furni- 
ture and provisions, but also of their clothing. In B Very early day. the men 
;lly wore pants and hunting-shirts of huek-kin. and caps of coon or fox 

skin, while both Bexes clothed their feet in moccasins. Cotton goods were then 
extremely hard to get, because, in the first place, of the distance such g 

to be conveyed by private mean-, ami. secondly, because the manufacture 
in this country was very limited, the greater part being manufactured in Europe. 
\- :i consequence, the pioneers of the Wesl found this one of the hardest 
demands to meet. Many were the expedients devised by them, especially by 
frugal and economical dames: for, ever since the wonderful expedient of 
preparing an entire wardrobe from fig-leaves, devised quite a number of 3 
in the past, woman has been very gifted in laying plans and adopting ex] 

in the matter of clothing. But, unfortunately for her skill and industry. 

country afforded nothing, the first feu years of its occupancy, thai could be 

any account in this direction. If cotton had been planted on their first 

arrival, it would have amounted to but little, because neither the soil nor climate 

favorabl growth, and the seasons were -,. short that it could hardly 

planted early enough to mature in quantities sufficient to justify it- cull 

li was almost useless, in an early day. to take sheep into the frontier 

omenta, on account of the va-t numbers of prairie and black and gray 

■ rhich would destroy an entire flock in a Bingle night. Hence the 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 217 

people had no choice save that between adopting expedients and appearing in 
••nature's light and airy garb." So, after the first year or two, the people 

in to sow crops of flax or hemp, and this the women spun and wove by 
hand into a coarse but substantial and pleasant linen. Of this, underwear 
made, dresses for the ladies, towels, table-cloths, etc. But. you may inquire, 
what did they do till a crop of this could be raised, rotted and made into cloth. 
In reply it may be stated that the clothing taken with them to the new country 
was made to do an immense service. But even wild nature was often appealed 
to for aid. In an early day, vast fields of wild nettles grew here, often stand- 
ing <>n the ground thicker than a field of wheat, and not unfrequently attaining 
a height of three and four feet. This produced a most excellent lint, that was 
susceptible both of being woven and bleached. Thousands of yards of linen 
were made from these nettles by the pioneer settlers in Illinois. The year after 
James Meadows settled in Sugar Grove, his wife spun and wove no less than 
thirty yards of this nettle linen. It was strong, serviceable, and bleached to 
almost a snowy whiteness. 

Even after flax was raised in sufficient quantities, and sheep had been 
introduced in considerable numbers, still it was an arduous task to spin and 
weave the cloth for the entire wearing apparel of a family. Had the fashions 
prevailed then that have in a later day. the women would have given up 
in despair. But, instead of eight or ten widths of cloth being put in a dress 
skirt in order to cover a balloon-frame of crinoline, two or three widths were 
considered amply sufficient for the fullest dress. On a certain occasion, under 
the old "blue laws" in Connecticut, a young lady was taken before the magis- 
trate, charged with having leaped over a little brook on her way to church on 
Sabbath ; and this was an offense for which she was liable to pay a severe fine. 
The mother of the young lady came into court and made oath that the skirts of 
the prisoner's dress were so narrow that she was obliged to leap the brook, or step 
into the water. Upon this testimony she was released. Doubtless there w 

t economy practiced by our ancestors as by the staid old Puritans in godly 
I onnecticut; but it was more necessity than piety that dictated the limited 
amount of material in their clothing. Our modern young gentlemen, who have 

ssed in the very best ever since they could remember, would be surprised at 
the scanty outfit of the boys of that time. The summer wear of the boys up to 
ten and twelve years of age -was simple and very free from any effort at display, 
as it consisted of but one article, that being a lonu. coarse overshirt. With this 
indispensable article they explored the forests, traversed the prairies, thought 
about the girls, and built as many castles in the air as the boys of more favore'd 
times. In winter, they were supplied with buck-skin or tow pants. moc< 
or rawhide shoes, and coats of jeans after sheep began to be raised among the 
settlers. In winter, when the deer-skin pantaloons had. by any accident, become 
wet, and dried again, it is affirmed that they could be heard to rattle a distan e 
of forty yards as the wearer walked in them. This scarcity of clothing 



- - HISTORY OP MENARD COUNTY. 

tinned to be felt for at least two decad en more. In Bnmmer, nearly all 

■us, both mulf and female, went barefoot ; and it was nothing uncommon to 
young ladies on their way t<> church on I rrying their shoes in their 

hands till near the place of worship, when, carefully brushing the 'lust from 
their feet, the shoes and stockings were donned, and they mingled with the 
throng. This continued to be common for nearly twenty years. Alter sheep 
could be protected from the wolves, the people fared better in the matt 
clothing. Flannel and linsey were woven for tin- wear of women and children, 
while jeans was woven for the men. For want of other dye-stuffs, the wool tor 
the jean- was almost invariably colored with the hark or young shout- of 
walnut : hence the inevitable "butternut " worn so extensively in the West for 
many years. As a matter of course, every family did it- own spinning and 
i t l tr : and. for many years, all the wool had to be carded by hand on ■ 
little pair of cards about five by ten inches. Each family had its spinning- 
wheel-, little and big, winding blades, reel, warping bars made by driving pins 
into the wall of the house on the outside in some place where no door was 
the way, and wooden loom. These w.re indispensable articles in almost every 

-eh,, Id : and during the fall and early winter the merry whir of the wh- 
am! the regular " bat, bat " of the loom could l»e heard till a late hour at night. 
Generally, the shoes worn were all made in the family, and mostly during the 
long evenings. No scene can be imagined that is more full of real happiness 
than the home of the pioneer, when, in the evening, all were engaged in earnest 
labor. A bright fire burns on the wide hearth, and the ruddy flame leaps far up 
the wooden chimney, affording tin' only, yet sufficient, light in the room. In 

-He corner sits the father busily engaged in making shoes; the mother at her 

little wheel hums a tune in low harmony with it- Bteady whir: while in front of 

the ample fire-place the daughter trips nimbly hack and forth, drawing out the 

long woolen thread-, while the wheel. Seeming t<> partake of the general happ-- 

SWells "lit its musical whir-ir-r. which BWells and dies away in regular and 

harmonious cadence; the younger members of the group engaged in some 
absorbing pastime, all undisturbed by a -ingle discordanl i 

Boots wei-,. almost unknown for many years, and many of the old men 
r had such things during their entire life-time: while none of the youths 

were fortunate enough to boast 'he possession of hoots till they reached man- 
Boys of fifteen and sixteen year- of age never thought of wearing any- 
thing on their feet except for thr< e or four months in the midst of winter: 

while the number who were not so fortunate a- to i r et th( m winter was 

10 mean- small. Boys, and even men. went to church many time- without 
Stockings. But what would the people of to-day think of the min 

who would propose t" present himself before his auditory barefooted '. Tin- n 

CUired in Illinois, yet it did in Some of the older State-. ;md DOS- 

Bibly even here. The writer was intimately acquainted with two ministers, 

both of whom died, at an extreme old age. a number of \eai iio often 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

spoke of preaching, in their younger days, without anything on their feet. 
They began preaching in Tennessee, and were men of far more than ordi- 
nary ability ; in fact, we have heard many sermons in finely frescoed churches, 
from men dressed in broadcloth, which were not worthy of comparison, in 
any respect, with the sermons of those men. Several times they spoke of 
preaching in their youthful days, on a certain occasion, in a private cabin, 
the loft or ceiling of which was very low, and one of the preachers being a 
very tall man, a plank was taken up in the floor, so that he might stand in this 
opening, his head thus being below the "loft.'' This being in the summer- 
time, and that region being infested with rattlesnakes, the speaker soon felt a 
thrill of horror convulse his frame, as the thought crossed his mind that per- 
haps he stood in the midst of these unwelcome companions. Of course, under 
these circumstances, the sermon was not painfully long. 

We are fully aware of the incredulity with which the above and similar 
facts will be received by the mass of the present generation ; but we write the 
facts, facts which, in the majority of cases, were known to be such by the 
writer in person. These facts should all be recorded, for none of the present 
generation have any just conception of the changes that have taken place in 
the last half-century. If the next fifty years are as productive of change as 
the past fifty have been, who can imagine the state of affairs a half-century in 
the future '.' 

The tools and agricultural implements were about on a par with everything. 
The ground was broken up by the use of a wooden mold-board plow, and the 
corn cultivated with hoes, and bull-tongue as shovel-plows. These plows were 
all single, and in plowing corn the plowman was obliged to go three or four times 
between every two rows. In planting, the ground was marked off" with a plow 
and the corn dropped by hand and covered by hand with hoes. Wheat and 
rye, etc., were cut with a sickle — a hooked instrument some eighteen inches in 
length, with a handle some six inches long. This was taken in the right hand 
of the laborer, while the grain was held in the left hand. In later years, the 
sickle was superseded by the scythe-and-cradle, which enabled the laborer to 
accomplish more in a given time, but the labor was of the severest kind. What 
would the farmers of to-day think, after following our reapers and self-binders, 
to be obliged to go into the harvest-field with a sickle, or even a scythe-and- 
cradle ? 

The teams principally used were oxen, yoked together, and thus made to 
draw burdens. In breaking up ground the first time, cattle were generally 
used. It was by no means uncommon to see six or seven yoke of oxen hitched 
to a plow, and. at fearfully slow pace, dragging the ponderous plow, as it steadily 
crushed through turf and roots, turning over the long and evenly sod : and. not- 
withstanding the tardy pace at which they moved, owing to the width of the fur- 
row, a considerable amount of land would be plowed in a day. Oxen were als< 
much used single, that is, hitched singly to a plow with harness, or rather '•gear-. 



BISTORT '»f MENARD COUNTY. 

were called, for little, if any. leather was used in their manufad 
A huge collar, made of corn-husks, tugs of twisted raw-hide, or of iron el 
when they could be procured, made the outfit ; for bridle and lines were di-- 
cardett, as the well-trained animal <li'l everything by word of command. ' i 

ally, hones were need in farming, but they were far from l»eimr plentiful. 
After a few months or years, the people bad preaching occasionally, an 
Buch occa ten was bitched to a cart, Bled or wagon, and in 

the family attend< ; hut we will speak of this in detail in the pn 

nn I \l;I.V i in RCHBS. 

It is a fact highly commendable of the early settlers of Illinois, that with 
all the trials and toils incident on settlement in a new and undeveloped country, 
and thf numbers of rough and vicious men who always seek the fronl 
ings of the Christian religion were felt and realized in the i 
remote settlements. What a rebuke, too, is given to the ministers of the 
»nt. by the self-sacrifice, devotion and arduous toil of those men who 
planted the standard of the Cross of Christ in the sparsely settled frontiers 
the West. Without the most remote hope of thf least temporal remuneration. 
expect i ami disease, Bubject to the Beverest trials ami most painful 

privations, they went out. foregoing all the joys of home ami thf Bociet 

. ones, "iily !" be instrumental in the advancement of the truth ami the 
salvation of men. Often the pioneer preacher, with no companion but the 
horse he rode, would start across the wide prairies, with if guide hut the knowl- 
edge lie ha<l of the cardinal points, or. perhaps, a point of tiinher scarcely visi- 
ble in the dim ami hazy di-tama . and. reaching the desired settlement, would 

•nt the claim- <A' the Gospel to the few assenihled hearers, after the toilsome 
and lonely day's journey ; then after a night of rest in the humble cabin and 
partaking of the simple meal, he again enters upon the journey <»f the da. 

h again at a distant point. Thus the "circuit" of hundred- of miles 

died month after month : and to these men we OW6 the planting ofchurches 
all over our land, and the hallowed influences of religion a- Been and felt in 

ty everywhere. A; this late day. it i- impossible to learn who was 
who visited thf territory now embraced in Menard County. I 

honor is claimed for at least a dozen different individuals, and three or • 

differ - lay claim to the honor of being first to be represented 

by a minister bere. There were at least five different denominations that were 
ted by minister- coming here in a very early day. These were the 
ilar, Bard-Shell or Calvinistic Baptists, the Separate [now Missionary 
Baptists, the Methodists, the New-Lights, afterward called Disciples, - 
called " Campbellites," ami the Cumberland Presbyterians. We 
v brief account of each of these separately. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 221 



REGULAR BAPTISTS. 



These people, generally called " Hard-Shells." have ever been anti-mi- 
ai v and have opposed temperance societies. They also teach that it is the duty 
of ministers to refuse stipulated salaries. As a people, they are good citizen-, 
candid and reliable, while their ministers are generally men of good natural 
minds, vet very few of them are educated. Being Calvinists of the mosl 
decided type, it is not to be wondered at that they believed if God made it one's 
duty to preach the Gospel, He would also enable him to do the work when the 
time came, without any previous preparation. Hence they, in their preaching, 
gave the people the truth k ' just as God gave it to them." If this was really 
true, all we can say (speaking with reverence), is that God gave them some 
very much mixed harangues. 

Very soon after the settlements were begun here, " Hard-Shell"' preacher- 
made their debut also. Some even affirm that an organization of " Hard- 
Shells" was formed in the vicinity of Salem even before the Baptist Church at 
Clary's Grove was organized. Grandmother Potter, who was a grow r n woman, 
and living within a mile of Salem, in 1820. is positive that the Church there was 
older by a year or two than that in the grove. But the recollection of all 
other pioneers is at variance with hers on this matter. Be this as it may. a 
Regular Baptist Church was organized there in a very early day. The names 
of ministers, etc., etc., is given in the township history. Other societies were 
perhaps formed in the county ; but, if so, they, with that near Salem, have long 
since become extinct, so that there is not one at present in the county, and has 
not been for many years. While we would not say anything disrespectful or 
disparaging of this venerable people, yet we cannot refrain from relating an 
anecdote of them, the truth of a part of which, at least, can be vouched for. 
In the palmy days of the Salem Church, Dr. Allen created considerable excite- 
ment on the temperance question, and many signed a pledge of total absti- 
nence. Among those signing the pledge was Minter Graham, 'the pioneer 
school teacher of this county, who was a member of the Baptist Church. So 
soon as this was known to the Church, Graham was tried and promptly turned 
out. Thus far, the story is true to the letter. But the story, as popularly told 
at the time, is to the effect that, on the same day that " Uncle Minter" was 
suspended, another brother was tried for getting drunk, and he, too, was 
expelled. After this, an old brother arose very solemnly, and, drawing a quart 
" llask " from his pocket, the bottle being about half-full of whisky, and, holding 
this steadily between his eye and the light, and inclining his head slightly 
to one side, addressed the congregation as follows : " Brethering, you have 
turned one member out because he would not drink, and another because he 
got drunk, and now I want to ask a question. It is this: How much of the 
critter does one have to drink in order to remain in full fellowship in the 
Church?" 



222 BISTORT OF MENARD COUNTY. 

We are not advised what answer was given t<» this important ipiestion. but. 
doubtless, there was a mediom well defined and understood by the ministry, if 
not by tin- laity. 

This denomination of people performed a very important part in the early 
history of the county, and its members were among the very best men and 
women of the entire population. Although they have ceased to exist here 
distinct body, yet their influence is still felt, and the results of their labors are 
seen on every hand. Scattered over the county are a number of persona who 
once belonged to this Church, but their numbers being too small to form a 
society in any locality, they are living out of regular connection with any 
y, calmly awaiting the transfer to the great "congregation above." 

ANTI-CALVTNIST BAPTI81 5. 

U before stated, the Baptists here, in an early day. were considerably 
divided, especially on the subject of Foreign and Domestic Missions. There 
were, beside the " Bard-Shells/' or Regulars, the Separate and the United Bap- 
tists; and these were divided into the Missionary and Anti-Missionary parties. 

The Anti-Missionary spirit, however, gradually declined, till, many year- 
there ceased to be any Baptists in the whole country, who opposed the mission- 
ary work, except the ■• Calvinists." No people can justly be said to be opposed 
to missions who enroll among their membership BUch characters as the 
Judsons. 

< Mary's Grove Baptist Church was organized on Christmas Day, 1824. 
This was the first Church organized in the limns of the county, and it was the 
focal point from which an influence radiated over the surrounding territory. P 
i our province, in writing the general history of the county, to enter into 
detail respecting each separate congregation. For thi>. the reader is referred 
to the several township histories. The early Baptist ministers, like all the Evan- 
gelical preachers of that time, were earnest, devoted and Belf-eacrificing in their 
labor.-. "Baker's Prairie" congregation of Baptists, three miles 

Petersburg, was organized at rather an early date \ ion was 

formed in Petersburg, early m the history of that town, which has flourished 

from that time. This church has a large and commodious house of worship? 
built of brick, ami out of debt. At present writing, they ha\ _ Jar Pas- 

tor. In Greenview, the Baptists have a substantial frame church, ami a toler- 
ably strong congregation. In Sand Ridge, there is a Baptist congregation; 
tiny worship in the New Hope Church, erected by the Cumberland Presbyteri- 
ans, and, by order of the Presbytery, under the control of the Concord Co; _ 

■ II. As full details are given elsewhere, we. will merely give a sumn 
here. The Baptist denomination have, in the county, four houses of worship, 
two brick ami tw.» frame. They have, also, some congregations having no 

church edifice. They form an important .lenient in society, I m inllu- 

' n.e for 2 1 that i> felt far and near. 




PETERSBURG. 




HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 225 

Several Baptist ministers are resident of the county. We cannot forbear to 
mention Rev. William Goklsby, who died only a month ago. Mr. Goldsby grew 
up from early youth in this county, professed religion here, spent his life here 
in the ministry, and died at his home, six miles southwest of Petersburg, on the 
13th of August, 1879. He was a man of but limited education, and possessed 
of nothing brilliant, intellectually ; but his straightforward integrity, unswerv- 
ing honesty and devoted piety gave him a wonderful power for good ; and while 
he was not regarded as an able preacher, yet, in his simple way, he won many 
to the way of righteousness, and will, doubtless, have many stars in his crown 
of rejoicing. His devored wife, who was in her usual health at the time of her 
husband's death, survived him only eleven days ; and they were buried, side by 
side. May they rest in peace. 

Elder Horney, of Greenview ; P. E. Clark, six miles east of Petersburg ; 
II. P. Curry, of Oak Ridge ; John Coffee, of Fancy Prairie, and George Bell, 
of Tallula, are all ministers of this Church, but not all actively engaged in the 
ministry. Fuller accounts of each are given in the precinct histories, and in 
the biographical portion of this work. 

THE M. E. CHURCH. 

It would seem eminently proper to have placed this denomination first in 
the history of churches in Menard County, for it is to all intents and purposes 
pioneer in its operations. Its policy for spreading the Gospel is exactly 
adapted to the wants and needs of new and sparsely settled sections of 
country. The itinerant system, so long practiced and brought to such perfec- 
tion among the Methodists, is the method of sending the Gospel to the remote 
settlements. It is not surprising then, that the Methodist "circuit-rider" is 
found in every new country. The first Methodist that ever settled in Illinois 
was Capt. Joseph Ogle, who settled here in 1785. The first preacher of the 
Church to come into the State was Rev. Joseph Lillard, who formed the first 
society in the State. This class met in the house of Capt. Ogle, in St. Clair 
County, and he was appointed the leader. Some years later, Rev. John Clark, 
who had preached in the Carolinas from 1791 to 1796, desiring to get beyond 
the limits of slavery, wandered westward, and was the first to preach Methodism 
west of the Mississippi River, and subsequently came to Illinois. Rev. Hosea 
Riggs was the first local preacher to settle in the State. The first regular work 
of the Church in the State under authority of Conference, was in 1803, when 
Rev. Benjamin Young was appointed missionary to the State by the Western 
Conference holding its session at Mt. Gerizim, Ky. In 1804, the missionary 
reported s/.rty-seven members in the State. In 180G, Rev. Jess Walker was 
sent to the State: lie was a man of great zeal and energy. He held the first 
camp-meeting in the State during this year. This meeting awakened a revival 
interest, which was felt in nearly all the settlements in the State. At the close 
of the year, he reported 218 members. The Western Conference then 



226 HI8T0R1 OF Mi:N \i:i» COUNTY. 

included Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and all the Northwest. In L812, it was 
divided, and Tennessee and Illinois formed a Conference. La 1816, the M s- 
Boari Conference was formed, and Dlinois was included in this. In l v _'l. 
Illinois Conference was formed, including Illinois and Indiana. In l£ 
[ndiana was separated from it. We speak of this to show the rapidity with 
which the Church increased in the sparsely settled regions of the West and 
\ th. Prom about the close of the war of L812, the itinerants of the M. E. 
Church were constantly traversing the country from East to West, and from 
North to South, organizing classes wherever opportunity offered. There are no 
means of learning who the first minister of this denomination was who first 
preached in Menard County. We have positive proof that in the summi 
1820, a class was formed in the settlement near where Athens now stands. 
One James Stringfield was perhaps the first Methodist preacher in the county; 
certainly he was the first local preacher who settled here. Be came in 1819 
or in the early part of 1820. About the time thai the class was formed near 
Athens, or not long after, a society was formed west of the river, hut its pn 
locality cannot be determined. The matter is nol positively decided, hut it is 
believed that the fust regular circuit formed included the on both - 

of the Sangamon River. In L821 or L822, a regular circuit was laid out, 
including the classes here. Rev. Isaac Souse was the first preacher placed on 
! ; Mr. Simms was Presiding ESlder. The Methodists, per- 
haps (in fact, it is absolutely certain i. built the first house of worship that was 
ted in the county ; this was in the year \^.~>. This house was built on 
the farm of Mr. Harry Riggin. The land was donated by Mr. Riggin, with 
the understanding that it was to revert to him or hi- heii a as it ceased 

to he used for religious purposes. This was a neat hewed-log building, 22 
feet. It had glass windows by chance : we say by chance, because Mr. Rij 
brought quite a large quantity of window-glass with him when he can, 
Illinois, and thi- was part of his contribution. This house was used constantly 
till about 1X39 or 1840, when it was Bold, and is now a barn on the farm of 
Henry Rankin. The proceeds, with a considerable subscription added, was 
expended in the erection of a new frame church in Athens. This house was 
built about the year 1840, and is <till used by the M. E. Church there. 

This portion of the Church has heon hlessed with the service- of very able 

men. The venerable Peter Akers, l»- D., was for years Presiding Elder of this 
district. Peter Cartwright, of national reputation, was ESlder of the district 

longer than any other man. and Dr. Akers next Cartwright has preached in 

every part of the county: indeed, we might say in almost every -rove of tim- 
ber. The fruit- of the labors of this people arc t.. l,e seen in every locality. 
The denomination ha-, in the county, four church edifices, three frame, and one 
brick. (This, of course, is exclusive of the Free Methodist Church at Athens, 
and the German M. B. Church on Sand Ridge . Besides these, there are sev- 
eral classes having no house of worship. A large volume might he written. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 22T 

giving interesting accounts of the labors of the Methodists here. The minis 
in the county at present, areas follows: Rev. Mr. Coombs, in Petersburg : Rev. 
Mr. Eckman, at Athens ; Rev. Mr. Finity, at Greenview. These are on the 

circuits in the county, and the only local preachers are Rev. Starling Turner 
(he being a Protestant), and Rev. F. E. Foster, Greenview. 

Reminiscences of Methodist ministers rush on our mind, demanding to be 
recorded, but, if the flood-gate is once opened, no telling where the end will be. 
But, in imagination the portly form and smiling face of Rev. Barrett rises up, 
and with the face an interminable store of remembered incidents. That eve, 
so full of humor, looks out on the world no more ; the voice, so sweet in 
persuasion, so dire in denunciation, and so convincing in argument, is long since 
silent in death, but those who knew him will never forget the power of his 
pulpit efforts, or the unrivaled point and potency of his witticisms. Ever a 
devoted and consistent Christian, but at the same time ever ready to see th< 
ludicrous phase of everything, and lead others to see, and, with his anecdotes, to 
convulse everything with merriment. Sometimes, though seldom, this char- 
acteristic of the man would manifest itself in the pulpit, and when this was the 
case, the house was sure to be " brought down." Pardon one illustration, kind 
reader, and we will pledge ourselves to give but the one. 

Mr. Barrett was a plain Western man, used to Western habits and customs. 
He was also blessed with a powerful physical constitution, and being a man of 
very active habits, his nature demanded, and he relished most heartily, good, 
plain, wholesome food. At one time, he was on a circuit, one of the preach- 
ing points being in a settlement of New England people, and most of the class 
were "Yankees." Of course, their manners differed widely from his, and 
especially in the matter of diet, they were totally unlike. In that early day, 
"sweetmeats" were scarce, and those Eastern people had no idea of eating 
meat like the Western people. They lived nearly without meat, and the inev- 
itable " pumpkin-pie " was nearly the standard part of their food. Brother 
Barrett visited different houses, but it was everywhere the same — pumpkin-pie 
confronted him where'er he went. At last, almost starving, he hinted very 
broadly that he wanted meat, but all of no avail. Finally, one Sabbath morn- 
ing, wdien a large congregation had assembled, he decided to present his case in 
prayer. So, when they bowed for the opening prayer, after addressing the 
throne of grace for a time, he continued : " Oh, Lord, we thank Thee for this 
good land, for this productive soil, and for sunshine and shower. And we 
pray Thee, oh, Lord, if Thou canst bless under the Gospel, what Thou didst 
curse under the law. that Thou wilt bless the hogs. Oh, may they fatten and 
thrive : and do Thou send abundant crops of corn, that they may be made fat, that 
Thy servants may have meat to eat, that they may grow strong to serve Thee 
and do Thy Will. Oh, Lord, we pray Thee to blight the pumpkin crop. Send 
blasting and mildew on every vine, for Thou knowest we cannot serve Thee on the 
strength they give.'' He then went on and closed his prayer in the usual way. 



BI8T0RY OP MEN WW COUNTY. 

Sull - iv that the brethren took the hint, and after that Brother Barrett 

had eat. Theforej iterally true, otherwise, a number of 

men of unimpeachable character for truth and veracity have stated falsely. 
I; Mr. Barrett lived and continued to preach till some time during l"T v : 
during that year, while living in Jacksonville, he went to an appointment at 
Chapel, in the Sangamon Bottom, in Cass County, and preached morn- 
ing and evening with his usual power and energy. Retired at nighl as well as 
usual, ami was a corpse in a few hours. Thus passed away ti itric, 

though faithful and successful minister of the Gospel. The M. E. Church 
could bo si many faithful and devoted men among her early minis! 

ag well as ami e of later years. This Church is still, with great energy 

and zeal, performing her part of the work in sending the Gospel to men in this 
county. She has here a large, d -voted and wealthy membership, and a faith- 
ful and zealous mini-try. 

Till: DISCIP] 

This body of people, known as Disciples, Christians or Church <>f Christ, 
had its origin in W Pennsylvania. It originated thus: In 1809, Th 

Campbell, aided by hie u . Uexander Campbell, both of whom were Pr< 
terian minis-. ming deeply impressed with what they regarded as the 

livisions among professed Christian people, made an effort to bring 
about a union of all, not intending to start another " see! " or party. It 
was thought that taking the Bible alone, without any standard of interpreta- 
tion, would do this. Quite a number of people, mostly Presbyterians, went 
into this enterprise. Soon the question of the mode and subject of baptism 
was mo,.ted among them, and this resulting in a rejection, by the majority, of 
infant baptism and affusion : the body becoming thus one of immersed believers, 
they were Boon united with the Redstone Baptist Association. Not manyyi 
after this, view- were developed at variance with the Baptist Church, and the 
were formed into a new Beet. About three years before the 
beginning of the move by the Campbells in Pennsylvania, a Presbyterian min- 
ister in Kentucky had tried to bring about a union of all Christians on the I 
of the Bible alone. This movement was introduced and led by one Barton W. 

Stone, who had been for years a Prc-hy terian minister. lie had collected 

quite a little hand together, and, after considerable time spent in controverting 
various points by the two leaders, a union of the two parties, forming when 
united quite a large body. The followers of Stone were called New Lights, 
while Campbell's party was denominated " Disciples." But, for sake of *\\<- 
tinction, some persons who belonged to neither called one party Stoneites and 
the other Campbellites ; neither were these names given in reproach, hut merely 
to distinguish them. For many years after the union of the two parties, the 
name " New Lights" was kept up. ami thus applied to l! 
after the consolidation ofthe two, they began work in earnest, sending out mis- 
- to various pan- of the country. It is almost certain that the ■• New 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 229 

Lights," as they were called here, sent preachers into this part of Qlinoi 

early as any, unless it was the Methodists and Hard-Shell Baptists. As said 
before, Rev. Mr. House, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first 
preacher in the county, and it is probable that old Mr. Crow, the Regular 
Baptist, was the next. As early as 1820 or 1821, a New Light preacher of the 
name of Henderson came to Sugar Grove, and preached in the cabin of 
Roland Grant, but there is no evidence that he ever attempted to organize a 
society. Not very long after this, Barton W. Stone himself preached in Clary's 
Grove, which he did several times after. He was followed by Sidney Rigdon, 
then a New Light, but who afterward became a Mormon, becoming one of the 
twelve apostles of that Church, and visiting various parts of Europe as a mis- 
sionary. A congregation of " Disciples " was formed in Clary's Grove as early 
as 1827, and a few years after, they erected a " log meeting-house." This log 
church was occupied for several years, when a new frame edifice was erected. 
This last served them till after the village of Tallulawas laid out and settled up. 
The Church, seeing- that this village was destined to be the center of the com- 
munity, they disposed of their house in the grove, and, just at the close of the 
late war, they erected in the village the large and commodious house in which 
they now worship. The date of the organization of the u Disciples' " Church 
in Sugar Grove is not definitely known, but it was at a very early day, as all 
admit. This soon became a very strong and prosperous body, and was for 
many years the largest and most wealthy congregation in the county. It con- 
tinued [to hold this enviable reputation till about 1867, when misfortune 
seemed to overtake it, and, in a short time, it was nearly annihilated. This 
happened in thiswise: One J. K. Spears, of Indiana, a man of more than 
average ability, was employed as Pastor. At first, his preaching was in con- 
formity with the doctrines of the Church ; but it was not long till he began to 
drop expressions occasionally that pointed to materialism very strongly. When 
interviewed on the subject, he boldly affirmed the doctrine of "soul-sleeping," 
denying, in toto, all spiritual existence, and, as a consequence, denying the 
immortality of man, except in the resurrected body. He also taught that the 
Bible clearly affirmed the second advent of Christ as being just at hand. Such 
was his influence and tact, that he carried off with him about one-half of the 
entire congregation, among them some of the most influential, intelligent and 
wealthy of the entire flock. They all seemed utterly demented; they were 
re-baptized, and some of them were ready for months to start, at a day's warn- 
ing, to Jerusalem, to meet the Savior there. Others believed that he would 
make his appearance right in Menard County, and some actually made the 
remark that they expected to go fishing with Christ in Salt Creek. Mr. Spear 
would not preach for a stipulated salary, as he regarded it as very sinful to do 
so; all he wanted was a simple support for himself and family; but he was 
exceedingly careful to have the support specified in every particular, bo that it 
aggregated more than any salary paid in all this region, hence, he and his did 



230 HISTORY OF MENARD 001 NTT. 

literally "fere sumptuously every day." In order to the quiet of thee 

munity (for I ment was r-heat for months), a public discussion 

'•■•I. and Elder Linn, of Indiana, met Mr. Spear in open con 

The debate, perhaps, did n it do much toward quieting the troubled 

waters; but, after the people had anxiously awaited the coming of Christ for 

ul months, they began to grow incredulous ; the enthusiasm died <>ut. and 

.then the revenues almost entirely failed. This was hint enough for Mr. Spear, 

wrho, in a short time, like the "star of empire," t < •< -k his way westward. In 

an incredibly short time, -ill mention of" soul-sleeping " ceased to be made. As 

far ;i- ire can now learn, all those who followed Mr. S. in his folly are now 

open and avowed infidels. We often wonder what the feelings and thoughts 

now are of those who were al one time so enthusiastic as to become teachers of 

the new faith, but arc now blasphemously profane! Theold Church has never 

fully recovered from this blow, though it is gradually approximating its former 

strength. 

Tip Church in Petersburg is of comparatively recent origin. In August, 
1875, Elder D. R. Lucas came to this place, bringing with him a tent, capable 
of holding eight hundred or one thousand people. In this heoonducted a pro- 
tracted meeting of about six week-' continuance, which resulted in the addition 
•mething near one hundred pers >na to the Church. Immediately after 
the dose of this meeting, an effort was made to build a house of worship. These 
efforts were crowned with Buccess, and before the next spring, a neat brick 
edifice, some 40x60 feet, and finished in beautiful style, was ready i'><r use. 
Elder M. M. Goode was engaged as Pastor, who still serves his people to the 
entire satisfaction of all. Being an intelligent, eloquent and very Bociable gen- 
tleman, he commands the respect and friendship of all clac 

Of the Church in Athens and Qreenview, the reader is referred to the his- 
tory of those townships. 

This <'hurch has in Menard County five church edifices and as many pros- 
perous congregations. The ministers in the county arc: Elder Breeden, Pas- 
tor at Tallula; W. W. Linn, near Tallula, not now actively engaged in the 
ministry; M. M. Goode, Petersburg; I>. T. Eughes, Greenview; Dr. Engle, 
Athens; Elder Hughes, Sweetwater, and G. A. Davis, Petersburg;, not now 
actively engaged. 

The Disciples are an intelligent, liberal and enterprising people, keeping 

full pace with the age in all that advances and elevates the people. 
[ in: 01 Mi:i:i:l. \\l> PRESB1 DERI kN8. 

About the close of the last century, the state of spiritual religion had reached 

tially in Kentucky and Tennessee. Th ins of 

that region had fallen into a cold formalism that was truly fearful. A promi- 

nent Elder of the Church, Bpeaking of thai period, says that be sat for twenty years 

under the mini-try of an able l»" tor of Divinity, and in all that time he d 



HISTORY" OF MENARD COUNTY. 231 

heard him speak directly of the work of the Spirit in regeneration. While no 
body of people, as such, insist more strongly on the necessity of divine power 
in the salvation of the sinner, yet so many formalists had entered the Church 
that vital piety was almost extinct. 

About this time, Rev. James McGready, who had been preaching seven 
years, was, by accident, awakened, sought religion and was powerfully con- 
verted. From this time, he turned his energies to arouse the Church. The result 
was a powerful revival of religion spreading over all that region. The Church 
was divided into a revival and anti-revival party. Some of the revival party 
could not accept the doctrines of the Westminster Confession touching fore- 
knowledge and decrees, believing that it taught fatality. 

The Church was organized February 4, 1810, in Tennessee. Hence, it 
could not be expected to have spread very far as early as the first settling of 
this country, in 1819 and 1820, especially when we remember that it had its 
origin as far south as the southeast part of Tennessee, near the Kentucky line. 
It is, however, true, notwithstanding this fact, that ministers of this Church 
found their way into Illinois before the Church was fifteen years old. 

The Church in Menard County. — The first preacher of this denomination 
who visited this part of the State was John McCutchen Berry. He was born 
in the " Old Dominion," March 22, 1788. His education was limited. When 
twenty-two years of age, he made a public profession of faith in Christ, and 
united with the C. P. Church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and par- 
ticipated in the battle of New Orleans. He was licensed to preach by the 
Logan Presbytery, in Tennessee, in 1819; and in 1822, was ordained by the 
same body. In 1820, he had removed to Indiana, but he returned to Tennes- 
see to attend Presbytery. A few years later, he removed to Sangamon County, 
111., settling in the limits of what is now Menard County, on Rock Creek. 
This section of country was then in the bounds of Illinois Presbytery, and so 
remained until the spring of 1829, when Sangamon Presbytery was organized. 
Mr. Berry had organized the Sugar Creek congregation, ten miles south of 
Springfield. 

Revs. Gilbert Dodds.and Thomas Campbell had migrated from Kentucky 
some years before the year 1829; both being licensed preachers when they 
came ; were soon after ordained by the Presbytery of Illinois. Mr. Dodds set- 
tled on a farm some five miles south of Petersburg, where he resided until his 
death. 

Synod — Old Cumberland Synod — ordered the organization of Sangamon 
Presbytery, and, agreeably to this order, the ministers and a few Elders met, 
at the house of William Drennan, on Sugar Creek, the 20th of April, 1 E 
and held its first meeting. The ministers were John M. Berry, Gilbert Dodds, 
Thomas Campbell, David Foster and John Porter, Mr. Berry, by order of 
Synod, acting as Moderator, and Gilbert Dodds as Clerk. Mr. Berry preached 
the opening sermon, from Matthew, xvi, 15. The Elders present were: Joseph 



HI8T0RY OP MEN UtD COUNTY. 

Dodds, representing Sugar Creek ; John Hamilton, from Bethel, and Samuel 
Berry, from Concord and Lebanon. There were also present, John M. Cam- 
eron, William McCord ami Ncill Johnson, licentiates ; Payton Mitchell and 
Archibald Johnson, candidates. Needham Roach, a licentiate from Nashville 

bytery was received under the care of this. Tin- - tery 

also discontinued Payton Mitchell as ;i candidate under ite 

A- Rev. John M. Berry was the first minister of thia Church who preached 
in this county, it i> due t<> history to give a brief description of him. As before 

1. owing to bia early surroundings, his education was limited ; but his 
natural powers of mind wen' very far above the average. He was independent 
in his manner of thought, gentle and kind, but uncompromising in his op] 
tion to all that he thought to be wrong. He waa charitable in bia feeling* 
the views of others, but unyielding in liis convictions until convinced by the 
force of argument. As a speaker, he waa plain. Bolemn and unassuming, making 
no effort at display or show; but, possessing a commanding presence and a 
voice at once full of power and a persuasive attractiveness, he was in every way 
qualified to exert a great power ever an audience. Though usually full of 
force and logic, yet Bometimes, when warmed with the inspiring power of his 
subject, he arose almost to sublimity, and at Buch times his solemn and earnest 
appeal- uciv almost irresist ihle. Hi- method of argument waa of the 
logical character, and when hilly aroused by-the importance of his subject, he 

ed to carry everything before him. His character, and the estimate in 

which he was held, can he. t<> -mne degree, illustrated by relating an inci 
in the early history of this country. The reader is doubtless awar< of the fact 
that the lamented Abraham Lincoln waa engaged in the grocery trade at < »hl 
Salem, in this county, in an early day. A son of Mr. Berry was, for a tine, a 

partner <>f Mr. Lincoln in the grocery, and it is probable that intoxicants were 

Bold by them : in fact, this i< generally conceded t<> be true. Be this a- it may, 

Mr. Kerry's -on contracted habits of dissipation in some way. and ultimately 
became an utter wreck, dying a most horrid death. Tins was a blow from 
which the father never fully recovered; tut a deep, dark shadow seemed ever 
after to he <a-t over his mind. It appears that during the partnership in the 
store that the father strove hard to dissuade his -on from a life of intemperance. 

but failed. His labora were not lost, however, for the counsel, though log 

the son. made a lasting impression on Mr. Lincoln. Tears after the 

the partner-hip. when Lincoln had reached a position of eminence in the ] 

prof- grog-shop in a certain community was having a had influence upon 

men who were married, and whose wives Buffered by the evil. These 

injured wives, on a en-tain OCCS8ion, gathered together and made a raid on the 
vile den. demolished the barrels, broke Up the decanters and demijohns, and 

played havoc with things generally. For thia the ladies were prosecuted, and 
Mr. Lincoln volunteered his services for their defense. In the midst of a 
powerful argument upon the evil- of the use of. and the traffic in. intoxicating 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 233 

spirits, while all in the crowded room were most intensely interested and many 
bathed in tears, the speaker turned and, pointing his long, bony finger toward 
where the venerable Berry was standing, said: " There stands the man who, 
years ago, was instrumental in convincing me of the evils of trafficking in and 
using ardent spirits. I am glad that I ever saw him. I am glad that I ever heard 
his testimony on this terrible subject." This was a higher honor than to have 
been made the Chief Magistrate of the nation. Such an encomium from such 
a man speaks volumes in praise of Mr. Berry's influence for good. 

Such is a brief sketch of the pioneer of Cumberland Presbyterianism in the 
State of Illinois. Mr. Berry died as he had lived, with his armor on, in the 
winter of 1856-57, in the town of Clinton, De Witt Co., 111., where he had 
lived for several years. His early colaborers were equally earnest, pious ami 
devoted to their work. Dodds, Campbell and others will ever be remembered 
with warmest gratitude by the people of that Church. 

Some of the old citizens are firm in their convictions that the Lebanon con- 
gregation of the C. P. Church, was the first Church organized in the county, 
though the writer is fully convinced that Clary's Grove Baptist Church is older 
by a year or more. In 1829, the Lebanon congregation, six miles east of Peters- 
burg, and Concord, four miles north, were represented in Presbytery. Lebanon 
was organized, perhaps, in 1825 or 1826, and Concord a year or two later. The 
Cumberland Presbyterians were accustomed, from their first introduction in this 
part of Illinois, to hold camp-meetings every summer. These meetings were held 
in various communities, as Lebanon, Concord, Rock Creek, Irish Grove, Salt 
Creek, and various other places. This custom was kept up till some twenty 
years ago. The Church grew and prospered from the first, and at the present 
time it. perhaps, has a larger membership than any other denomination in the 
county. The following is a list of the congregation and Pastors in the county : 
Irish Grove, Rev. J. T. May ; Fancy Prairie, Rev. J. S. Stevenson: Greenview, 
Rev. James White ; Rock Creek, Rev. J. Momire ; Petersburg, Rev. R. D. 
Miller ; Concord, Rev. A. H. Goodpasture ; besides these there are Tallula. New 
Hope and Lebanon congregations that, at present, are without Pastors. The fol- 
lowing additional ministers of this Church live in the county: Revs. James 
Knoles and C. B. Parkhurst, who are engaged in teaching. Thus it will he 
seen that there are nine congregations and eight ministers in the county. 
Each congregation has a good and finished house of worship, except Petersbuii:-, 
which, at this writing — July. 1879 — has a good and neat brick edifice nearly 
ready for occupancy. A detail of the history of each of these congregations 
will be found in the history of the several toAvnships in which they are situated. 

Till: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.' 

When Diedrich Knickerbocker set about writing the history of New York, 
that his subject might have a broad foundation, he went back to the beginning 

*We are indebted for this sketch of the Presbyterian Churches, to Ber. John Crazier. Pastor of North Sangamon, 
Church at Indian Point. — 1.'. D, H 



234 BISTORT OF MEN LED I 01 NTY. 

of the world. In giving a sketch of the Presbyterian Church, in Menard 
County, we may not go back as far in order of time, and yet, it may into 
those who read this sketch to know something of the early planting of* the 
sbyterian Church in Illinois, and especially this central portion, where <>ur 
lot is cast. In 1797, just three yean after Anthony Waynes victory over the 
Indiana at tin- battle of the Fallen Timber, and five years before Ohio waa 
admitted into the Union aa a State, and when all the vast territor I by 

- of Ohio, Indiana and Ellinoia was yet under Territorial government, 
an effort waa made by a Presbyterian minister to plant the Gospel ordinances of 
Christ according to the Westminster Standards, upon the Boil of Illinois. Et< . 
John K. Finley, a Presbyterian minister from Chester County, Penn., to Mason 
County, Ky., coveted the privilege of being the first to plant the Church of 

Christ upon the territory of the future great Slate <>f Illinois: and also in the 

Louisiana Territory, in what ia now the State of Missouri. In 1797, Mr. Fin- 
ley descended the Ohio River in a keel-boat, with Beveral of hia neighbors, 
membera of the Presbyterian Church, and ascended the Mississippi, ami landed 
at Kaskaskia, with the bold design of planting the standard of the Cross in the 
Spanish Colonies west of the Mississippi River. Mr. Finley probably hail 
ultimate reference to a mission among the Indians. He preached the Gospel, 
catechised and baptised Beveral of the " red men." But, in a Bhort time, he wa- 
led to abandon the enterprise. A few yeara later, while Capts. Lewis and 
Clark, under the recommendation of President Jefferson and by appointment of 
Congress, were exploring a route over the Rocky Mountain-, and descending the 
Columbia to the Pacific, earnest ministera of Christ were planning the conquest 
of these regions for Christ. In the years 1804, 1805 and L806, short mission- 
ary excursiona were made to the vicinity of Vmcennes by Rev. Messrs. Samuel 
flannels, Samuel 15. Robinson, Jamee McGrady and Thomaa Cleland, membera 
of the Presbytery of Transylvania in the State of Kentucky. As the result of 
these labors, the First Presbyterian Chinch was organized in Indiana, near 

Vincennes, and was then named, and still i- known as Indiana Church. This 

in L806. During the yeara L810, L811, and also in L814 and 1816, Rev. 

Jamee McGrady spent a considerable time in the southern counties of Indiana. 

and in Illinois, and in L816, or Bome accounts say. in 1814, Mr. McGrady 

•li/.ed Sharon Church in White County. This wa- the first Presbyterian 

<'iiurch in Illinois, and its honored name still stands on the roll of the Presby- 
of ( 'airo. 

About the same time, Revs. J. F. Schemerhorn and Samuel .). Mills visited 
Kaskaskia, and left a deep impression of their zeal and fidelity, especially in 
tin- family of Qov. Ninian Edwards. At that time, there' was not a town of a 
thousand iiihahitants in Indiana. Illinois or Miasouri, unless it waa Madison. 

\ incennes or St. Louis. Sparse settlements were scattered along the eastern 

part of [llinoia aa far north a- tin- Vermilion, and on the west Bide BS far north 

' lincy. All the northern part of the State wa- a wilderness, with here 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY, 235 

and there an Indian trading-post. Peoria was Ft. Clark, and Chicago only 
appears on the maps as Ft. Dearborn. The fort was on the south side of the 
Chicago River, and on the north side just opposite was John Kinzie's agency 
and trading-post. A few mud and stick shanties along the river near the 
agency, and at Wolf Point on the west side, was all the town there was on the 
site of the great city of Chicago. In 1821, Rev. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, the 
founder of Blackburn University, was in the full tide of his popularity as a 
most effective preacher of the Gospel. He passed through the State and held 
a camp-meeting at Shoal Creek, in Bond County, where there was a great out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit, and many were converted, and a church was there 
formed. Rev. Abraham Williamson, from Princeton, N. J., also Rev. Messrs. 
( Irrin Catlin and Daniel G. Sprague, from Andovcr, Mass., preached in that 
part of the State and organized a church at Carrollton. In 1825, Rev. John 
M. Ellis arrived in Illinois, and spent a year or two with the Church of Kas- 
kaskia. About the same time, the Rev. John Birch, a Scotsman who had 
spent his earlier years in his native country and in England, came to America, 
and, after a few years in Southern and Western Ohio, came to Morgan County, 
111., where the village of Jacksonville had lately been laid out. Here he 
labored, and had organized a church before any one came to his aid. He was 
succeeded by Mr. Ellis, who, besides his zeal as a preacher of the Gospel, had 
initiated those movements which led to the establishment of Illinois College. 
Mr. Ellis was one of the seven ministers who were organized into the first 
Presbytery of Illinois, known as the Center Presbytery of Illinois. 

January 30, 1828, a church was organized by Mr. Ellis at Springfield, and 
was called the Sangamon Church, after the name of the river near which, and 
the county in which it was located. This Church was composed of nineteen 
members, of whom only five lived in the village of Springfield, and these were 
all women. The membership was scattered over a region of twenty miles 
around, and several of them (Messrs. John and. John N. Moore) in what is now 
Menard County. It is worthy of note that this organization was made in the 
house of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, widow of Dr. John Blair Smith, a very eminent 
man in his day, and once the President of Hampden and Sidney College, Vir- 
ginia. The Church of Edwardsville was also organized in her house, when she 
lived there in 1819. The original Elders of the Sangamon Church at Spring- 
field were John Moore, Samuel Reid, Isaiah Stillman and John N. Moore. 
Ever since about 1820, people from different parts of Kentucky had begun to 
settle on Indian Creek, then a part of Sangamon County. Many of these were 
Presbyterians and Cumberland Presbyterians. The Presbyterians had united 
with the Sangamon Church ; but it was impossible that they should have the 
full benefit of the privileges of a church twenty miles away, with high waters 
and often impassable roads between. Soon after the Sangamon Church was 
organized, the Rev. John G. Bergen, lately from New Jersey, began his labors 
as the Pastor of the Church. But he did not confine his labors to Springfield, 



HISTORY OP MENARD I OUNTY. 

but made extended missionary tours in every direction, and p the Word 

wherever an opportunity offered. Daring the winter of 1828-29, Mr. B 
visited Vandalia, then the capital of tl • - ml preached before the L< 

lature. < »ii bis return, in January, 1829, he went to the Moore neighbor] 
'•ii Indian Creek, and there formed the acquaintance of ESlder John Moore, the 
patriarch of e family. Mr. Moore was a Virginian by birth, but had 

emigrated to Kentucky in early life, while the Indians were still :i terror to the 
white settlers. Be is represented as having b tly useful in plant 

byterianism in the Green River country. He passed through the great 
revival at the beginning of the century, and took an active part in it. but 

which it was characterized. His wonderful 
knowledge of the deep things of (rod began with the study of an old turn and 

erless book, which he found in the garret of his father's In. use. •• Law 

th, and Gospel Life" was its title, probably written by Dr. Bellamy. This 
book he read, and reread, until its thoughts were inwrought into the very 
ure of his soul. Mr. Moore came to Indian Creek in 1 v i!"_'. After M 
came to Springfield, he found in Mr. Moore a warm and trusted friend, and 
was his companion in many a preaching tour. It is related of him that 
during the summer before the deep snow, they rode together 130 miles north to 
organize a church in Union Grove, in what is now La Salle County. <>n their 
return. Mr. Bergen preached at Holland's Grove, where the town of Was! 
ton now stand-, a few miles i Peoria. At this aervice, nearly all the 

ers were present for -even miles around, including a company of Potawat- 
omie Indians who, by invitation, attended the service, flling in one by one, and 
taking their seats on the floor, near the minister. 

In 1 832, the time had come when it was thought that the interests of r< 1 
required a Beparate Presbyterian church organization north of the Sangamon 
River. On the 20th of May, 1832, a meeting was appointed at the Lebanon 
"Meeting-house," the place of worship of the Cumberland Presbyterians. Mr. 
Bergen preached an appropriate sermon, after which a church was organized, 
consisting of thirty-two members, all presenting letters from the Sangamon 
('hureh. at Springfield, and, as this church was on the north side of the Sanga- 
mon River, it very appropriately chose the name of the North Sangamon 
Church, the name which it still hears. The names of the original men 

weii' a- follows, viz.: Elijah Scott, John Stone. Andrew Moore, Samuel Mi 

Alexander Barnett, David Walker. Milton Rayburn, Phoebe M e, 1 

phen Stone. Ann Barnett, John N. Moore, Mary Moore, • 
Patterson, Panthy Harnett. Hannah Baxter, Jane Rayburn, Polly Walker. 

Matdda Walker. Elizabeth Walker, dam- Walker. Ann Walker. John M 

Ambers Stone, Jane Scott, Lucy Stone, Tolly Catherine Stone, Jane 

■:. Isabella Walker, Alexander Walker and William Stotts. At the - 
time, the following persons were received on profession of their faith in Christ : 
John Allen, Henry C. Rogers. Sarah II. Rogers and Elizabeth Patters 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 237 

John Moore, John N. Moore, aad Alexander Walker, were elected Ruling 
Elders. As their first place of worship, the North Sangamon Church occupied, 
a part of the time, the log meeting-house built by the Lebanon congregation of 
the C. P. Church, and then they assisted the Cumberland brethren in building 
a frame church, which has since been replaced by their present commodious 
brick church. In consideration of aid thus rendered, the North Sangamon con- 
gregation had the use of the Lebanon house of worship one-half the time until 
1844, when they built a frame church of their own. 28x36 feet, which was 
occupied seventeen years, until 1867, when the present brick edifice was finished 
and dedicated to the worship of the Almighty God, with appropriate services by 
John G. Bergen, D. D., who had organized the church thirty-five years before. 
Rev. George W. F. Birch, Pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church in Spring- 
field, assisted in the services. As to ministers who have served this church. 
either by invitation of the Session, or by appointment of Presbytery, we may 
mention the honored names of Rev. William K. Steward, Rev. Thomas A. Spill- 
man, also Rev. George W. McKinley, who often supplied the church and pre- 
sided in the Session. The first minister who regularly supplied this church, was 
the Rev. Samuel Foster, a licentiate from New England, who was ordained as 
an evangelist by the Presbytery of Sangamon, in the year 1833. Mr. Foster 
served this church only a little more than one year. The measure of success 
attending his ministry does not appear from the records. But the his- 
tory of this church seems to be marked with frequent additions on pro- 
fession of faith. After Mr. Foster left, the church remained vacant for 
nearly a year. when, in 1835, Rev. Alexander Ewing entered upon his labors. 
His name first appears as Moderator of the Session, at the house of Mr. 
Stephen Stone, in Irish Grove, March 22, 1835. On the 13th of June fol- 
lowing, thirteen persons were received by letter. North Sangamon Church, 
which had only had a separate existence of four years, was now about " to 
become two bands." At a meeting of the Session held April 2, 1836, Mr. 
Bergen presiding, it was resolved to apply to the Presbytery of Sangamon for 
a separate organization at Irish Grove. Preparatory to such organization, thirty- 
one persons, living at and near Irish Grove, asked for, and obtained letters from 
the North Sangamon Session, with a view of uniting in the new organization. 
The Irish Grove Church was soon after formed, and Mr. Ewing, who lived at 
the grove, gave half his time to that church,, and the remainder to the church 
at North Sangamon. This arrangement continued until the beginning of the 
year 1S:'>7. when the controversies between the New and Old School cul- 
minated in a separation in 1838. The North Sangamon Church adhered to 
the Old School Assembly, and remained in connection with the Presbytery of 
Sangamon, afad was without a settled Pastor from early in 1837, until late in 
1838. At this time Rev. John W. Little, of the Central Cono-re^ational Asso- 
ciution of New York, was received by the Presbytery, and became the stated sup- 
ply of this church and Irish Grove, giving one-half of his time to each church. 



BISTORT OF MEN kRD COUNTY. 

This relation continued with mutual good-will, until Mr. Little's death, in June, 
1MJ. The church was then supplied by Rev. Thomas Gait, for one-half 
time until 1850, or nearly seven and one-half years. In the third year of Mr. 

- ministry there a quite a revival, and nineteen pei 

added to the church on profession of faith. In November, L849, Rev. 
William Perkins began to supply this church <>n the alternate Sabbaths, when 
Mr. Gait preached a. [rish Grove. Mr. Perkins continued his labors until 

mber 1. 1851. They were then without a Pastor until the tall <>f 1- 
when Rev. R. A. Criswell began his labors, ami. in November of that year. 
Mr. Or i swell was ordained and installed Pastor, and continued his labors until 

mber 1. L866, when he resigned bis charge, and ceased tn minister to 
church. In April. 1867, his pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery. 

pastorate Beems t<> have been much blessed. During the thirteen years of 
Mr. Criswell's ministry there were sixty-three additions on profession, anil forty- 
nine on certificate, clearly showing that the continued pastorate of one man with 
ordinary faithfulness is more conduciv* to Church growth than frequent chai 

after Mr. < Iris well's resignation Rev , R. A . Van Pelt, formerly from Pennsyl- 
vania, but more recently from Wisconsin, began to serve the church, and continued 
as the stated supply for aboul two year- with a reasonable measure of bu< 

During the summer of 1869, after Mr. Van Pelt ceased his ministrations in 
the church, Rev. Mr. Reese supplied the church for i Bhort time, but his health 
failing, he was obliged to give up his charge, and eventually to retire entirely 
from the work of the ministry, [n the fall of 1869, the church invitcl R 
John Crozier, then Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, Ohio, 
to become their Pastor. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. C. began his 
ministry in this church about the middle of November, 1869. In March fol- 
lowing, at a regular congregational meeting, with Rev. S. J. Bogle, of M 
City, presiding, the church made out a regular ami unanimous call for the 
labors of Mr. Crozier as their settled Pastor. This call was duly presented to 
the Presbytery of Sangamon, in session in the First Presbyterian Church of 
Springfield, in April, 1870, ami. being found in order, was placed in the bands 
of the Pastor elect aid accepted, ami. in August following, the installation 
consummated, Rev. Messrs. I'. J. Strain. .1. D. Kerr and F. -I. Moffatl as the 
Committee of Presbytery taking part in the services. This relation still con- 
tinues at the date of this sketch, September, 1^7'.'. with mutual good-will ami 
confidence between Pastor and people. During tin- period, many chan 
taken place, which have materially affected the progress of the church. Many 
have been removed by death, ami many persons owning -mall farm- have sold 
to larger land-holders, and I to other places. By this i her.- 

n an actual decrease of population. Duringthe present pastorate, there 

have Keen thirty-five added to the church by profession of faith, ami twenty- 
seven by letter; forty-five have been dismissed to other churches, leaving the 
membership a little less than one hundred. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 239 

This sketch would be incomplete without mention of the office bearers who 
have faithfully served this Church. The first Session, chosen at the organiza- 
tion in 1832, was John and John N. Moore and Alexander Walker. The 
senior Elder was John Moore, a native of Virginia, and born in the 
1767. He was a man of* devoted piety. He was twice married, and was the 
father of eleven children, all of whom became pious. Joseph Moore, of <'lin- 
ton, DeWitt County, William Moore, of Irish Grove, and Mrs. Sarah II. R 
ers, wife of Henry C. Rogers, Esq., of Athens, also Mrs. Margaret Waters, of 
Clinton, were children of John Moore, and are still living. John Moore 
served as an Elder in this church from its organization in 1832 till his death 
in 1843. His oldest son and third child was John Newell Moore, who was 
born in Kentucky in 1794 : was married to Phoebe Scott in Adair County, 
Ky., in 1820, and located in this vicinity in 1822. He was elected Elder at 
the organization of the Sangamon congregation when it was organized in 
Springfield in 1828, and when the North Sangamon Church was organized in 
1832, he was chosen Elder in it, and filled the position faithfully up to his 
death in 1842. Mr. Alexander Walker, another of the original Session, came 
from Kentucky at an early day. and settled in Irish Grove. He was first an 
Elder in the North Sangamon Church, but, when the Irish Grove congregation 
was formed, he removed his membership there. Some years ago, he removed 
to Iowa. Elijah Scott was another of the first members of the Church, and at 
an early period was chosen Elder. After serving in this office a number of 
years, he removed to Cass County, where he still lives, being over eighty years 
of age. Dr. James Smick was another most acceptable Elder in this church. 
He was born in Mercer County, Ky. His parents were Presbyterians, 
and he united with that Church in Lexington, Ky. He studied medicine in 
the same city and practiced there, and also in Indiana, and came to Menard 
County in 1847. He was an Elder before he came to Menard. He was 
chosen Elder here in 1850, which office he filled till his death in 1853. Alonzo 
H. Whitney and Samuel Moore were elected Elders and ordained December 
30, 1855. Mr. Moore was born in Kentucky in 1806 ; was a son of John 
Moure and brother of Elder John N. Moore. He was one of the original 
members of the church. His name appears as Elder for the last time March 
13, 1862. He moved near Concord, where he died January 26. 1864, aged 
fifty-eight years and six months. Alonzo H. Whitney was born in Brattleboro, 
Vt., April 26, 1816 ; professed religion at Syracuse, N. Y., when near nine- 
teen years of age. He came to Illinois in 1834, and joined the Second Presby- 
terian Church in the town of Springfield. He married Miss Mary A. 
Kincaid. In 1841, he joined this church, and, in 1855, was elected and 
ordained Elder. He continued in this office till October 9, 1871, when he waa 
called to his reward. Milton Rayburn was also one of the original members, 
and was made an Elder in 1835; he being: a citizen of Irish Grove, was dis- 
missed to join there in 1836. The present Session is composed of John 



- I HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

Kennedy Kincaid, Jan : and Robert A. Young. The senior 

Elder, J. K. Kincaid, was born in I inty, Ky.. in L808, and Bottled in 

Illinois ii, L832. He joined this church by letter in L834. The exacl date 
of hit n and ordination to the office of Elder is no! known, though his 

name appears on the records as such :i- early as L843 He has been an Elder 
at least thirty-seven years. He bas Berved much of the time as Clerk of the 
»n. :iinl has frequently represented his congregation in Presbytery and 
Synod. James S. Mo 3 >n of Elder John N. Moore; was born in Ken- 

tucky in 1821. His father Bettled on Indian Creek in L822. Decemb< 

• . he united with the church on profession of faith, under the ministry of 
Alexander Ewing. He was ordained Elder May 4, 1857, Rev. William 

Perkins officiating. Mr. Moore I Church faithfully in that 

capacity from his ordination to the present time, except near thn spent 

in Jacksonville, where he removed in 1870, to educate his children, returning 
tc> his <>hl home in 1 ^T^i I [e has been much of the time < 'lerk of the Session ; 
has often represented the congregation in Presbytery and Synod. II- 
representative on the part of the Eldership from Sangamon Presbytery to the 
iil.lv in 1867, which met iii Cincinnati; and, in 1877, he repre- 
Springfield Presbytery in the General Assembly which met in the 

of Chicago. He is an efficient Sabbath-school Superintendent, and si 
bis chinch in this capacity much of the time. The junior Elder is Robert A. 
Young, who was born in Bath County, Ky., November 23, 1829. His parents, 
William P. and Margaret Young, came to Illinois in L836. On the Let of 
April, 1848, he united with the church. On the 20th of July, l s 71. hi 
ordained Ruling Elder. The present Deacons are William C. Kincaid, A. E. 
Kincaid, -J. H. Kincaid, A. S. Kirk and J. M. Fulton. Trustees, W 
Kincaid, C. 0. Culver and II. M. Moore. The officers of the Sunday school 
are — Superintendent, James S. Moor< Assistant Superintendent, William I'. 
Thompson; Secretary, R. A. Young; Chorister, James S. Mooi mist, 

i P. Moore ; Sexton, Henry Walker. 

The following persons who were communicants in this church, have entered 
the ministry: John II. M v. Pastor at Birmingham, Iowa: l>. J. Strain, 

• r at Virginia, 111. ; John W. Little, Pastor of ' ids Church, Alle- 
gany Presbytery, Pennsylvania; John J.Graham, Pastor at Mount Vernon, 
111.: W. i '. McDougall, now an evangelist in Scotland. John Howe Moore, a 
young man of rare piety and promise, was called to his reward before be com- 
pleted his Btudies preparatory to entering the ministry. 

In estimating the influence of this church for good, we must go beyond the 
actual of the communion roll. In the first place, this church, in aspirit of self- 
reliance, has Bustained its ministry without aid from the Board of Miss 
even when weak iii numbers and material wealth. Iii its early history, when 
unable to support a Pastor, it united with Borne other in the support of a min- 
It has built two houses of worship without asking for help from the 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 243 

general funds of the Church as a body. Its present commodious house of worship 
was finished and furnished at a total cost of over $3,000, it being 40x60 feet in 
size. Beside this, they rendered substantial aid in building the Presbyterian 
Churches of Petersburg, Mason City, Sweetwater and Irish Grove. This 
church may be regarded as the parent of all the Presbyterian congregations 
in the county. This congregation has furnished the first material for the 
organization of all the other churches of this body in the county. The Presby- 
terians have three nourishing congregations in the county, and four excellent 
houses of worship. Each of those congregations have regular ministers. The 
reader will find a detailed account of each of these congregations in the history 
of the townships, in which they are severally situated. The Presbyterians pur- 
chased the house of worship erected by the " Soul-Sleepers," in Sweetwater, 
some years ago, in which they have occasional services. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

There is but one Episcopal Church in the county, and this is located in 
Petersburg. The house was erected, and the Church organized, through the 
energy and zeal of Mrs. Harris, relict of the late Hon. Thomas L. Harris. 
The Trinity Church is a substantial brick of the Gothic style of architecture, 
standing on the hillside, commmanding a fine view of Petersburg. The first 
Rector of Trinity was Rev. Mr. Steel, who served the congregation very 
acceptably, and then gave up this charge to accept one in Alton, 111. The 
Church was without a Minister for upward of a year, but have recently secured 
the services of a Minister, who entered on his duties in August. 

LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN). 

This denomination has had a church in the county seat for several years, 
and, although representatives of the Church are found all over the county where- 
ever there are Germans, yet no congregation was ever organized in the county, 
out of Petersburg, until two years ago, when Prof. Winnekin, of the Lutheran 
Theological Seminary, located at Springfield, organized a congregation in the 
vicinity of Tallula, and they have since erected a neat, though cheap house 
of worship. There is, also, a large community of German Lutherans in the 
neighborhood of Greenview, though they have not, as yet, been formally organ- 
ized. In Petersburg, the Church owns a small brick church house, and on 
adjoining lots are a schoolhouse and parsonage. These are all free from debt. 
Rev. Robert Collier is at present, and has been for more than a year past, 
their Pastor. The membership in this congregation is large, and they have 
regular services each Sabbath. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

There is but one congregation, and one house of worship in this county 
belonging to this people. The house stands on the crest of the high hill at the 
south border of the town, and commands a most commanding view of the town 



244 DISTORT OF MEN \i:h OOUNTT. 

ami river. The house is large, substantially built, and finished in the verj 

With the church is connected half a block of ground, on which stands a 
tw .- « » - s r • > ry parsonage and a Bchoolhouse, in which :i Bchool is conducted eight 
months in the year, bj 3 The membership islarge, extending to almosl 

every part of the county. The Pastor occasionally visits the villages of the 
county, and holds services in them. The church was built about the closi 
the war, and, since it was completed, there has been a regular Pastor in ch 
almosl the whole of the time. At present, they are without u Pastor, Rev. 
Father A.hne having lefl some two months ago, on account of his health, and, 

et his place has not been supplied. 

With this brief account we close the general history of the churches in this 
county, though the reader may turn to the histories of I si precincts, where 

he will find full details of all these matters. We Bincerely regret that we are 
not able to get fuller details of the early preachers and churches, but it was 
impossible to :_ r et this in any reliable form. It is no trouble to find parties 
professing to know the early history of each of the different churches, but the 
difficulty is. that when you accept one of these statements bo positively made, 
you will soon find, perhaps, half a dozen persons equally reliable, who will con- 
tradict ah ery fact, and give an almost exactly opposite statement. No 
doubt many facts here given will be disputed, yet we have the pleasure of 
knowing that they were gotten from the most trustworthy sources, and where 
there were conflicting statements, we accepted those corroborated by thegrea 
amount of reliable proof. 

DBATHS \M» 0BMETERIE8. 

As before stated, the first death in the county, of which then' is any record 
or recollection, was a son of Mr. Boyer, named Henderson. Some affirm that 
Joseph Kinney — thrown from a horse and killed — was the second, and some say 
the third death. The burden of the proof is that he W8S the second. Bis 

grave was the first in the burying-ground now known as Sugar Grove Cemetery. 
There is a Btrange fact in connection with this oldest known grave in Menard 
County. Kinney was injured by being thrown from bis horse while on his way 

from a horse-race, and he died very BOOn after the fall. Shortly after his burial. 

an elm Bprang up from the very center of the grave. This was allowed to grow 
from year to year.; and it seems there was peculiar nutriment in the soil of that 
spol for the elm, for it grew with remarkable rapidity. It stands there to-day, 
i giant tree, and the grave is entirely covered and obliterated by it :• and there 
it Btands, a living, verdant monument, wrestling with the tempest, and glitter- 
ing in the BUnBhine, silently telling of the death of Joe Kinney. 

Soon after this, the old "graveyards" in Clary's Grove, and at Lebanon, 

and at other points were opened. No fact, connected with the early settlement 
of the country, is more to be regretted than the practice of burying their dead 
in places totally Unprotected by law. and doomed soon to be abandoned, and. in 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 245 

time, to be inclosed in farms, the soil above them ruthlessly torn by the plow, 
and tbe very ashes of our ancestors made to feed the cultivated crops. A 
very little care and effort at the proper time would bave prevented all this. 
But it is a lamentable fact that, even to the present time, there are scarceh any 
cemeteries in the county for which proper provisions are made. 

The principal cemeteries proper are as follows : t; Rose Hill" situated on 
the hill east of the river, one mile from Peterburg. Some fifteen years aoro, 
Mr. William S. Conant purchased the tract of land, and laid out the cemetery 
into blocks and lots. The location is one well suited for the purpose. It is a 
high ridge, level on top, and gradually sloping off, at first into gentle undula- 
tions, and then, farther south, it breaks into abruptly rolling hills; so that any 
taste can be satisfied. Fine drives for carriages traverse every part of the 
grounds, so that every lot may be closely inspected without alighting. The 
ground was originally covered with a fine growth of young and thrifty forest- 
trees, oak, hickory, elm, walnut, etc. ; and the proprietor has displayed great 
taste in setting out evergreens and flowers in every part of the ground. A 
great number of graves are already to be seen there, while a great number of fine 
monuments beautify the ground, standing as mute, but eloquent mourners, bring- 
ing to the memory of many the tender but broken ties of other years. Mr. 
Conant deserves great credit for his energy and perseverance in opening and 
keeping up this " city of the dead." 

"Oakland Cemetery" is deserving of mention here, for, while it has been 
opened but a few months, in point of importance it stands among the first cem- 
eteries in the county. It is located just outside the corporate limits of Peters- 
burg, at the southwestern point. It consists of some twenty acres purchased 
by the proprietor, Mr. D. M. Bone, of Mr. Wadkins, in the autumn of 1878. 
It would seem that the Great Architect prepared this spot as a private chamber 
where the sleeping dead may rest. The cemetery proper is cut off from the 
surrounding fields by a deep ravine running along each side, thus" forming a 
high ridge, slightly declining toward the city, while, on the summit, there are 
at least seven or eight acres that are almost level, rolling just enough fo- the 
water to run off. Alon^ the entire extent of the crest of the hill, running clear 
around the whole bluff, is the broken brow of the hill, offering a choice of every 
quality of ground, from the level sward on top to the sloping, wave like undu- 
lations on the brow, to the rugged and precipitous sides of the bluff. The earth 
is close and compact, and, at the depth of three or four feet, it is almost white 
as lime, while, owing to the peculiar conformation of the entire tract, the ground 
underneath is very dry, caused by the shedding of the water from the surface. 
The surface of the tract was by nature covered with a dense growth, princi- 
pally young and thrifty forest trees, with here and there a gnarled and wrinkled 
oak or elm, looking the parent of the surrounding forest. These old pioneers 
of the wood, centuries old, yet showing no signs of age, are fitting sentinels to 
guard these precincts of the slumbering tenants of the tomb. The natural 



246 BI8T0R1 OF MENARD COUNTY. 

is marred but little by the ax, but left almost as nature formed it. 
Mr. Bone secured the services of Mr. Cleaveland, of Chicago, the most gifted 
landscape gardener on the continent, to come and view the ground, and, having 
examined the land, he laid it uut in the highest perfection of the art. Mr. 
Cleaveland has superintended the laying-out of the leading cemeteries of the 
country, and, bo sooe as they got ;i view of the natural tract, he and his son 
both -poke in the highest terms of its beauty. It is laid out in gentle curves, 
and Bmoothly gliding lines, without any -harp angles, or monotonous square- or 
diamonds to weary the eye and surfeit the taste. No two blocks or lots are 
alike: no two drive- or walks are similar; but an unending variety and 

. varying contrast is presented to the eye. Broad drives sweep in grace- 
ful curves through every part of the ground, and from the carriage every grave 
may be viewed from the foot, and every inscription be read. In addition to 
this, the cemetery is chartered on a basis that it can never be neglected nor tall 
into decay. Provisions are made by which an ample fund, as a kind of endow* 
ment fund, is laid by in store, the interest only of which is to be used in keep- 
ing L'p the repairs. No individual can ever assume the control of it : and as 
much care will be taken of the grave fifty years after the interment as the first 
year. Taking all these facts together, and in connection with its location within 

i-v walk from any part of town, it will, in the very near future, be one of 
the must lovely cemeteries in the county. Quite :i number of persons are 
already interred there, and many lots have already been sold. 

A Indian Point, there is a cemetery one mile east of the church, that is 
duly incorporated, and is beautifully laid out. At Athens, the cemetery laid 
out by Mr. Ball is also incorporated, as also the Tallula Cemetery. These, we 
believe, are all the incorporated cemeteries in the county. There are a large 
number of private burying-grounds in the county, some containing hundreds 
of graves; some have some little care and attention, while most of them have 
fallen into neglect, and. in the course of a few years, will have gone to entire 
ruin. This is B matter in which our people are shamefully negligent, and it is 

sincerely to be hoped that the public mind will become awakened on this sub- 
ject. Will we take so much pains with our homes and barns and farms, while 
the dust of our fathers and mothers are thus neglected? A mere pittance, in 
the way of expense, and very little care and labor would gather these scat- 
tered remains from those drear ''desolation and neglect, and place them 

in incorporated cemeteries, where their graves would be remembered, protected 

and cared for. 

RAILRO IDS. 

There are two railroads passing through Menard County J these arc the 

Jacksonville branch of the Chicago >v Alton, and the Springfield & Northwest- 
ern. These mads cross each other at nearly light angles at Petersburg, which 

i- near the center of the county, thus dividing the county in four almost equal 
parts. The Chicago & Alton Railroad enters the county within less than a 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 247 

half-mile of the southwest corner, and it leaves the county at the Salt Creek 
bridge, which is but a few miles from the northeast corner ; thus it traverses 
the entire county diagonally from corner to corner. The Springfield & North- 
western road enters the county at the southeast corner, or as near as it can be 
found ; it traverses the entire area, and the bridge on the Sangamon, where it 
enters Mason county, is precisely at the corner of Menard. 

The question of the navigation of the Sangamon River had been agitated 
as early as 1832 or 1833, as the reader will see in another place, but this was 
soon given up entirely. Another project was then proposed, of opening a canal 
from Beardstown to Decatur, by way of the Illinois and Sangamon Rivers. In 
the Legislature of 1834-35, a charter was granted for this purpose. In the 
spring following, a careful survey wes made of the route ; then, after a vast 
deal of gas and calculation and suggestion, the matter was abandoned \ 
but it did not die in the minds or energies of the people. Occasionally, the 
matter was agitated, but it was not till 1850, or 1851, that it was again 
warmly canvassed. So high did the fever run at this time, that the Leg- 
islature of 1852 granted a charter to the "Springfield and Northwestern Rail- 
road Company " to construct a road from Springfield to Rock Island. This 
road was to pass through the county just as the Springfield & Northwestern 
Road has since done. So far was this enterprise pushed, that the county of 
Menard voted $50,000 to aid in its construction. The people were so full of 
enthusiasm over the enterprise that it was thought for a time that it could not 
fail. Even a small per cent of the amount voted was absolutely raised to defray 
the expenses of the survey. But it is true that 

" The best laid schemes o' mice an' men 
Gang aft agley," 

and as Sangamon County refused to vote her share of the stock, and troubles 
anticipated concerning the favorable negotiation of the bonds if voted, as also 
some unexplained trouble among the Company, the enterprise finally " went up." 
The people of " Little Menard," by these constant failures, became thoroughly 
discouraged. For a few r years they were despondent ; but in the fall of 
1856, a new enterprise was suggested. An intelligent citizen informed the 
writer, that when this was first proposed, the people heard it with a scowl : but 
later, hope began to revive. 

The enterprise proposed was the construction of a line of railroad from 
Jacksonville to Tonica in La Salle County, to intersect the Hennepin & Strea- 
tor. Tonica is a village on the last-named road, nine miles from the town of 
La Salle. A gentleman from La Salle County came along the proposed line of 
road, talking to the people and holding public meetings; and, having a corps of 
surveyors with him, he was making a preliminary survey at the same time. 
As the proposed line was to pass through Petersburg, and that being twenty- 
two miles from the nearest railroad or navigable river, the proposed road was a 
grand scheme to the citizens of this section of country. Menard, as a corporate 



248 HISTORY OP MEN \KI> COUNTY. 

body, voted (100,000 stock, and such was the seal of the people that 
nearly $30,000 stock \s:i- subscribed by individuals. A charter was granted 
the Petersburg & Tonics Railroad. The subscriptions were legalized, and 
II i. Richard fates was made President of it, and Menard County had two 
representatives on the Board of Directors, viz., John Bennett and Bon. \V. G. 
Greene. Work was soon commenced on both extremes oi the line, and pi 
cuted \sith vigor, and a great amount <>t" grading was soon done; but, unfor- 
tunately, notwithstanding the zeal of the people, the subscriptions ran short, 
and the work was compelled to stop. About this time, Mr. S gned the 

Presidency, when Hum. \V. <;. G -:ilK-< I to fill the position, and Hon. 

W. T. Beekman was made a Director and Superintendent of the road. By 
almost superhuman efforts, mean- were raised to complete the road from Jack- 

[lie to Petersburg, a distance of twenty-eight miles. During the fall of 
1861, the locomotive whistled for the first time in Petersburg. This being 
just at the opening of the war, all hope of its immediate completion was aban- 
doned. Mi - . Milton Moore, recently deceased, was the first agent in the 
Petersburg depot, ami Mr. William Bacon, the very prince of conductors, had 
charge of the first train. Many were the anecdotes told of" the remarkable 

i of this train. There being one train, ami the time-table requiring him 

to make the round trip every twenty-four hours, of course he inns! run. 
Y\ fty six miles in twenty-four hours! Think of it! They still tell of the 
train waiting for a farmer to Bhell a "grist " of corn to take to mill, and of the 
conductor's strictness in carrying out the time-table; so strict, indeed, that he 
helped shell the com ! Of the lady who had eleven eggs to send to market on 
the train, and of Mr. Bacon waiting for the hen to lay the other egg ; hut 
they do not say that he hurried the hen! < >ne thin.: is -ure: that is. Mr. 
Bacon was always a gentleman, and still is. 

About the ido.se of the war. a proposition was made by the Chicago a. Alton 
Railroad Company, which was accepted, whereby the latter company completed 
the road, not to Tonica, however, hut following the old road-bed to Delavan, in 
•veil County; there leaving the old Tonica line, it was run directly to 
Bloomington, there intersecting the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. 
Since that time, this ha- hem an important line of road. Some years ago, the 
Chicago a: Alton Company secured entire possession. Now it i< finished to 
Kansas City. There are no finer train- run anywhere west of Ohio than the 
"Denver Express" and the "St. Louis Mail." The passenger ami freight 
business of this road i- simply immense; and the company spare no expense in 
keeping their road up with all others, by putting :dl new appliances that can 
add to th( - of the road into u-e. 

The reader will remember tint, in 1852, a charter was granted by the 
Legislature to the " Springfield & Northwestern Railroad Company," to huild 
a railroad from Springfield to Rock 1-land. Alter that old charter had lain 

dead for Seventeen year-, it was revived by the Legislature in 1869 — to a new 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 249 

company, however, allowing them to construct a road on the line of the old 
survey. Menard County voted $100,000 stock in this road, and the town of 
Petersburg pays $15,000. There was a great amount of trouble over this 
matter of the " town bonds," as it was in the courts for quite a while; but as 
it is a matter that produced trouble and hard feelings, and as it has been settled 
in the courts, we think it the part of prudence to let it be buried in the obliv- 
ion of forgetfulness. In the latter part of 1870, work was begun on this 
line at Havana, but it progressed but slowly. During the next year, 1871, 
it was completed across Mason County, and a few miles into Menard. In 1872, 
the cars began to run as far as from Havana' to Petersburg. By late autumn 
in 1873, the road was finished all the way to Cantrall, a distance of no less 
than thirteen miles from Petersburg ! Here another rest was taken ; but after 
the needed rest and recuperation necessary after such an arduous summer's 
work, the road was completed at last, in 1874. Mr. William Ludwig was 
appointed agent at Petersburg depot, a position which he has held to the pres- 
ent time, to the entire satisfaction of all. The road is doing a good business, 
both in freights and travel, and both rapidly increasing. 

NAVIGATION OF THE SANGAMON. 

The location of Menard County being so remote from large rivers, the roads 
of course, poor, and railroad transportation being then unborn, it is not to 
be wondered at if the early settlers did seriously ponder the navigation of 
the Sangamon. We are to bear in mind another fact, viz.: the forests being 
then undisturbed, the ground untrampled by stock and unplowed, and the flat 
prairies undrained, it follows, of course, that the average amount of water flow- 
ing in the river was at least a third more than at present ; for, there being 
more vegetation then than now, there was then a greater rain- fall. Also, 
the ground being untrampled, the rain all sank in the earth and passed off 
regularly by springs, feeding the river constantly ; whereas now the ground is 
hard, and the fall of rain runs off with a dash. The result of this is that we 
have greater freshets and lower waters than they had in an early day. 

Not only was the matter pondered, but the experiment was absolutely made 
more than once. Some gentlemen in or near to Springfield, being very desir- 
ous for some lumber, conceived the plan of shipping it up from Alton by way 
of the rivers. A steamer was found at Alton of the desired size. It was duly 
laden with lumber, and started on its long vovage. The season was favorable 
to them, the waters being extremely high, as this was 1831, the spring follow- 
ing the deep snow. All went swimmingly until they reached the inevitable 
Salem dam of Cameron and Rutledge. The water was nearly level over the dam, 
and so they tried to run over it. Unfortunately, they hung; but, removing a 
part of the cargo, and taking a cable above and fastening it to a tree, and 
working the rope on the capstan, by steam and ropes combined they pulled 
over. From this on, they had no more trouble. It went as far as Cotton Hill, 



260 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

which is due east of the city of Springfield. The b« >:tt soon after returned in 
safety to the Illinois River. The name of this first steamer up the Sangamon 
was the " Talisman." 

Five years later, in 1886, the steamer Utility came up the same river 
as far as Petersburg ; but, owing to the rough usage it received coming up, and 
the low Btage of the water, the Captain was afraid to start back to the Illiii-i- 
with it. He sold the Utility, as he could not utilize it, to Col. John Taylor, 
one of the early pioneers of Petersburg. Mr. Taylor built the first frame 
house that was ever in Petersburg or Menard County, of the debris of this 
boat; the first glass windows in the town came out of this boat, and the first 
9team mill ever in the town or county was run by the engine belonging to it. 
One of the residents of the town at the time says that there was not a house 
in the town that was not ornamented with some part of the Utility. Certainly. 
the primitive "burghers" utilized it to pretty good purpose. 

Some of the old citizens affirm that a third steamboat came up as far as this 
place; while others positively deny it. If such a vessel did visit the " wharf" 
of Petersburg, its name was never known to the people, or is entirely forgotten. 
It is true that the citizens sent Maj. Hill to Cincinnati, and had a boat built 
expressly "for Sangamon River port-.' The boat was built and came on. but 
it was too large, and never made a voyage, as some say, but others say that it 

came to Petersburg and was sunk here in the raging Sangamon. So much for 
navigation. 

EDUCATION. 

The year has its seasons, in which the vegetable kingdom is variously 
affected. During the spring, it grows, expanding and enlarging: in rammer, 
the newly-formed portions are matured and hardened endure the 1 _ 

of winter. Among animals, there is a period in which they grow and advance, 
and then they decay and die. The tide ebbs and flows ; day is succeeded by 
night : and so, all through nature, there is change and variety ; even the plan- 
ets in their orbits at one point fly with inconceivable rapidity, while at another 
their motion is retarded. This seems to be true even of the intellectuality of 
the human family. Especially since the introduction of letters among the 
Greeks, there have been seasons of advancement and then retrogression in the 

intellectuality of the race. But this is not BO plainly visible till after the revi- 
val of letters in Europe. This is true, however, in civilization, art- and 
sciences; we advance and then recede, drop back, not to the former state, how- 
. and then advance again beyond the point reached before; so that the 
general tendency is advancement So it is in the literary improvement of 
mankind, the advance being greater than the retrogression. About the close 
of the war of the Revolution, literature and science began to advance in a man- 
ner they had never done be}',, re. and the interest awakened at that time i- <\\U 
on the advance. From that time, the American people have been fully aroused on 
the subject of education. But in those sections of country that were settled after 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 251 

the Revolution, time was absolutely necessary to any beneficial results from the 
efforts. In the early development of Illinois, there was a great variety of 
influences in the way of general education. The settlements were sparse, and 
continued so for years. Money or other means of remunerating teachers was 
scarce, as the pioneers of new countries are nearly always poor. There were 
no schoolhouses erected, nor was there any public school fund, either State or 
county. All persons, of both sexes, who had physical strength enough to labor, 
were compelled to take their part in the work of securing a support, the labors 
of the females being as laborious and important as that of the men ; and this 
continued so for a quarter of a century. In the last place, both teachers and 
books were extremely scarce. Taking all these facts together, the wonder is 
that they had any schools whatever. With all our present advantages — our 
commodious schoolhouses, our abundant and ever ready public fund, and the 
superabundance of teachers of every quality, from the very poorest up to the 
best — still some communities Avill lose months of precious time in wrangling 
over some matter of the most insignificant character. But the pioneers of Illi- 
nois deserve the highest honors for their prompt and energetic efforts in this 
direction. Just so soon as the settlements would at all justify, schools were 
begun at each one. The teacher or pupil of to-day has no conception of getting 
an education under difficulties. Everything connected with schools was as 
simple and primitive as the dwellings, clothing or food. The schools were at 
first kept in private dwellings, and then, a few years later, houses were built in 
the various neighborhoods, not by money subscribed, but by labor given. The 
men of the vicinity would gather together at some point previously agreed upon, 
and, with each an ax in hand, the work was soon done. Logs were cut, six- 
teen or eighteen feet in length, and of these the walls were raised. Broad 
boards composed the roof, and a rude fireplace and clapboard door, a puncheon 
floor, and the cracks filled with " chinks," and these daubed over with mud, 
completed the schoolhouse, with the exception of the windows and furniture. 
The window — if any — was made by cutting out a log the full length of the build- 
ing, and over the opening, in winter (and they had school during no other season 
of the year), paper saturated with grease served to admit the light. Just under 
this window, two or three strong pins were firmly driven in the log in a slant- 
ing direction. On these pins, a long "puncheon" was fastened, and this was 
the writing-desk for the whole school. For seats, they used benches made in 
the following manner: Smooth, straight trees, about a foot in diameter, were 
cut in lengths of from twelve to sixteen feet. In the round side of these, two 
large holes were bored at each end, and, in each, a stout pin fifteen inches long 
was driven. These pins formed the legs. On the uneven floors, these rude 
benches were hardly ever seen to have more than three legs on the floor at one 
time. The dirt to daub the house and construct the fireplace and chimney was 
nearly always dug in the center of the building, before the floor was laid. This 
dug quite a cellar under the schoolhouse floor. The venerable Minter Graham 



BISTORT OP MI'.N \K1> COONTT. 

informed the writer that, while he was teaching in Salem, he was one day 
walking the floor, deeply interested in bearing thi Pa class. All at 

. one of the "puncheons" in the floor, being a little ahort, slipped off the 
14 sleeper" at one end, and, quick as thought, the teacher was senl like an 
arrow, feet foremost, into the hole under the floor. The children Bcreamed 
with fright, doubtless thinking that, like Korah of old, the earth had swallowed 
him ii]> : nor would they be pacified till "Uncle Minter" crept out, and 
adjusted the treacherous slab. 

1 ks were a> primitive as the houses. The New Testament, when it 

could be had, was the most popular reader, though occasionally a copy of the 
old "Englisl ' was found, and very rarely the "Columbian Orator" 

was in a family. Pike's and Smiley's Arithmetics, "Webster's Speller" was 
first used, and after eight or ten years, the "Elementary Speller" came in. 
Grammar was scarcely ever taught; when it was, the text-books used were 
Murray's and Kirkham's Grammar. To illustrate the Bcarcity of these books, 
it may nol 1"' amiss to state iii this connection that while Lincoln was in Salem. 
he took lessons from Mr. Graham in English grammar. But he must ha 
book, and, after diligent inquiry, he learned that Mr. John Vance, then living 

. miles north of Salem, at Concord, bad a copy of " Earkham's Gram- 
mar." Mr. Lincoln walked barefoot the seven miles and back, procured the 
book, mastered its contents, and then returned it. 

The schools were made by subscription, the charge being from $1.50 to 

1 per scholar for a term of three months, the schools running only in mid- 
winter. School opened at v o'clock in the morning and closed at "> in the 
evening. The teacher must he an adept at making quill pens, a- pen- of Bteel 

Id were then unheard of. The principal game among the boys was *■ hull- 
pen. ' a kind of hall. The party was equally divided. A field was laid out 
with as many corners, or bases, as there were men on ,-i aide. Thej tossed for 

choice, the winners' side taking the corners, or bases, the others <j.<>\\r_: into the 
'•pen." The game was thi-: The men oil the ba-es. tOSSing the hall from one 
to another a- rapidly a- they could, threw and struck one in the "pen" 
whenever they could. If one threw ami Struck no one. it : hut if he 

Struck one. the men on the bases all ran away, and if the one struck first did 
not throw and hit one in return, he was out; though if he did. both kept their 
places. So the game went on till all on the "corners" were out ; the others 

then took the bases. Tin- was a rough, hut lively and amusing game. Those 
in the •■ pen " often had their rihs Borely battered with the hall: hut many 

•ne such adepts in the art of "dodging" the hall when thrown at them, 

that it was almost impossible to strike them. This game was, in time, aban- 
doned for a game called "town ball;" the present baseball being town hall 

redo ice. 

It is a rather Btrange, but very creditable fact, that school- were begun in 

the principal .•enters of the early BOttlementS nearly at the -anie time, ami 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 253 

within less than two years after the first pioneers came to the country. It 
cannot be decided who it was that taught the first school in the county, or where 
it was taught. It is pleasing, however, to know that the name of the first 
teacher in each of those settlements has been preserved — the place, the approx- 
imate time, and all this ; but the exact date not being given, wc cannot tell 
which was first. Clary's Grove, Sugar Grove, Indian ('reck and Rock Creek 
settlements each claims the honor of being the first to start in this direction. 

Mr. Tarleton Lloyd, now ninety-five years of age, had settled on a claim on 
Rock Creek, on which were two log cabins, one 16x17 feet, the other, 15 feet 
square. Mr. Lloyd lived in the larger of these, and, about 1820 (Mr. L. can- 
not give the date positively), a man by the name of Compton opened a school 
in the smaller of these cabins; and this served as a schoolhouse for two years. 
when a better one was built. In 1820 or 1821, Messrs. Meadows, Boyer, 
Wilcox, McNabb and Grant put up a house in Sugar Grove, in which to have 
school. This was built of split logs, or large rails, and a school was at once 
opened in it by James McNabb, who, as the reader will probably remember, 
was drowned in the Sangamon River some time after. The next school there 
was taught by a Mr. McCall, and the third by Mr. Templeman. In 1820 
(positively), a school was taught in Clary's Grove, in a log cabin, by Robert 
Armstrong. The old settlers of this grove are very positive in the assertion 
that this was the first school in the limits of ; ' Little Menard." 

In 1820 or 1821, a log cabin was put up on the brow of the bluff on Indian 
Creek, not far from the present site of Indian Point Church. In this, a Mr. 
Hodge taught the first school in that vicinity. We give in detail only these 
earliest schools, for, by one or two years after those named were begun, schools 
were opened in considerable number, so that any effort at giving any farther 
particulars would be simply ridiculous. As the school system was not adopted 
and put into operation by the authority of the State till as late as 1847, it fol- 
lows, of course, that there were no regular districts for schools, no public funds 
of any amount, and, therefore, they were all run by private enterprise, and on 
the subscription plan. But in order that the people should not be imposed 
upon too egregiously, it was common for the neighborhood to select some one of 
their number to examine and pass on the qualifications of the applicant, giving 
him, if qualified, a certificate of the fact. In another part of this work, Mr. 
Perrin relates an incident actually occurring in the county : A gentleman 
applying for a certain school was sent to the proper dignitary to be examined 
and procure a certificate. He appeared before his honor, and was handed a Bible, 
opened at a chapter of genealogy in the Old Testament, which, of course, was 
all jaw-breaking proper names. He read the chapter, when the old gentleman 
said, " I guess you can teach school." He then produced pen and paper and told 
the applicant to write a certificate. He did so, and, when done, handed it to the 
old gentleman for his signature. Said he, ." Just sign it for me. and I will 
make my mark, as I can't write." 



•_'" \ HISTORY OP MENARD OOUNTT. 

In -ome communities they were determined not to be imposed upon ; as in 
the vicinity of [ndian Point Long before the introduction of our admirable 

in of Bchool laws, a nnmber of leading citizens oonstitnted themseh 
committee on examinations, and these examinations were close and rigid. 

Many were the ) r fellows in ye olden time, who, after sweating fur long 

honrs in the dreadful ordeal of a cross fire between these sturdy old farm - 
were doomed at la<t to fail. Bnt the result was a wholesome one to the com- 
munity adopting the plan. The [ndian Point school is an illustration, for 
they, adopting this plan in a very early day, have always had the very best 
of -ehools — the best in the entire county, perhaps. 

r the adoption of the present school system, the interest in efdm 
was greatly advanced, and. at present, our districts in every part of the county 
are enjoying the very highest privileges. Each district has a neat and pleas- 
ant Bchoolhonse, furnished with every comfort and necessity. The best of 
teachers can be employed, and a public fund is provided to meet all the expen- 
ses. Subjoined, we give some important items from the County Superintend- 
ent's report for the year ending duly 80, 1879. 

There are. under twenty-one years of age, males, 3,226; female-. 3,041; 
total. 6,267. Between the ages of six and twenty-one years, males, 2,160; 
females, 2,012; total, 4 . 1 7 J . Number of schools in the county, 68. Frame 
schoolhouses, 85; brick, 28. Number of teachers employed during the year, 
males, 58; females. 53; total. 111. Months taught by male-. 827; by females, 
266; total, 593. Total number of days attended, 264,048. Number unable 
to read and write, males. v : females, 4; total. 12. This includes, of course, 

only those between six and twenty-one years. The cause, in one case, was men- 
tal incapacity : in all the others, the cause was the neglect of parents. A.ver- 
- paid to male teachers per month, (51.37; average paid to females, 
(84.18. St.ue fund received. (4,650.22. [nterest on public fund, (264.77. 
Amount of district tax levy. (1 1,888.16. Total Bum expended in the county 
for school purposes during the (88,386.28. The county never had any 

normal school till during l x 7*\ and the summer of 1 S T!'. Each term was 

of six week-, and forty pupils were in attendance during each term. Each 

term was a decided sue 

u \U RECORD. 

Under this head, we think it best to give the entire history of Menard 

County as connected with the various wars in which the United Star.'- has 
been en.LM.L'cd since the State came into the Union. The Black Hawk war 
iras spoken ofin the history of the village of Salem; it is therefore unnecessary 
peat what was there said. Ever since the Indian troubles of the country. 
the Western people have shown the strongest devotion to the interests and 

honor of the whole country. And when a portion of the frontier citizen 

the country, after repeated ami long-continued abuses from heartless and d< - 
able neighbors, appealed to the whole country for aid, and a call was made for 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTT. 255 

volunteers, the whole American people were filled with enthusiasm. The citi- 
zens of the " Lone Star State," as it has since been called, had for years been 
engaged in a kind of guerrilla warfare, with varying results; but in 1836, a 
battle was fought at San Jacinto, wherein Santa Anna, the dictator of Mexico, 
was captured, and, being held in strict confinement, he was finally induced to 
sign a treaty acknowledging the independence of Texas. But, in violation of 
the treaty and of every principle of honor, the republic of Mexico treated Texas 
and the Texans just as she had previously done. From this time on, petitions were 
frequently presented to the United States asking admission into the Union. 
But Mexico, through sheer spite, endeavored to prevent the admission of Texas, 
by constantly declaring that her reception would be regarded as a sufficient 
cause for a declaration of war, thinking, perhaps, that this would serve to 
intimidate the United States. In the Presidential canvass of 1844, this was 
one of the leading issues before the people, and Mr. Polk being elected, this was 
taken as a public declaration on the subject. After this, Congress had no hesi- 
tancy in granting the petition of Texas, and, on the 1st of March, 1845, for- 
mally received her into the sisterhood of States. Mexico at once, in her indig- 
nation, broke off all diplomatic relations with the United States, calling home 
her Minister immediately, which was a clear declaration of war. War was soon 
declared. Congress passed an act, authorizing the President to accept the ser- 
vices of 50,000 volunteers, and appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution 
of the war. Just at the opening of actual trouble with Mexico, the United 
States was disputing about the boundary of Oregon, the motto being " 54, 40 
or fight." But, as we had one war on hand already, it was thought best not 
to get into trouble with Great Britain, and the boundary was placed at the 
40th parallel of north latitude. When the call for volunteers was made, the 
requisition on Illinois was for "three regiments of infantry or riflemen." As 
to the pay, that matter was nothing, being only $8 a month. The troops 
were to be enlisted for a term of twelve months, and the privates were lim- 
ited to eighty men in a company. The call of the Governor — Ford — was 
issued May 25, for the organization of the three regiments. Soon the State 
was alive with almost frantic enthusiasm. The strains of martial music 
were heard in almost every village and hamlet. The first man to enroll 
himself a volunteer was the well-known and brave J. J. Hardin. In ten days, 
thirty-five full companies were raised, and by the middle of June there 
were no less than forty companies in excess of the call. After the three 
regiments had rendezvoused at Alton, and had been received and sworn in, 
Hon. E. D. Baker, member of Congress from the Sangamon District, 
was authorized by the Secretary of War to raise another regiment in Illi- 
nois. The regiment was promptly raised, and was composed of two com- 
panies from Sangamon, and one company from each of the following coun- 
ties : Macon, McLean, De Witt, Logan, Tazewell, Edgar, Perry and '"Little 
Menard." Hon. Thomas L. Harris, of Petersburg, and whose family still 



266 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

reside in that pine..-, was, by general consent, recognized as Captain of the 
company, though no election was held till some time later. They stopped 
for a -lmrt time at Springfield, where they were partially drilled. At A 
they were sworn in and received arm-. They then removed to Jeffi 
Barracks, twelve miles below St. Louis, on the Mississippi River. When 
they reached che barracks, they still had no officers, except Capt. Harris who 
was tacitly regarded as such. Here an election was held for regimental offi- 

, which resulted in the choice of B. 1». Baker as Colonel: the former 
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois .John Moore, of McLean, as Lieutenanl I 
onel, and Thomas L. Harris, of Petersburg, as Major. 

Officers wire hero elected for the company. A. D. Wright, of Petersburg, 
was elected Captain ; William C. Clary, First Lieutenant: Shelton Joht 

■ml Lieutenant : Robert Scott, Third Lieutenant. The whole number "t* 
men in the company, mustered in, was eighty-two; these, with Maj. 11 
promoted, made eighty-three men from Menard County actually entering the 
service. Some others volunteered, but they never went bo far as to bemusl 
into service. So soon as the Fourth Regiment reached the city of Alton, a 
• 1 1 of rank arose between Col. Baker, of the Fourth, ami CoL 

John J. Hardin, of the First Regiment. This matter Was referred to a court 

of inquiry, composed of Capts. Bishop, Crow, Coffee, Dickey, Elkin, 1 licks, 
Jones, MeAdams. Morgan, Roberts and Wiley, and G. T. M. Davis as clerk. 

After a careful in vest i nation of the whole question, < !ol. Hardin was declared the 

senior officer. The men who went from Menard County were the followin 

ClaybOrn Altig, Lewis Atchison, Robert Bishop, Wilson Bess, John Bond, 
Banister Loud. Greene Bond, Jesse Browne, Preston Berry, Andrew Bell, 
Oliver Cox, William Close. David Clark, Robert Clary, William Clary, Thomas 

Clary. Daniel Clary, Fraiieeway Hay, Phillip Hay. Washington Denton, Aaron 

Durben, Isaac Estil, Samuel Fly. Elijah Elmore, Napoleon Greer, Isaiah 

Goldsby, Wade II. Goldsby, Charles Cum. Christopher G Iman, Conover 

Cum. Evans Greene, Amos Gurnsey, -John Garber, Alvin Hornback, Will. am 
Hutchinson, Petei Hamilton. Elias Bohimer, Aaron Houghton, Michael Hed- 
rick, John Jones, Roberl N. Jones, Shelton Johnson, Richard Johnson, Walt r 
W. King, Joseph M. King, Jesse Lukins, Elobert Moore, Royal Miller. John 

Miller. Philemon Morris. T. Nance, Henry Nance. Q W. Name, dames 

rson, William Phillips. Cornelius Rourke, B Rayburn, William 

les, John Ritchie, William Stone, () . II. P. Smith. Daniel Staten, Robert 

•. Richard Smedley, Jonathan Simpson, David K. Short. Robert Smith, 

Anderson Trent, Elobert Trotter. Samuel Tibbs, Owen Thomas, J. P. Walker, 

John Wright, Enoch Wiseman, John Wiseman, Thomas Watkins, Richard 

Witt, ('apt. A. I>. Wright, James Watkins. Benjamin Wiseman. Nelson Eocuin, 

1 I _ • Y>m inn. 

This list contains eighty-two names, ami, with that of Maj. Thomai L. 

Harris, makes the number of men from Menard County eighty-three in all. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 257 

This was Company F, in the Fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. From 
Jefferson Barracks, William Phillips came hack home on furlough, and never 
returned to the army. At New Orleans, Elias Hohimer received permission to 
return home, and remained there. All the remainder of the Menard County 
men, eighty-one in number, boarded the brig Mary Jones and were lauded at 
Point Isabella, at the mouth of the Rio Grande River, in Texas. This v. 
seven days' voyage, and on the way, two men died, and were buried in the 
Gulf. After landing, they marched up the Rio Grande toward Camargo. 
This was a toilsome march, and the climate nor food agreeing with the soldiers, 
death made fearful havoc among them. Every day's march was marked by a 
grave. In that short journey, twenty-one men died, among whom were Short, 
Atchison, Thomas Clary, Joseph M. King; seven others were sent home, being 
unfit for service, on account of disease. From Camargo, they marched by land 
to Tampico, a distance of near five hundred miles. On this march, seven more 
men died, making thirty-seven in all from the ranks by death, and returning 
to the States. From Tampico, the command sailed to Vera Cruz by the steam- 
ship Alabama. In this battle, the company did not lose a man. From there, 
they marched to Cerro Gordo, and entered the battle with forty-two men. In 
the engagement, three of this company were killed and three severely wounded. 
George Yocum, Al Hornback and Lieut. Johnson were killed. Robert Scott, 
John Ritchey and Cornelius Rourke were severely wounded. Mr. Rourke 
lost his left leg, it being shot off near his body. He still lives, however, an 
honored member of society. His home is in Petersburg, where he is engaged 
in the lumber trade. He is now Major in the State militia. The command 
was discharged shortly after the battle of Cerro Gordo, their time having 
expired, and they reached home in the fall of 1847. By the best information 
we can get, there are fourteen of those who started out with this company who 
are still living. The remnant of the company who still survive, are sorely scat- 
tered, and it is almost impossible to obtain a correct list of the survivors and 
the places of their residence. A few, however, still live in this and adjoining 
counties. Col. Cornelius Rourke, William Hutchinson, Walter W. King and 
Robert Bishop live in Petersburg. Washington Denton, Charles Gum, Elias 
Hohimer, Samuel Tibbs, Aaron Houghton and Thomas Watkins are still citi- 
zens of Menard County. Dr. J. P. Walker is a successful practitioner of 
medicine in Mason City, Mason Co., 111. William Clary lives in Kansas, R, 
N. Jones is in Iowa, and Richard Witt is perhaps in Nebraska. Royal Miller 
lives in Sangamon County. Soon the last of them will be gone to their final 
reward. 

WAR OF THE RERELLION. 

It is not our purpose to write a history of the " War for the Union," for, 
even if we had time, space and material, we should not then be tempted to the 
task, as there is, at present, vastly more war literature extant than is read. 
And this is not to be regretted, as this class of literature is very unreliable. 



- - HI8I0B1 OF MENARD COUNTY, 






But a history of Menard County that did aol contain its war record, would be 
no history. Nothing will be of greater interest to coming generations in our 
country, than a true and faithful account of the events of those four long and 
gloomy years. It is a duty that we owe to the soldiers who took part in the 
bloody struggle, to record and preserve the leading facte ; especially do we owe 
this to the long li.-t of the dead, who willingly laid down their lives for their 
country's honor and preservation : we owe it to the maimed and mangled 
cripples who were lacerated and torn by Bhot and shell ; and last, hut not l< 
We owe it to the widows and orphans of our brave soldiers, who, for love of 
country, forsook home with all its endearments, and whose bodies fatten tin- 
soil of the Sunny South. Menard County had been Democratic in politics for 
many years, and in the Presidential race between Lincoln and Douglas, just al 
the beginning of the war. notwithstanding the high esteem in which Mi. 
Lincoln was personally held by the people, Mr. Douglas received ■ I 
majority of the votes cast in the county. A large class of people boldly 
opposed the Republican party and its policy ; yet, when the grim rU 
of war began to frown over the land, when the American flag was fired upon 
at Fort Sumter, and the blood of American citizens had been actually Bpilled, 
the feelings of patriotism ran high, and the pulses of all began to beat full and 

ijuick : and when the question of union and duunion was brought full before 
the face of all, then Democrats ami Republicans forgot old issues, and petty 

quarrels, and, with united bands and hearts, resolved to sacrifice all else for the 
). reservation of the I'nion. When the first Call was made for volunteers, it set 
the entire State in a blaze of excitement, martial music was heard in every 
town and hamlet, and tender females, no less than male.-, were wild with enthu- 
siasm. Wive- encouraged their husbands to enlist, mothers urged their sons 

to patriotic devotion, Bisters tenderly gave their brothers to the cause of their 
country, while cast- are not unknown where the bride of an hour, joyfully 

though tearfully, gave the young husband the parting embrace, admonishing 

him to be brave and true. We propose now. in as brief a manner as we can. 

B the part that Menard (.'ounty took in the late war. 

The reader i- doubtless aware of the fact that the State of Illinois furnished, 

in all, six regiments of men for service in the war with Mexico. Those in 

authority at the beginning of the rebellion, thought it due to the patriotism 

and devotion of the heroes of that war. to begin the numbering of the regiments 
raised in the State with -even, thu- preserving the numbering of those old reg- 
iments. It will, therefore, be borne in mind that the Seventh Regiment is in 
reality the firsl furnished during the rebellion. This " Seventh ' Regiment of 
Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, was mustered into service the 25th of April, 1 s,; 1 . 

The first regiment that had a representation in it from Menard County was the 

■ Fourteenth," and Company " B" was raised in this county. This regiment 
was first called into the State service for thirty days, under the " Ten Regimenl 
BUI." It rendezvoused at Jacksonville, 111., and was mustered in for thirty 




ll$,ohOUA 



TALLULA 




HISTORY OF MKNARD COUNTY. 261 

days, on May 4, 1861. On the 25th of May, it was mustered into the United 
States' service for three years, by Capt. Pitcher, U. S. A. The Colonel of this 
regiment, when it first went into service, was John M. Palmer. In July, 1861, 
it was ordered into Missouri. Its first active service was the capture and parole 
of a rebel force under James S. Green, formerly United States Senator from Mis- 
souri. After being with Gen. Fremont in his campaign to Springfield, Mo., it 
went into winter quarters at Otterville. In February, 1862, it was ordered to 
Fort Donelson, but arrived there one day after the battle. At Donelson, it 
was brigaded with the Fifteenth and Forty-sixth Illinois, and the Twenty-fifth 
Indiana, and assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, under Gen. 
Hurlbut. Before this, Col. Palmer had been promoted, and Maj. Hall, of the 
Seventh Illinois Cavalry, became the Colonel. From Fort Donelson, the reg- 
iment marched to Fort Henry, and went from there by transports up the Ten- 
nessee River to Pittsburg Landing. Up to this time, the regiment had never 
smelt the powder of an enemy, but a baptism of fire, in the full meaning of the 
term, awaited it there. Here, on the 6th and 7th of April, this command lost. 
in killed and wounded, fully one-half of those engaged. This is not mere sur- 
mise, but it is taken from the Adjutant General's report. On the evening of 
the 7th, a grand charge was made, which turned the tide of battle in favor of the 
Union, notwithstanding the numbers and power of the enemy. This splendid 
charge was led by the Fourteenth, with Col. Hall at the head of the columns. 
Gen. Veatch, who commanded the brigade to which the Fourteenth was attached, 
uses the following language : " Col. Hall, of the Fourteenth Illinois, led with 
his regiment that gallant charge on Monday evening, which drove the enemy 
beyond our lines, and closed the struggle of that memorable day." If any one 
has doubts concerning the force of the storm of lead and iron that this command 
passed through on that occasion, let him go to Memorial Hall, in Springfield, 
and count the forty-two bullet-holes made in the regimental colors in that battle, 
and this will surely convince him. This regiment took an active part in the 
battles of Corinth, Memphis, Bolivar. On January 18, 1863, it went into win- 
ter quarters at La Fayette, Tenn. It took part in the siege of Vicksburg until 
its fall, July 4, 1863. In the latter part of this year, the Fourteenth and 
Fifteenth, which had been together nearly all the time, were consolidated into 
the " Fourteenth and Fifteenth Illinois Veteran Battalion." In October, 1864, 
when Gen. Hood made his demonstration against Sherman's rear, a large num- 
ber of this battalion were killed, and the greater part of the remainder taken 
prisoners, and sent to suffer in Andersonville Prison. Those who escaped were 
mounted, and acted as scouts during the remainder of the march to the sea. 
They were first to drive the rebel pickets into Savannah, Ga. They were also 
first to enter Cheraw, S. C, Fayetteville, N. C, and took an active part in the 
battle of Bentonville. In the spring of 1865, the battalion organization was 
discontinued, and at Goldsboro, N. C, the two regiments were re-formed, being 
filled up by recruits, and Col. Hall again took command of the old Fourteenth. 



262 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

It was mastered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., oi 9 mber 
16, 1865, and r< Springfield September 22, \^>'<~>. The aggregate of 

men belonging to tin- regiment from first to last, • i '. and the number 

mustered out at Fort Leavenworth was I s ". It was in Bervice four years and 
four months, and during that time, it marched do less than 4,490 miles, 
traveled by rail 2,330 miles, and by Bteamboat and transports, 1,490, 
making an of 11,670 miles. The officers of the Fourteenth, 

in their order, were Cols. John M. Palmer and Cyrus Ball; Lieut. Cols. 
Amory I\. Johnson and William Cam ; Majs. Jonathan Morris and John F. 

Nolle. 

Company E of this regiment was raised in Menard County, eighty men of 
the county joining it. The first Captain was Amory K. Johnson, followed by 
k Mead, i g, and he by Henry M. Pedan, of Shelbyville. The 

I. • utenants, in their order, were: Jacob M. Early, of Petersburg ; Ethan II. 
Norton, of the same place, and Alonzo J. Gillespie, of Bloomington. Second Lieu- 
tenants, E. II. Norton and A. .1. Gillespie. Of this company, John L. Kinman, 
of Petersburg, was killed in action at Shiloh, April *'<. L862. None 
The following were discharged on account of disability, viz.. John .Murphy, 
•lames Wilhite, Ed win Worth and Joseph Todd. The above statement is taken 

from the report of the Adjutant General, that is. a- far as that report _ 
hut even this is imperfect in many respects, and a number of fact- are added. 

derived from individual members of the regiment. 

<'m- company — Company A — of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Dlinoifi 

eran Battalion, was also composed of Menard County men : hut in the eighty 

men id" Company F. of the Fourteenth, and the twenty-four men pf Company 

the Battalion, no man is counted twice. The history of the Battalion is 

bed in that of the Fourteenth, given above, hence it is unnecessary to 

ii it here. Suffice il to >ay that the men of this command saw hard sen 

hut never flinched when the atorm heat the hard< 

We come now to tin' Twenty-eighth Infantry. This regiment was organized 
i 1. Louis II. Waters, and Maj. Charles J. Sellan, at Camp 
Butler, Illinois, in the month of A'. 361. < >n the 28th of August, was 

ordered to Thebes, 111., ami thence to Bird's Point. M".. on September '.'. 
Early in October, it was remove. 1 to Fort Holt, Ky., and there remained until 
the last day of January, L862, when it was taken to Paducah, Ky.. and 
then ; to (',,1. M. L. Smith's Lew Walla 

Division. On the 6th of February, this regiment took put in the capture 

Hiniiian and Henry. A little event took place on the L3th lary 

that is worthy oi' n place h 

A detachment of 500 rebels were in the vicinity of Little Bethel Church, 
which was only five miles from Fori II < leek Qg t' adventure. 

Now. it BO happened that Col. Johns Ut on a scout with 48 men and 12 

officers— 61 men all told — and. bearing of the 500 "Johnnies," determined to 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 263 

try their mettle; so, finding out their locality, approached them, cautiously at 
first, but, soon after the firing began, he ordered a charge, and bo furious was 
the attack that the rebels gave way in confusion, and were completely routed. 
About the 6th of March, the regiment was ordered to Pittsburg Landing, and 
was assigned to Gen. Hurlburt's (the Fourth) Division. Just at dawn, on 
Sabbath morning, April 6, 1862, the shrill notes of martial music called the 
men into line. Ominous signs of danger, if not disaster, were every where. 
Buckling on their belts and cartridge-boxes as they fell into line, they were hur- 
ried at double-quick over half a mile to the front, where they met Gen. Prentiss* 
command, being driven before the exultant enemy. It was, in a short time, 
assigned a position on the left of the line, in what was called, and since known 
as, the Peach Orchard. The enemy immediately began to pour a galling fire 
on this point, with a view to turning the flank. Stubbornly and doggedly these 
Illinoisans held their position, from before 8 o'clock in the morning till after 3 
in the afternoon. Nor did they then retire, until orders were given from Brig. 
Gen. S. A. Hurlbut, commanding the "Old Fighting Fourth Division." On 
Monday, the 7th, it was assigned a position on the right of the line, and was 
there most hotly engaged until victory closed the two-days' struggle. Thus 
they were two full days, from dawn till evening, in actual engagement. Tl 
were long and trying days ; blood flowed everywhere, and the night was ren- 
dered hideous by the groans of the dying : yet, in all this hotly contested con- 
flict, this regiment never wavered, nor was its line once broken or driven back. 
During these two days, the regiment lost 239 men in killed and Avounded. In 
May. it was active in the siege of Corinth, then marched to Memphis. J Ic idl- 
ing Memphis the 23d of July, 1862, it rested there until early in September, 
when the march was taken to Bolivar, which point was reached September the 
14th. Some twenty days later, the regiment was in the battle of Hatchie 
River, or Matamora, in which it lost in killed, wounded and missing. !>T 
men. In the summer of 1863, the Twenty-eighth was ordered to Vicks- 
burg, and was there in the siege from the 11th of June to July 4. After this. 
on the 12th of July, a detachment, composed of men from the Forty-first, 
Fifty-third and Twenty-eighth Illinois and Third Iowa Infantry, amounting in 
all to not more than 800 men, were ordered to charge across an open and level 
cornfield, some six hundred yards in width, and carry a line of rebel works 
that were strong in their formation, and from which twelve dark-moutbed can- 
non frowned defiance on all coiners, and behind which lav 2,000 men, ready 
for the fray. The bugle sounded the onset: not a man faltered nor a cheek 
paled, but right onward "into the jaws of death, role the'' 800. As 
they came, they were met with a pitiless storm of rifle and minie balls, 
while the twelve cannon belched a constant tide of lire and iron : hut when they 
reached the works, their whole line was swept from right and left and front, 
that to persist in the attempt to carry the works was sure annihilation. They 
retreated to their line, leaving more than half their number, /-'ink and ill'-, in 



BISTORT OP MEN IBS COUNTY. 

I wnmded. Of the 128 men of the Twenty-eighth that were in this 
charge, 78 were killed and wounded, and 16 taken prisoi : I left behind, 

to 89 who returned. 

In 1864, the regiment re-enlisted tenuis, after which, it was in the 

nt :it Spanish Fori and at Mobile. It had, during the war, 9 officers 
killed: 19 wounded, and 2 died of disease. Privates — killed, 52; died of 
wounds, 84; wounded, ■_'•'»•">: missing in action, 17; killed by accident, 
died of " The officers of the regiment, in their order, are as fol- 

Colonel, Amorj K. Johnson, 'burg; Lieutenant Colonels — 

Louis II. W • ' Macomb; Thomas K. Killpatrick, of Milton, and Rich- 

ard Ritter, of Havana; Majors — Charles J. Sellon, Springfield; Barclay ( ". 
Grillam, Rushville, and Hinman Rhodes, Vermont, 111. of this regiment, 
companies F, 8 and C were all or in part from Menard County. Com- 
pany F contained in all 107 men from this county. The officers were: Cap- 
tain — William J. Estill and Thomas Swarenguin, both of Petersburg; 
Firsl Lieutenants — Isaac B. Estill, Thomas Swarenguin and John II. Bwing, 
all id' Petersburg; Second Lieutenants — Thomas Swarenguin and John II. 
There were killed in action. 4. viz.: James T. Jones, at Shiloh; J. 
er, at Vidalia; James II. Stewart, at Jackson, Miss., and Charles N. 
Riley, al Hatchie. Five died of wounds, viz.. David C. Stone, Jacob Ackle- 
son, Peter Farnheine, Jacob Homer and II. <i. Toland. Wounded and dis- 
charged. 8, viz.. Jesse 1*. Bradley, I 'avid Lucas and Elijah S. Nichols. Died 
of di viz., William Canterbury, Henry II. Fulton, Elijah 1 

Henry T. Gudgell, dames Harman, Francis M. Twaddle. Christopher Alexan- 
der, William B. Davis and Michael Johns. There were 3 who deserted, viz.. 
John W. Rutledge, Henry Johnson and Charles Noble. 

In Company K, there were 89 men from Menard County. The officers 
of Company K were: Captains — William R. Roberts, of Menard, and 
Albert J. Moses, from elsewhere; Firsl Lieutenants — Ibhu Brewsaugh, Fred. 

ternicht, Albert J. Moses, John B. Newton and Dennis Pride, the lasl 

from Menard: Second Lieutenants — Ibhn B N n, of Menard, and A. 
.1. Moses. Of these, only 1. Adam Forsyth, was killed in action; Alonso <i. 
Fleming died*of wounds; I were wounded, bul recovered, viz . Richard ) 
nard. Amos Mouser, Logan Rayburn and Samuel T. R _ rs : discharged on 
ace, unit of disability, 2, viz.. John Sulivan and John Rogi ra ; i on 

int of wounds, : '>. \iz... William W. Dudley, .lame- II. Ghw lenei and Nult 
iie; the l following died of disease : Elijah Edwards, Gottlieb Fotsch, 
Francis Schasner and Phillip A. Simpson. None of the men in thi> company 
from Menard < lounty deserted. 

Company C of the Twenty-eighth had 4»'» men from Menard County 
in it. None of the commissioned officers of this company were from Menard 
County. One man of this company, Deerweeter, was killed in action. 

wounded. Two died of disease, viz., William B. Davis and Mike Jones. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 265 

Columbus Crosby was the only deserter. The above companies took their 
share of all the trials and honors of the gallant Twenty eighth Regiment of 
Illinois Volunteers. 

We come now to the Thirty-eighth Regiment, as this is the next in order 
in which there were any companies containing any considerable number of 
Menard County men. It is true, however, that there was scarcely an Illinois 
regiment that did not have a representation from this county. The writer has 
performed an amount of labor that none would imagine, hunting these stragglers. 
Where there were less than four or five in a company, we have not given a 
detailed history of it. But in order that none be overlooked, we read every 
name and post-office aduress in the eight volumes of the Adjutant-General's 
Report. 

The officers of the Thirty-eighth were as follows: Colonels — William P. 
Carlin, Daniel H. Gilmer and. Ed. Colyer ; Lieutenant Colonels — Mortimer 
O'Kean, D. H. Gilmer, William H. Chapman and Ed. Colyer; Majors — D. H. 
Gilmer, Henry L. Alden and Andrew M. Pollard, none of whom were from 
Menard. This regiment was organized in September, 1861, at Camp Butler, 
Illinois, by Col. William P. Carlin. Moved at once to Pilot Knob, Missouri, 
receiving arms en route, and as early as the 21st of October, one month and 
one day, from leaving Camp Butler, it was introduced to the stern realities of 
war, at Fredericktown, by being engaged in battle with the Missouri " Swamp 
Fox," Jeff. Thompson. This introduction was a very good index to the future 
four years and three months of its service. At or near the city of Nashville, 
it lost in battle, 3 killed and 8 wounded. At Stone River, 34 killed, I 1 ' 1 .) 
wounded, and 34 missing. Near Liberty Gap, the regiment lost, killed, 3 ; 
wounded, 19. In the battle of Lookout Mountain, the Thirty-eighth suffered 
severely. Col. Gilmer was killed, Maj. Alden . severely wounded; and of the 
301 men who went into the action, 180 were killed, wounded and missing. 
The history of this regiment is one of constant hard work and bloody fighting, 
from first to last ; and the student of history can trace its way through those 
long, dark four years by the weary marches, and bloody fields that it left as 
waymarks. Only one company of this regiment had representatives from 
Menard County on its roll, and this was Company G. Only twelve of these 
were from this county. The company officers were as follows, viz. : Captains, 
A. M. Pollard, Abraham Golden and John H. Adams ; First Lieutenants, 
William F. Chapman, Abraham Golden and J. II. Adams ; Second Lieutenants, 
A. J. Rankin and Abraham Golden. Of these only Golden was from Menard. 
Of the twelve men from here, none were killed, wounded, or deserted. Two 
died of disease, these were Edward W. Martin and Ralf Snodgrass. Consider- 
ing the general mortality in the regiment, those twelve came off remarkably 
well. 

The next regiment containing men from Menard County was the Fifty- 
first Illinois Infantry. As there were but tew of our men in this regiment, we 



HISTORY OP MEN LRD COUNTY. 

bat a eery brief history of it. I [ 'urn! wai zed at Camp 

Douglas, Chicago, 111., by Col. Gilbert W. Camming, on the 24th of Decem- 
ber, 1861. Od the 14th ol February following, it moved to Cairo, 111., and 
thence <>u tin- :i7th to <':mi]> Cullum, on the Kentucky Bhore of the Ohio 
River. Its first actual engagement was at [aland No. 10, where, <>ii the s th 
of April, L862, i- forced the surrender of Gen. Mackall, with four thousand 
men. 

< >n the 24th of April, the brigade of Brig. Gen. John M. Palmer, eom- 
1 of the Twenty-second, Twenty-seventh, Forty-second and Fifty-first 
Illinois, and Company I st Illinois Artillery, was assigned to Brig. Gen. 

Paine's Division. This division was i ogaged in the battle of Farmington, and 
the siege of Corinth. At Mission Ridge, the regiment lost one-fifth of the 
men who went into the battle. At Kenesaw Mountain, it lost, in killed and 
wounded, 2 officers and 54 men. During the fighting around Atlanta, 
the regiment lost in killed and wounded, 7 officers, and 105 privates. V 
Franklin, Tenn., Lieut. Thomas was killed, ; ! officers wounded, 52 men killed 
and wounded, and 98 missing. Mustered out of service September 25, l v, '>."». 
The regimental officers were all Chicago men. Company F, of this regiment, 
had eleven men from this county. The company officers were all from else- 
where. Of these eleven, none were killed or wounded. One, John II. Martin, 
died of d Two of the eleven deserted, viz., Samuel Wagstaffand Jordan 

Shoon. 

The Seventy-first Illinois Infantry was enlisted for three-months' service 

only. Company <i. of this regiment, was partially raised in Menard 

ity — thirty-seven of the men being from here. < >t' the officers of the 

company, only one was from Menard, this was First Lieut. James ''. Tire. 

Petersburg. Of these, none were killed or wounded, and only one died of 
this was W i 1 1 i:i in 11. Graham, from the eastern part of the county. 
i out only ninety days, they Baw but very little of the reality of soldier 
life. 

We come now to the Seventy-third Infantry, and we cannot more 
briefly or pointedly give an outline of the work of this brave bod] 
men, than by quoting the report of Lieut. Col. .lame- 1. Davidson, a- made 
llavnie. This reporl was dated at Springfield, 111., March 19, 

nt with mi'. a history would be imp gimenj 

f Illinois, in August, 1 802, and imi 
..'In nobly ni l'*i rvville. Bnished under Gen. Thorn villi-. 

•iiiM-r Infantry m in eT< \riuy of Uie 

J. until ill . ■ :ny i Nashville, and the 

win di lv report I can maki 

foun I 

and then i: from Chatl i Ind when Sher 

pushed down South, y-third remained with Gen. Thomas. \\ irl "t 

iklin, whi ind l"-i i' • 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 267 

man killed in driving Hood's army from Nashville. It has, more than once, been complimented 
by its Generals. It Lost heavily in Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Frank- 
lin. It had two Majors and two Adjutants killed and nearly every officer of the regimen! 
wounded, at some time— several ol them many times; bul as to the number of killed and 
wounded, 1 know not. We let'i the State one of the largest, and returned one of the smallest 
regiments. Her officers and men. and especially the men, have never been surpassed for brav- 
ery, endurance and devotion to the country. I believe tha< nearly two-thirds of the organiza- 
tion wasted away, either by disease, death or battles, during the three years' service. 

Such is the simple, unostentatious record of this devoted regiment. In 
Company F of this regiment, were thirty of the citizens of Menard County. 
Of the officers of this company, none were from this county, except the first 
Captain. George Montgomery, and he served only till the 19th of December, 
L862, when he resigned and left the command. Three were killed in action, 
viz., Robert Z. McBride, Enoch Preston and William Weaver. Eight of the 
others died of disease: these were Thomas D. Nolan, George W. Gardener, 
Joseph Montgomery, William W. Martenia, David Martenia, Ritchcy Mont- 
gomery, William L. Stollard and Cornelius C. Wolf. Four others were 
severely wounded, viz., James A. Coil, Wesley Long, Isaac C. Coil and 
George H. McKinney. Thus it will be seen that, of this little band going 
out from here, more than one-third the number were left to sleep amid the 
flowers of the Sunny South, undisturbed by the roar of battle, while half the 
number were among the dead or the wounded when the final account of the 
regiment was made up. Their comrades in arms " carved not a line, and 
raised not a stone, but left them alone in their glory." 

From the Seventy-third up to the Eighty-fifth, there was to be found no 
representative from "Little Menard," except here and there a company 
having on its muster-roll the name of some one who had enlisted among 
strangers, but who should have bee,n credited to this county. But Company E, 
of the Eighty-fifth, was hugely made up from this county, having the names of 
seventy-five men from here on its roll. Here again it becomes our duty to 
chronicle some of the leading events in the history of that regiment, though the 
record will necessarily be brief. 

This regiment was organized by Col. Robert S. Moore, and it was mus- 
tered into service August 28, 18(32. The organization was at Peoria, 111. 
Immediately after being mustered in. it was ordered to Louisville. Ky.. which 
point it reached about the 6th or 7th of September. Here it was assigned to 
the Thirty-sixth Brigade, Eleventh Division, Third Army Corps, Col. McCook 
commanding the Brigade, Brig. Gen. Phil. Sheridan commanding the Division, 
and Maj. Gen. Gilbert commanding the the Corps. The Eighty-fifth marched 
in pursuit of the enemy under Gen. Bragg, October 1, 1802. and took part in 
the battle of Champion Hills, at Perryville, Ky., October s th. and moved with 
the army to Nashville. Tennessee, arriving November 7, 1802. After long 
and hard service, it was mustered out June 5, 1865, at Washington. D. C, and 
arrived at Camp Butler, Illinois, dune 11, 1865, where they received final 



268 H1ST0R1 01 MENARD COUNTY. 

payment and discharge. Company E, of the Eighty-fifth Regiment was largely 
made ap of men from this county; the company officers wer< all from Peters- 
burg. The regimental officers were Cols. Robert S. Moore and Caleb J. 
Dilworth; Lieutenanl Colonels, C. J. Dilworth, James P. Walker, and James II. 
Griffith; Majors, Samuel P. Cummings, Robert G. Rider and Pleasant S.Scott. 
Of these, none were from Menard County except Maj. Scott The company 
officers of Company E were: Captain, Pleasanl L. Scott; First Lieutenants, 
Joseph M. Plonket, Bugb A. Trent and Charles Borchert; Second Lieuten- 
ants, Abraham Clary, Clark N. Andrus and Andrew F. J. Sharkey. All of 
these were from Menard County; seventy-five of the men were also from this 
county. Three were killed in action, viz., J. C. Miller, George Watterman and 
Thomas Owens; William S. Potter was killed ina railroad accident, and William 
Raj by the accidental discbarge of a pistol. The following Darned person! 
in number, died of wounds: James N. Sheets, Bowling Green, Richard Griffin, 
William F. Hokimer, A. J. Taylor, and J. ES. Thomas; four received Bevere 
wounds, of which they recovered; these wen- .lames Linn. William F. Allen, 
James Senter and John 11. Arnold. Ten others died of disease, viz., Samuel 
Haven.-. David Armstrong, John Barnett, John Cox, Michael Ekis, Wesley 
-. William A. Mi imc. Thomas Osterman, Christopher Shutt and Ephraim 
Stout. Thus, of the Beyenty-five who enlisted, just one-third, or twenty-five, 
were dead or wounded before the time of service expired. < H' the remainder. 
do less than ten deserted the rank-, and sought safety elsewhere. Pleasant 
S. Scott, who was Captain of the company at first, was promoted to the 
position of Major, served out his time, and is now a respected citizen of Peters- 
burg. 

From the Eighty-fifth, we pass the intermediate regiments ap to the One 
Hundred and Sixth before we find any men from Menard, unless it be a Bingle 
individual in a company here and there. The One Hundred and Sixth was 
organized at Lincoln, Logan Co., 111., by Col. Robert B. Latham, in August, 
1862. It was mustered into service on the L8th of September, the same y< 
On the 7th of November, it started for Columbus, K\.. by way of St. Louis, 
arriving at the objective point on the l"th of the same month. From there it 
was -",,n removed to Jackson, Tenn. At that time, Col. M. K. Lawler com- 
manded the post at Jackson, and Brig. Gen. J. C. Sullivan the district Much 
pf the time was spent west of the Mississippi Liver: and the regiment was 
mustered out of service at Line Bluff, Ark., on the 1-th of duly. L865. It 
reached Camp Butler, Illinois. July 25, L865, and then I final pay- 

ment ami disehai \ 

While this command was eminently useful in guarding post- and various 
kind- "t" service, it was not its lot to Bee much of the real tragedy of war. and 
perhaps the comedy was equally as full of amusement to the men composing 
n. <>nly one officer of the regimenl was from this county, and that was Lieut. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 269 

Col. John M. Hurt, of Athens, who died at Pine Bluff', Ark., November 18, 
1864. A company from this county — Company K, consisting of 1 |r _ men 
— belonged to this regiment. The first Captain of this company was Alonzo 
E. Currier, of Athens. He resigned June 15, 1863, and was 'succeeded by 
George Collier, of Petersburg. But, only eleven days after, Cupt. Collier 
died of disease, and was succeeded by Lieut. John A. Hurt, of Athens. < >n 
the 28th of March, 1805, Capt. Hurt was honorably discharged, to be pro- 
moted Major. Lieut. Samuel 11. Blane then became Captain and served to 
the close of the war. He is now a popular lawyer in Petersburg, 111. The 
other officers, in the order of their service, are as follows : First Lieutenants, 
George Collier, John A. Hurt, James D. McCam, Samuel H. Blane and Gfage 
S. Gritman ; Second Lieutenants, John A. Hurt, S. H. Blane and Enoch B. 
Smith. All of these, except McCam, Gritman and Smith, were promoted. 
Of these 102 men, besides the officers, 20 died of disease, viz., James McCam, 
Jesse Stone, Henry C. Black, Andrew Gunstenson, Calvin Goodell, Homer 
Goodpastine, John C. Goff, Samuel II. Hardin, James C. Hurst, James II. 
Jackson, James W. Kincaid, James McClary, Thomas 11. Metteer, Francis 
Rice, James E. Roberson, Odd A. Roe, William A. Smith, Terry Tuckleson, 
Francis A. Vanaman, George D. Brock way and David S. Rice. None were 
killed or wounded in action, nor did any desert. Through a singular Provi- 
dence, or fatality, as some of them regarded it, they were given no chance to 
exhibit their great prowess on the ensanguined field. But we doubt not 
that the motive prompting them to enlist were just as pure as that of those 
who stood where the fight was hottest; and, if opportunity had presented 
itself, no doubt they would have won as many laurels as any who marched 
under the Stars and Stripes. As said before, it was no fault of theirs that 
they were not in the thickest of the fight, for both officers and men enlisted 
to fight. 

Of the regiments we have named, there is not one of which an Illinoisan 
need be ashamed; but there were some that had better opportunity to write it- 
deeds of daring in crimson letters than others. Among the Illinois regiments 
that Avill live in the memory of man, we may name the gallant One Hundred 
and Fourteenth. This regiment was composed of six companies from Sanga- 
mon County, B, C, E, G, II and I ; two from Cass County, A and D ; and 
two from Menard, F and K. The regiment was made up in the months of 
July and August, 1862, and was mustered into service at Camp Butler, Illinois, 
on the 18th of September following. It was at once ordered to Memphis, 
Tenn., and there did picket duty until the 26th of November, when it started 
on the Tallahatchie campaign as a part of the First Brigade of Brig. Gen. 
Lanman's Division. During the winter, it marched to College Hill, and then 
to Jackson, and thence back to Memphis. On March 17, 1863, it was trans- 
ported down the river to Young's Point, and soon after went into camp at 



270 HI8TORY OF MEN IRD COUNT? 

Duckport, La. On the 2d of May, the regiment broke camp to take a posi- 
tion in the rear oi Vicksburg, and, on the 14th of May, engaged in the battle 
of ■' i M as. R ed the rear of Vicksburg the 18th, and took part in 

the siege. Just one mouth after the fall of Vicksburg, Col. James W. Judy, 
County, i Thia w -• 1. 1863, be having served 

• mi days lesa than one year. II-' was led by Lii l John F. 

Samuel N'. Shoup acted as Colonel after May II. l s, '--">. The regiment 
participated in the battles of Wyatt, Mississippi, Guntown, Tupelo, Elarris- 
ville. I" . tin- long and tedioua pursuit of Gen. Price in Missouri, 

marching from the Arkansas border, to Kansas City and back to St. Louis. 
At both Guntown ami Harrisville, the regiment was highly complimented fo r 
bravery. Having returned South, on the night of the 13th of April (the very 
night that President Lincoln was shot), the regiment waa ordered to attack 
ami Hugee, situated in Mobile Bay. The attack was made in 
pontoon boats, hut when the forts were reached, they were found to have been 
entirely evacuated. After the surrender of Mobile, the regiment marched to 
Montgomery, Ala., arriving April 24, and t»ri' l^ri rur the Alabama River with 
pontoons, remained on duty at the bridge until the 17th of July, when it was 
ordered to Vicksburg, to he mustered out. On tin 1 3d of August, l v, '>-~>. it was 
mustered out. ami reached Camp Butler, Illinois. August 7. ami were paid off, 
and discharged August 15, 1 E 

Company C, though not credited as a company to Menard County, had 
thirty men from that county in its rank and file. < hit of the thirty, four were 
killed in battle, viz.. William M. Blue, Jamea Griffith, John W. Langston and 
William Bumford. Two died of wounds, dame- 11. Mitchell and Benjamii 
r. One waa severely wounded hut recovered: this was William Lawn 
Two died in prison, viz. Simeon Little and Charles S. Parker; two others, 
who wen- in prison, lived to be exchanged, viz.. William II. Holland ami 
William Staple-. Six deserted. Thirteen died of disease; these were 
William Can trail, George II. Broaderick, Young M. Cantrall, David S. Dris- 
call, Charles Frisby, Jacob P>. Hutchinson, [saac N. Halladay, Henry Parks, 
William < >. Smith. .John W. Sampson, Peter Sebriney, Charles C. Tufta and 
John W. Wilson. 

Company K mustered fifty-six men from Menard County. Capt. Absalom 

Milhr. of Menard: Firsl Lieutenant. Willett B. Taylor, of CaSS, and S< 
Lieutenant. Joseph T. Workman, of Menard, were the company officers. Two 
of this company. G \. Bell and Charles P. Carson, were killed in action ; 

Thomas R. Humphrey and Robert J. Clarke died of wounds; Jai 9 Smith 
erely wounded but recovered; two died in prison, viz.. David Monroe 
and William II. Penny. 8 it of this >'■ were f>r a tune prisoners 

hut were exchanged; their nam* follows: Jacob B wn, Jasper I 

11, William D. Colby, A. J. Etherton, George II. Hoff, John A. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 271 

Kinner and Russel B. Thrapp. Died of disease, twelve, viz., Richard Smedley, 
Thomas S. Armstrong, James W. Bell, Thomas l>. Fuller. John A. Kurd, 
John McNeal. Michael Spinner, William A. Smith, William Tippet, George 
M. Wilson. Lycurgus Workman and John A. Conyers. There were also two 
deserters from this company, hut we will doI record their names on these 
pages. 

Company K, of the One Hundred and Fourteenth, was also raised in this 
County, and ninety two of her citizens were enrolled in it. The company offi- 
cers were all, save one, from this county. They were: Captains, Samuel Estill 
and Robert Hornback, First Lieutenants, Lucian Terhune and Ezra Fish, Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. Henry C. Rogge. All of these, except Fish, were from Men- 
ard. Of the men, Joseph Denton was killed in battle; James Morris and 
John M. Hart died of wounds received in battle, while Jesse Knoles lost a leg 
at the knee, but recovered. Four were taken prisoners ; these w r ere William 
.1. Allen, Henry Beekman, Evan McLean and Samuel S. Knoles; the last 
named, now editor of the Petersburg Democrat, was in Andersonville for nine 
months. Not long before he was taken prisoner, while in the heat of battle, 
he was hit square over the heart with a minie ball, but having a large bunch 
of letters in the breast pocket of his coat (letters from the girl he left behind 
him, perhaps), the ball lodged in the center of the letters and he escaped with 
a thorough shaking-up and a severe bruise. Fourteen of the company died of 
disease ; these were David F. Estill, Louis P. Moore, William J. Denton, 
George W. Powell, Isaac F. Estill, William Johnson, Harman Meyer, Joseph 
Oswold, Isaac Snodgrass, Rhodes Snodgrass, John W. Trumbo, Walter Taylor. 
Arthur Thomas and John Yelkin. Eight of the privates, full of chivalry and 
patriotism, took " French leave," that is. they deserted; their names we will 
not give at present. This completes the record of this regiment, so far as we 
have'space to give it. Menard County had 178 men in the ranks of this 
brave body of men. Many are sleeping on the hillsides of the Sunny South, 
•while many others, having almost forgotten the arts of war. are here enjoying 
the liberties for which they fought, showing the same fortitude and courage 
exhibited by them in battle. 

The One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry will now be noticed 
briefly, as among its men we find quite a number from this county. But had 
there been none of our volunteers among them, we would be almost led to 
state a few facts concerning it, as it merits a place wherever a record is made 
of Illinois soldiers. The One Hundred and Fifteenth was ordered into the 
field from Camp Butler, Illinois, on October 4, 1862, having mustered in the 
i ; '>th of September of the same year. It went to Cincinnati, and. the same day. 
crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. It was assigned to the Second Bri- 
gade, Second Division, Army of Kentucky. It was never actively engaged in 
battle until it was ordered to Franklin, Tenn.. in March. 1863. But the 



_, 2 HISTORY OP MEN \KI» COUNTY. 

mortality, on account of exposure, hard marching and a diet to which they were 
unaccustomed, with the change of climate, was tearful. Op to that time, more 
than two hundred men had died or been permanently disabled by disease; they 
had died by scores. After driving Gren. B rray across the Tennes 

:. on the 24th of June, L863, the brigade h:nl a respite from battle until 
the 19th of September. On this day, it engaged in the bloody conflict of 
Chrckamauga. In this battle, the loss of the One Hundred and Fifteenth 
was rery Blight. <>n September -<K it crossed to the Bupport of Gen. 
Thomas, on the extreme right, leaving camp at Bunrise. At 1 o'clock P. M., 
n engaged the rebels of Thomas' right with Steadman's division, ten regiments 
reserve corps. After a most tearful and Banguinary struggle, it held its posi- 
tion until nighl put an end to the day's carnage. Hut it was held at a fearful 
See, more f/i'i/i one-half the command hcing cut down on the field. 
The regimenl took part in the battles of Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and 
countless skirmishes. 

In the campaign around Chattanooga, the regiment lost 235 men and P> 
officers* among them being Lieut. Col. Kinman, of Jacksonville. After this, 
it fought at Dalton, Resaca, Atlanta and other points, and finally was in the 

pursuit of Hood from Nashville. It was mustered out of service near .Yish- 

ville, on the 1 1 th of June, L865, and reaching Camp Butler, Illinois, on the 

16th of dune, there received final pay and discharge dune 23, L865. 

Company K of this regiment was made up in part of men from this 
county, there being forty-three among the privates and three of the company 

officers from Menard County. The company officers were as follows: Cap- 
tains — -Ja - le and Alanson Pierce, both of Menard, and Philip Rile; 
Springfield: Firsl Lieutenants — Sylvester M. Bailey, of Salisbury ; Philip 

Riley ami Samuel Alexander, of Menard; Second Lieutenant — Philip Riley. 
This company had killed m action, two. J&mea B. Strode and William B, 

England. Three of it- number died in prison, Lewis J. Ferguson, Edward R. 

('enter and William II. 1 Jumgardiier. Two were for a time prisoners, but 

were at length exchanged; these were Andrew J. Hall and Jacob \. Allison. 
The following persons, six in number, died in prison: dame- P. Moran, Will- 
iam Bailey, William Ferguson, William L. Hyde. Smith A. Marshall and Law- 
• whart. Six, also, were deserters. In one or two other companies in 
tins regiment, there were one or two men from this county, but the reader will 

find a list of these I individuals at the close of this article : it is uniiee- 

to -peak of any of them in this place. 

The One Hundred and Thirty third Illinois Volunteer Infantry \\ 

iaed at ("amp Butler by Col. Thaddeus Phillips, and mustered into the service 

DC hundred day- on the Blsl of May. L864. On the 8d of dune, it was 

removed to Rock Island Barracks, and was there assigned the duty of guarding 

prisoner^ id' war. This duty it faithfully performed during its term of service, 

and. on th,- 24th of the following September, it was mustered out of servii 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 273 

Camp Butler. The regimental officers were : Colonel, Thaddeus Phillips ; 
Lieutenant Colonel, John E. Moore ; Major, James F. Langley. Company I, 
of the One Hundred and Thirty-third contained twenty-three men from Menard 
County. The company officers were : Captain, Alfred Orendorff, of Lincoln ; 
First Lieutenant, Ethan A. Norton, of Petersburg ; and, Second Lieutenant, 
Samuel A. Rannels, of Murrayville. Of the twenty-four men of this county, 
counting Lieut. Norton, not one died or deserted ; and, as they were never in 
action, of course none were killed or wounded. 

The One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infantry was organized by Col. 
Ferdinand D. Stephenson, at Camp Butler, and was mustered in for one year's 
service on the 18th of February, 1865. On the 20th of the same month, it 
moved to Tullahoma, Tenn., by way of Nashville, and there reported for duty 
to Maj. Gen. Milroy, February 28, 1865. The regiment was mustered out at 
Memphis, Tenn., on the 11th of September, 1865. It reached Camp Butler, 
Illinois, September 19, 1865, and received final payment and discharge. The 
regimental officers were : Colonel, Ferdinand D. Stephenson, of Groveland ; 
Lieutenant Colonel, Jasper Partridge, of Whitmore ; and John N. Nale, 
of Blue Mound. One company of the regiment was partially raised in this 
county. This was Company A. Of the company, forty-eight men and two 
officers (fifty, in all) were from Menard. The company officers were : Cap- 
tain, William S. Slocumb, of Groveland ; First Lieutenant, Merritt Hurst, 
of Menard; and Second Lieutenant, James N. Barger, of Menard, also. 
None were killed, wounded or prisoners, the only reduction of the company 
being from disease and desertion. Four died of disease, viz.: Andrew J. Brown, 
John Flemming, Noah L. Weaver and Stephen L. Wilson. The deserters 
were three. 

This closes the record of the part taken by this county in the infantry ser- 
vice, but the cavalry had several representatives from Menard County, a record 
of which we will now give very briefly. The Tenth Cavalry was the only 
cavalry regiment in which any considerable number of men from this county 
were enrolled. The Tenth Cavalry was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, 
on the 25th of November, 1861. Dudley Wickersham was appointed its 
Colonel on the 1 5th of May, 1862. On the 20th of December, 1861, 
it moved to Quincy, 111., and, on the 13th of March following, it was ordered 
to Benton Barracks, Mo. From this time on, this regiment saw hard 
service until it was mustered out. It was made up of a fine lot of men, who 
were ever ready for the fray. It was finally mustered out of service at San 
Antonio, Tex., on the 22d of November, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, 
111., for final pay and discharge. The regimental officers were as follows : 
Colonels, James A. Barrett, Dudley Wickersham and James Stuart: Lieutenant 
Colonels. Dudley Wickersham, James Stuart, Samuel N. Hitt, Egleton Car- 
michael and Thomas D. Yredenburgh : Majors, T. I). Yredenburgh, George A. 
Wills. William A. Ohapjn and Tabner B. Pierce. Of these officers of the 



274 HI8T0R1 OF mi:n \i.: 001 

nil', none were of this county. Two companies of this regiment were made, 
partially, at least, in this county. Th< Companies A and E. Of the 

first of these, thirty-tun men and two officers were from Menard. I 

Capt. Christopher II. Anderson, oi 8 . and Second Lieut. 

Samuel F. Russell, of Athei <>f Company A were killed in battle, 

although Samuel Montgomery .lie. I of wounds received in action. Seven died 
><{' .i were Bradley V. Atwood, Joseph McReynolds, Joseph L. 

Markwell, John <'. li G B ling, Blisha Hall ami Selathiel <i. 

I. .i'ii. Company K mustered sixty-.-ix men from Menard County, and one 
officer. The company officers were: Captains, Henry Reily, Samuel J. Byrd 

ami William II. Si r: I DtS, Columbus Cross, William II. 1 

S. J. Byrd, Henry .1. Solomon ami Samuel 15. Garber; Second Lieutenant, 
William .J. Darman. Of these officers, only Samuel 15. Garber was from 
Menard County. Out of this company, Done were killed in action. Simon 1'. 
pson died of wounds received in a fight. Four died of disease, \i/..: Levy 
Shaw. Michael Bolson, -lame- M. Reed and William Young. From s 
unknown cause, the Dumber of deserters was excessively large in proportion to 
the numbers, there being m> less than ten of the sixty-six who did not 

■■ Fighl mii I run a ■••. 
To live i" fight uiother .1 ■ 

but they ran away before they foughl a battle. 

This brings us to the artillery. Only three men of Menard County were 
in the artillery, so far as we can learn, a^ the Adjutant General's Report - ; 
James Ward, of Athens, Menard County, was mustered in a< an unassigned 
recruit, int.. the First Artillery, <>n the 20th of March, 1864. Edward L. 
Bingley, of Petersburg, enlist..! m- a recruit in Battery B, of the Second Artil- 
lery, on the s th of March. 1864 : and was mustered out July 15, 1865. Albert 

Albertson of P ulisted in Battery K. of the Sei 1 Artillery, on the 

27th of January , l s, iii He re-enlisted as a veteran, and served till the* 
of the war. lie served most of the time, while in action, m~ \ . 1 or No. -. 
that is, either place. 1 the cartridge in the mouth ..f the gun, or rammed it b 
Albertson was in a number of battles, bis Lattery being charged more than 

. and many of the men cut down at their guns. Mr. Albertson *till ree 
ted ami industrious citizen. 
■ml our power to give a full list of these men of Menard County 
win. heh oram an da belonging to other counties : we will mention a few 

of those who were offic ' E. McDougall. now a merchant of 1'. 

burg, was Captain of Company E, in the Sixty-first Infantry, lie enlisted in 
Greene County. Jai f Menard County, was First Lieutenant in 

G, of the Seventy-first Infantry. As befo i. quite a nui 

of enlistments from this county, in companies from other parts of ti. 
cannot, by any possibility, he found. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 



275 



Below we give a tabular view of the enlistments, officers, deaths from vari- 
ous causes, the wounded, deserters, etc., etc., from the county. Had space 
allowed, we would have given the place, date, circumstances, etc., of all the cas- 
ualties of soldiers from this county, during the war from first to last : 

SUMMARY OF 'INK w Alt RKCOBD OP HBNABI) COUNTY. 



REGIMENT AND COMPANY. 


1 Number 
Enlisted. 


a 

i| 

'•2< 


Z ~ 

a 

-r 9 
1. o 

5£ 


- O 

5< 


— 

— 
E 

z 


5£ 


jl 

11 




X. 


.... n v 


80 1 






Fourteenth and Fifteenth Regiments, Company A... 


24 

in: 














I 




3 

7 






9 

1 
2 


■■', 




39 l 

16 








l 









1 




24 
12 

11 

37 

30 

75 

102 

30 

66 

92 

43 

23 

48 

32 

66 

1 

1 

1 




• 




















2 
1 
1 
E 

Id 
20 
13 
12 
14 
6 










» 








■' 




















3 

:; 






4 

1 










6 


2 







10 


One Hundred and Sixth Regiment, Company K... 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, <\>. C 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, •'<>. F 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, Co. K 

One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, Co. K 

One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment, Co. 1 

One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, Co. A... 




4 
2 

1 
2 




2 




1 

! 


2 

•-' 
1 
3 


•J 
7 
-1 
2 


6 






















4 
7 
4 


•> 




1 
1 
























10 




































































980 
31 
73 


21 
2 
3 


19 


•> 


21 
5 


8 15 


117 
3 
9 


HO 


Total Officers 




























Total 


1084 2fi 


19 


•_> 


26 


S IS 




50 















Total deaths of officers and men from all causes, 1S4. A great many of 
those who returned home have since died, so that soldiers of the late war are 
not numerous in the county, even though over one thousand entered the service 
eighteen years ago. The record of the names of all who enlisted should be 
given, that the future generations should know who they were that came to the 
rescue in the hour of the country's peril. A lew years in the future and the 
Report of the Adjutant General will be out of print, and the great mass of 
those who suffered and hied and died will be forgotten. 

SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812 IN MENARD COUNTY. 

Of course this county sent no soldiers into the last war with England : but 
as this part of Illinois began to be settled up only a few years after the close 
of that war. a great many who had served their country at that time, settled 
here, and made this their home ever after. But nearly all of these have long 
since gone to their final rest. In our cemeteries, we frequently see inscriptions 



276 BISTORT OF MENARD OOUNTT. 

telling the feci thai some of these men sleep in this ]>art of the State Only 

ir or two ago, oi f these old patriots was laid to rest beneath the l< 

and flowers of Rose Hill Cemetery. He was well stricken in years, but, at the 
mention of the days of trial he experienced in the war, the old fire would come 
back to i. md, for a time, he Beemed to have regained all the fire of his 

youth : bat, at the change of the theme of conversation, he relapsed again into 
the apathy and weakness of extreme old age. He was buried by a detachment 

of the State Guard with the honors of war. We can Learn of only three per- 
now living in the county, who were soldiers in that war. and these ar. 

course, all very old men. Mr. Tarleton Lloyd, living on Lock Creek, Borne 

six miles BOUth of Petersburg, was a man oi'. at least, thirty years of age at the 

beginning of that war. When war was declared, he was living with his family in 
one of the Southeastern States. Notwithstanding the fact that he had a wife 
and children at the time, he unhesitatingly responded to the call of his country, 
ami enlisted in the army, lie served faithfully till the fall of (Jen. Packen- 

halii and the close of the war. having heen in several engagements, ami then 
returned to his family. In L820, he settled on the place where he now 1: 

■ 1 a targe family (several of whom are still in this part of the State), ami 
still lives, a hale and hearty man considering hi- age. He remembers facts in 
ins earlier life remarkably well, and nothing pleases him better than for the 

younger people to listen to his : the war. and the early history of Illi- 

nois. There are conflicting statements concerning Mr. Lloyd's aire. Accord- 
ing to his own statement, he is DOW ahoiit ninety-six yean of age. Bui those 

who have known him long, Bay that he has claimed to lie of that age tor Be veral 
Those who knew him forty or fifty years ago, Bay that according to the 

account he then gave of his age, tog 'her with his appearance at that time, 
he is now. certainly, several year- above a century old. William iSstill, liv- 
ing on Indian »'reek. five mil Petersburg, was also a soldier in 

tin- late war with England. Sometime after the dose of the war, he removed 

to Illinois, and ha- lived ever since within a i'cw mile- of his present residence. 
His first « M William-, sister of John William-, one of the leading 

capitalists of this county. She died many years ago, and Borne yean later, he 

wa- married t,. a widow lady — Mrs. Kli/.a Hayden. By hi- first wife.hr reared 
a large family of children, among them were ('apt-. William .1. and Samuel 

Estill, of the war of the rebellion : Lieut. Isaac ami a younger brother, both 
rhom died in the service; and also, Joseph ami .lame- Estill (both 
farmen) living in the eastern portion of the county. Besides these Bona, he 
has two daughters still living. These are Mrs. Luther Jennison, living 
near Greenview, and Mrs. William Price, mar Athens. u Uncle Lilly, 
a- he i- generally called, i- now eighty-five year- of age, and. with the 

ption of considerable Buffering from rheumatism, is in remarkably g 1 

health for one of this great age. He became a professor of religion in early 
lite, ami ha-, tor about half a century, been a Ruling Elder in the Cumberland 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 270 

Presbyterian Church. He is a man of deepest piety, and, perhaps, no man 
in this part of Illinois has exerted a greater influence for good by a con- 
stantly devoted and consistent Christian life than he. In fact, among all classes, 
he is held in the highest esteem, and regarded as a model of devoted 
piety. The third soldier of the late war with England, living in this county, 
is Mr. Lewis McKay, living on Rock Creek, seven miles south of Petersburg, 
and in the same neighborhood with Mr. Tarleton Lloyd, spoken of before. 
Mr. McKay is now eighty-two years old ; as straight as a boy, and, with the 
exception of a defect in his hearing, he seems to be in the enjoyment of excel- 
lent health for one of his years. Unfortunately, we have not had the means 
of learning the history of Mr. McKay. He went into the service in 1814, 
hence, was not more than seventeen years old at that time. He served till the 
close of the war, and then settled down to the practice of the arts of peace. 
He is a perfect gentleman in all his deportment, and is honored and respected 
by all who know him. He, at present, makes his home with his son-in-law and 
daughter — Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Golden. We should delight to honor those 
old men who have done so much for our country. They are almost all gone. 
Here and there one still lives, but a few years from now — in less than a decade 
— the last of them will have gone to the journey's end. 

It becomes our duty, in this connection, to speak briefly of another military 
organization in this county. This organization is the 

HARRIS GUARDS. 

On the 8th day of October, 1874, a militia company was organized in Peters- 
burg, under the provisions of the statutes entitled "Militia," and approved 
March 3, 1845. The company kept up its organization, though not in a perfect 
form, until the 1st of July, 1877, when it was re-organized under the new 
militia law, of the State, which was approved May 18, 1877. The company 
was named in honor of a former statesman and soldier of this place, Maj. 
Thomas L. Harris. Maj. Harris filled that position in the Mexican war with 
bravery and distinction ; and, after the war, represented this district in Con- 
gress. He was growing rapidly in popularity, but when little more than forty 
years of age, he was stricken down by death. When the company was organ- 
ized and sworn in, it was attached to the Fifth Regiment of Illinois National 
Guards, the company being Company E, regimental headquarters at Springfield. 
The Guards have occupied Fisher's Hall as an armory, in the past, but they. 
in connection with the Masonic fraternity, have now in process of erection an 
armory and hall, which is to be finished this fall, and is to cost $10,000. The 
Harris Guards have never been called into active service but once; this was 
during the labor riots, in the summer and fall of 1877. The company was 
first called to Springfield, and thence ordered to East St. Louis, where they 
remained until quiet and order were restored throughout the country. While 
on duty, they exhibited coolness, discretion and fortitude in a very remarkable 



HI8TQRI OF MENARD OOUNTT. 

degree, and in tin- ira; ring quiet in Bast St. 

Louis and St. Louis. They are well armed and cicely uniformed, and are well 
drilled in the manual of arms. The men arc principally just in the prime of 
life, and on parade they present a fine appearance. The officers of the company 
are all old Boldiers, and well informed in military matters. <"a]>t. McDougall 
was captain of a company in the war of tin- rebellion, and proved himself a 
true soldier. BeUw we give a full roster of the officers and men of the com- 
pany: Captain, Charles E. McDougall ; I (tenant, John M.Walki ; S 
ond Lieutenant, James 11. Carman; First Sergeant, James W. Conant; Second 

eant, Edward C. Drake; Third Sergeant, John < '. ' labanis; Fourth Sergeant, 
Frank Meyer; Fifth Sergeant, Julius Rothschild; First Corporal, .Michael F. 
Farney; Second Corporal, William Kern; Third Corporal, Powell Antle; 
Fourth Corporal, L. II. Fouch; Fifth Corporal, Charles R. Collier; Sixth 
Corporal, Eugene W. Bads; 3eventh Corporal, John B. Barnhard; Secretary, 
E. R. Oeltjen. Privates — Leopold Ahronheim, John P. Brehl, Howard 1>. 
Burbank, James E. l>a\i-. Alonzo E. Estill, John l». Frei e, Harry Harris, 
William E. Hatfield, Robert II. -lame-. Mayo Jones, John A. Larman, John 
II. McDougall, George W. Morris, Frank A. Elainey, Thomas A. Ruddy, 

Henry Wegharst, Film! Wilkinson, Thomas J. Lewis, Edward L. Q Iman, 

James M. Bale, William 1!. Humphreys, James II. Bowen, Lynch Bri 
John R. Connover, Orin I>. Dolan C. Freese, William <;. Gottschall, 

Albert L. Hatch, Lorens ■ W. Heelan, Hermann Janssen, William S.Judy, 
Frank McDougall, George S. Montgomery, Albert F. Oeltjen, Edward I>. Rob- 
ertson, Marshall W. Thomas, Leo Werner, Edward I'. Wright, Marcus John- 
Charles Laparierre, James Faith and Frank II a 

The company has on its roll of officers and men fifty-eight names in all. 
They also have connected with the company an excellent brass hand, known 
Harris Guard Brass Band. They drill regularly, and, taken all in all, 
they are a remarkably fine company of military men. 

This general history would be incomplete without a. list of the county offi- 
From its organisation to the present time. This wewill'give, without com- 
ment. The reader will remember thai the county was nol organised until 

5 riff's. — lames Goldsby, commissioned April 15, l s -">'.'. A. 
L840, and August 16, 1842; \. A. Rankin, August 9, 1844, andAugusl L8, 
1 — i * ► z James Taylor, August 17. L848 ; James <i. Long, December - ,; . l s l v 
and December -. L850; B. D. M \ mber 18, 1852; J. B. Gum, 

April 8, L858, and November 14, 1854; J. B. Goldsby, November I". I- 
.1. M. Hurt, Decembers, I- - \. K.Johnson, November J". I860; w 
Sm ember s . \^<>-: J. M. Quinn, November 21, 1864; John 

November 14, L866; Robert Clary, November 20, I" 1 Wilkinson, 

ember 29, 1870, and November 27, l v 7_': Wolf Feulner, Novembei 
1874, and November 27, l v 7«'. •. Fred Wilkinson, March 26, 1878. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 281 

Probate Justices. — Asa D. Wright, commissioned April 15, L839, May I, 
1839, and August 2:3, 1843; Nathan Dresser, September IS, L846; Asa D. 
Wright. August 11, 1847. 

Recorders. — William G. Spears, commissioned April 16, 1839; Jacob H. 
Laning, September 11, 1843; Cornelius Rourke, September 17, 1*47. 

Coroners. — Martin S. Morris, commissioned April L5, 1839; George D. 
Adams, August 7, 1840; John E. Rawlings, August 6, 1842; Ira McGlas- 
son, August 9, 1844, and August 27. 1846 ; McLean Wood. August 23, 1848; 
T. P. Garretson, November 20, 1850; C. Levering, November 13, 1862; W. 
T. Hutchinson, November 23, 1853; William Trent, November 14. 1864; F. 
C. Davis, November 10, 1856; J. T. Brooks, December 3, 1858; C. Level- 
ing, November 24, 1860, and December 8, 1862 ; A. L. Clary, November 26, 
1864, and November 28, 1866; L. L. Montgomery, June 23, 1869 ; G. W. 
Hicks, February 20, 1871; J. J. Erwin, November 24, 1874; L. Ahronheim. 
November 27, 1876; Charles Cowan, December 1, 1877. 

Surveyors. — Edmund Greer, commissioned April 15, 1839 ; John B. Gum, 
September 12, 1843, and September 17, 1847 ; Anno Hitter, December 11, 
1849, November 10, 1851, and November 20. 1853: E. Hall, November 12. 
1855 ; William F. West, November 20, 1857 ; D. N. Carithers, November 
25, 1859, and December 9, 1861 ; John B. Gum, November 18, 1863; A. E. 
Mick, December 2, 1864, November 18, 1865, and November 14, 1867 ; A, J. 
Kelly, November 23, 1869, and November 18, 1875. 

Public Administrators. — Lewis B. W>nn, commissioned February 14, 18 1"'. ; 
George U. Miles, July 31, 1845 ; McLean Wood, February 16, 184'.'. 

County Judges. — Jacob Garber, commissioned November 22, 1849 ; C. J. F. 
Clarke, November 23, 1853, and November 14, 1857 : J. H. Pillsbury, December 
0, 1801 ; M. B. Harrison, November 20, 1865; C. M. Robertson, November 
23, 186H ; J. H. Pillsbury, November 1!>, 1873 ; John Tice, December 1, 1877. 

Associate Justices. — James Mott, commissioned November 20, 1853 ; J. 
Reed, November 23, 1853; C. J. Hutchinson, July 17, 1854, and November 
14, 1857; Robert Clary, November 14, 1857, and December 9, 1861 : D. T. 
Hughes, December 0, 1861; R. Woldridge, November 15. 1869; II. Warn- 
sing, December 3, 1869. 

County Clerks. — Cornelius Rourke. commissioned November 22. 1849, 
November 23, 1853, November 14, 1857, and December !'. 1861 : Ilobard 
Hamilton, November 20, 1865; A. E. Mick, November 15. 1869; Anson 
Thompson. November 19, 1873, and December 1, 1877. 

Circuit Clerks. — A. K. liiggin, commissioned September 4, 1848, Novem- 
ber 13, 1852, and November 14, 1856 ; Joseph Johnson, November 20, I860 ; 
William J. Estill, November 12, L864, and November 20. 1868: T. C. Ben- 
nett, November 15, 1872. and November 27, 1*76. 

States' Attorneys. — II. W. Masters, commissioned November 20. 1872, and 
November 27, 1876. 



His Tni: V OF MENABD COUNTY. 

. and Treasurers. — rohn Tice, commissioned November 25, L857, 
November 25, L859, and November l v . L863; J. W. Cheaney, November 
15, L869, and December L8, L871 ; Charles II. Thomas, November 18, l- 
and 1 December 1. 1 V 7T. 

School Comn — 0. D. Clarke, commissioned November 20, I 

.1. II. Pillsbury, December 20, 1857, and November 25, 1859; Edward Lan- 
ing, November Vi Edward Booth (changed to Superintendent of 

November L5, L865; William II. Berry, November 15, L869; K. 
B. I' - N ivember 19, L873; R. D. Miller, January 3, 1877, and December 
1. 1-77. 

The present officers of the county are as follows, viz.: County Judge, John 
Tire: Master in Chancery, R. N. Stevens; Sheriff, Frederick Wilkinson, and 
Deputy, John Cabanis ; County Commissioners, James Altig, Andrew Gaddy 
and Prank Duncan; State's Attorney, II. V7. Masters; Circuit Clerk, Theo- 
C. Bennett, with 0. 15. Carter, Deputy; County Clerk, Anson Thomp- 
son, with K. I>. Robertson, Deputy; Assessor and Treasurer, Charles H. 
Thomas; Surveyor, A. J. Kelley; Coroner, David Cowan; Superintendent of 
Schools, R. D. Miller. The county owns an excellent farm, well improved, 
and lying within two miles of Petersburg, which is used as a home for the indi- 
gent ami homeless. 

PETERSBl RG PRECINt T. 

Mounl Vernon, the ancestral home "1" the Father of Bis Country, is dear 
to every American heart. Bis mortal remains lie entombed there, and feelings 
of patriotism diverge from the venerated spot, as golden rays are reflected hack 
from the Betting sun. As Columbia's first and greatest son, he is embalmed in 
the national memory a< Joseph was by his brethren, and reverently assigned a 

place •• LmoDg the few immortal qao 

That were mil bom I" 'lie." 

In that portion of Mellaril County to which this chapter is devoted, is an his? 

laJ Bpot, that, next to Mounl Vernon, Bhould be highly cherished as long 
liberty and true patriotism prevail in this great republic. We allude to <>hl 
Salem, formerly the home of Abraham Lincoln. Here it may be said that he 

made his start in the world, and, although little remain- of tl riginaJ town. 

the Bpot is endeared to the people of the county as the early home of the mar- 
tyred President. It seems to us a duty that the State owes to his memor 
purchase the Bite of the old town, appropriately care for it. as the National 
rnment does Mount Vernon, and doubt not but the time will come when 

this additional honor will be paid him. We Bhall have mure t.. say of the old 

historical town elsewhere in these pa 

the largest township or precinct in Menard County, ami like- 
wise the most important, inasmuch as it contains the -eat of justice, I- 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 283 

embraces portions of Towns 18 north, Ranges 6, T and < s west, and by Gov- 
ernment survey contains about fifty-seven sections, and is bounded north by 
Sandridge Precinct, east by Indian Creek and Athens, south by Rock Creek 
and Tallula, and Avest by Cass County. The Sangamon * River flows through 
the precinct, entering it at very nearly the southeast corner, running almost a 
northwest course to Section 2o, in Range 7, when it turns due north, passing 
out through Section 1, when it becomes the boundary line between Indian 
Creek and Sandridge Precincts. Indian Creek forms the boundary between 
this and Indian Creek Precinct, while Clary's Creek runs through the western 
part of the precinct, and Little Grove Creek has its source at a few miles dis- 
tance, southwest of Petersburg, (lowing northwest to the Sangamon River. 
These streams supply an abundance of water for all general purposes, as well 
as ample means of drainage. Excellent timber borders the water-course 
more minutely described in the general history of this work, and consists of 
the species usually found in this part of the State. A large portion of the 
precinct is fine prairie land, the timber, as above stated, being confined chiefly 
to the margin of the streams. The Chicago & Alton Railroad and the Spring- 
field & Northwestern intersect it, the one crossing from northeast to southwest 
and the other from southeast to northwest, thus affording ample means of com- 
munication with the outside world. Petersburg, the capital of the county, is 
the only town of any note within its borders, and will be more particularly 
referred to further on in this chapter. It also contains the historic, but now 
almost defunct town of Old Salem, which receives due notice in another page. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlements made in this division of Menard County are involved 
in Bome obscurity, and authentic information pertaining to them seems almost 
beyond reach at the present day. With nearly sixty years stretching between 
the advent of the pale-face pioneers and the present period, it is not strange 
that there should be conflicting statements as to whom belongs the honor of 
making the original settlement in Petersburg Precinct. From our investigations 
and the most reliable sources of information at hand, we are of opinion that the 
Esteps were the first white men in this locality. They wen- originally from 
the State of North Carolina, but emigrated to Tennessee early in the beginning 
of the present century, and from thence came to Illinois, locating in St. Clair 
County. In the spring of 1820-21, .lames Estep came to Menard County, or 
Sangamon, as it then was, and made a claim in this precinct, near or within the 
present city of Petersburg. lie was followed in a few month- by his brother 
Enoch and his father. Elijah Estep. Upon the arrival of his father, he gave 
his claim to him, and moved across the river and located on what was later 
known a> Baker's Prairie. Elijah Estep built a small horse-mill, which was 
afterward embraced in the city limits, and otherwise improved the claim by 
erecting OD it a cabin of the regular pioneer pattern. He died early, and but 



284 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

little is remembered of him by any now living in thi> Bection. Enoc I 
removed t<> Arkansas many \ and whether living or not, we do not 

know. James, who seems to I a a kind of roving character, never con- 

tented long in one place, from Baker's Prairie moved over into the present 
township of ( >unty, where he bought a claim of 

James Button. In the fevi years following, he occupied various places, and in 

2 moved to Arkansas, but returned the following year to Mason County. 
Remaining a fe^i years, he moved back to Menard County, and finally to Mis- 
tin returned to Mason County, where he died in L857, on the place 
now owned by bis son, J. M. ESstep. II xibed as a man of considerable 

eccentricity, and. with all his meandering around from place to place, i 
rented a home, but always bought and Bold. True, the old saying is. that " \ 
rolling Btone gathers no moss," and Mr. Bstep accumulated but little of the 
world's goods, dying in indigent circumst This pioneer, supposed to 

have been the first white settler in Petersburg Precinct, sleeps in New Hope 
Cemetery, in Mason County, beside the partner of his life, \\h" preceded him a 
few years to the " land of shadows. 

d after the settlement of the ESstep — probably the latter part of the 
Bame year — the Watkinses and a man named I • • ti - came to the precinct. 
There were Joseph, Samuel. .lames. John and Thomas Watkins. They were 
from Kentucky, and some of them settled in < Ilary's Grove as early as 1 819-20. 
Joseph and Samuel Wat kin- made claims in this precinct in 1821, as n 
above, while James Watkins did not come until 1825 26. Thomas Watkins 
boughl the claim of John Clary, acknowledged by the majority of old citizens 
t«i be the first white settler of Menard County, as noticed in the history of 
Clary's Grove. This claim VTatkins sold to George Spears, in 1824, and 
removed to the "river timber," near the presenl city of Petersburg, where he 
eventually died. The eld Watkins Btock are. we believe, all dead, but there 
•ill descendants of the family living in the county Thomas, Jr., ■ son of 
Thomas Watkins, was born in the county in 1824, and may be recorded among 
the early hirt lis. lie Is atill living in this precinct, and is probably the ol 
native hum citizen of the count} . He served one year in the Mexican war. Mack 
W at kins, another sun. also lives in the precinct. Teeters moved into Sandr 
Precinct, where he is further noticed. Jacob Short and three sons, Obadiah, 
Harrison and .lame- came in 1822. They wen- from the Bouth end of the 
. where they had roided for some time before c iming to this county. In 
1824, they moved into Sandridge, where Jacob Short dud in 1825, and where 
Harrison also died some years later. Obadiah died at Nauvoo, and James 
removed to Iowa, where he, too, died. 

During the next two or tfa . the little community was increased by 

the arrival of several additional families, among which were: ker, 

Henry and William ('lark. Ephraim and William Wilcox, Henrj McHenry, 
Daniel Atterberry, Andrew, Jacob and Spencer Merrill, and perhaps othi 



HISTORY OF MENARD 001 NH . 285 

Jesse Baker settled on Baker's Prairie, and from him it derived its name. He 
moved into Mason County about 1836, and located in the present township of* 
Kilbourne, where he is mentioned as one of the pioneers of that section. He 
has passed to his last account since we began the work of compiling this his- 
tory. Henry and William Clark, brothers, rami' from Kentucky and settled 
in this precinct. William died many years ago, but Henry is still living upon 
the place of his original settlement, just across the river from Petersburg. 
He and his wife have lived together for fifty-six years. Ephraim and 
William Wilcox were also from Kentucky, and both died in this county, a 
number of years ago. Henry McHenry still lives in Petersburg, and owns 
the brick hotel at the northeast corner of the public square. Daniel Atterberry 
was from Kentucky, made a claim here, but has been long dead. Andrew 
.Merrill and his sons. Jacob and Spencer Merrill, were also from Kentucky. 
The old gentleman died in 183"), and it is said that he pointed out one day. a 
short time previous to his death, the spot where he desired to be buried. When 
he died, his son Jacob carried out his wish and had him laid away in the des- 
ignated spot. In 1859, his wife was laid by the side of him. Jacob and 
Spencer are both living but a short distance west of Petersburg, the former in 
his seventy-fourth year. Thomas Edwards was among the very early settlers. 
but is described as a rather hard character, and of little benefit to any commu- 
nity. He remained here but a short time, pulled up stakes and moved on to 
other frontier settlements. Thomas F. Dowell came about 1825-26, and is still 
living in Sandridge Precinct, at an advanced age. Jesse Gum was among the 
early settlers of Clary's Grove, as noticed in the history of Tallula Precinct. 
He was a native of Kentucky. Charles Gum. living near Petersburg, is his 
son. John B. Gum, who now lives at Kilbourne, Mason County, and who is 
one of the largest landholders in Mason or Menard County, is also a son of 
Jesse Gum. 

In addition to the names already given, the following recruits were added 
to the settlement prior to the "deep snow:" George Curry, Henry Bell and 
sons, John Jones, Zachariah Clary, Bartley Milton, John and Anno Hitter, 
Pollard Simmons, William Edwards and sons, John Jennison, Bartlett Con- 
yers, Henry and David Williams, Conrad Strader, Josiah Crawfl*d and others. 
George Curry came from Green County. Ky.. and laid a claim in this pre- 
cinct, near where his son. Rev. H. P. Curry, now lives. He died in 1876. 
Rev. H. P. Curry has been actively engaged in the ministry for thirty-nine 
years, and at present administers spiritual consolation to four churches, in 
addition to superintending his farm. Henry Bell and sons were from Ken- 
tucky. The old gentlemen is long since dead, but some of the sons still live 
in the county. John Jones was another Kentuckian. ami settled in Clary' 8 
Grove in 1824. He moved into this precinct some years later, and finally 
located in Little Grove, where he died. Zachariah Clary, a brother to John 
Clary, the first settler, came from Tennessee and settled in Clarv's Grove in 



BI8T0M OF MIA \K1' COUNTY. 

the latter pari i : L819, and, in L825, moved into this precinct Be -till I 
upon the place where be then Bettled, a mile or two north of Petersburg. He 

gjhty-two years old, and he and his g 1 wife, who is also living, have been 

plodding on over the old Btumpy road of life together for fifty-nine years, hav- 

been married, as he informed us, in L820. John and A.nno Hitter n 
from Kentucky. A.nno died here; John moved to Mason County, where 
died. Pallard Simmons removed also to Mason County and died there. David 
and Henry Williams, and Bartlett Conyers Bettled in the same neighbor! 
luit where tl • from, we could aol ascertain. Conrad Strader is dead, 

but I -till living in the precinct. Josiah Crawford moved to Mason 

County, where he died. This completes the settlement up to the time of the 
deep snow, 30 far as we have been able to obtain names and bets. As we have 
have had frequent occasion to mention, in our capacity as historian, in North- 
ern and Central Illinois, the "deep snow" is an epoch from which the chro- 

gy of the pioneer dates " fore and aft." All important events arc repk- 
oned from the deep Bnow. It is a waymark that will not be forgotten by tl 
who witnessed it. until their Life journey closes at the brink of the tomb. 
the old grandfather or grandmother about the deep snow, and note the Bparkle of 
their eves, as memory roll- back over a period of fifty years, when 

•■ All the land writh §now 

to a depth of tour feet, and bo remained tor a period of three months or more. 
Thev can tell you of the hard times, ami the dreary aspect of that long, long 
winter, better than we. for it was before our day. 

The population was increased during the live or six years immediately fol- 
lowing the deep snow, by the following emigrants, a majority of whom • 
from Old Kentucky, that fatuous land of blue grass, pretty women and _ 

whisky: The Davidsons, the Taylors. William Butler, Dr. John Lee, William 
I'. Cox, W. »i. Greene, Thomas Epperson, William J. Hoey, the Benn 
U. G. Brooks, S. and »'. Levering, A. I» Wright, Jacob 11. Laning, .lain 
Carter, John McNamar, A. Humphrey, John McNeal, Samuel Hill. Nathan 
Dresser, Charles 11. Waldo. Zachariah Nance and Ifiles, 

Chester Moon, Thomas I.. Harris, W. C. Dawson, Martin Morris, Jordan 
Morris, J. W. Warnsing, William Haggerty, Dr. John Allen. George War- 
burton, Peter Lukins, the Rutledges, Jonathan Colby, Robert Carter, J. A. 
Brahm, dames Goldsby, Nicholas Tice, Abraham Bale, Jacob Bale, Hardin 
and others. The Davidson A., [sham <>. and Jackson, were 

from Kentucky and were anion/ the early merchants of Petersburg. I 
first Bettled in the southern part of - B nd County, we bel 

where they resided for a niimher of years before coming to tin- county. 
A. Davidson lives »ent in Greenview, [sham G. in Fulton County, and 

Jackson has been lost sight <>f. They were related to the Taylor family, and 

came to the county r, or aboul the time the Taylor.- came. The 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 281 

Tavlors were from Kentucky. John Taylor was the first merchant of Petersburg 

and one of the original proprietors <>f the town, as noticed in that con- 
nection. He died in Beardstown, but was Living in Springfield at the time. 

Richard Taylor was a brother, but never a permanent resident here. Ja - 

Taylor was a son of John Taylor, but did uot live here. Made frequent busi- 
ness visits to the place, however, lie died in Springfield, where he made his 
home, .lame- Taylor, a cousin to the latter, lived here some years and died 
here. William Butler was a transient guesl and did not remain long in the 
community ; was merely here attending to Taylor's business for a short time. 
Dr. John Lee was from the Old Dominion and a member of the original Lee 
family of Virginia. He at present lives at Athens, this county. William P. 
Cox came from Kentucky and is yet living in the county. William Gr. Greene 
came from Tennessee, but his father, William Greene, was a native Kentuckian. 
lie came to Illinois in 1821-22 and settled near where the village of Tallula 
now stands, where he died. William G. Greene was a mere boy when his 
father came to Illinois. He is and has been for years a prominent man of the 
county and is still living. He is mentioned elsewhere as an intimate friend of 
Mr. Lincoln when he was a resident of Menard County. Thomas Epperson 
was from Kentucky and died here many years ago. William J. Eoey was a 
son of the "auld sod" and was one of the early merchants of Petersburg. 
He had a brother, James Hoey, who was also an early settler, but came several 
years after William. They both died here. 

The Bennetts came from Old Virginia, the home of statesmen and the 
birthplace of Presidents. There were three brothers — John. William ami 
Richard E. Bennett. John came to Illinois in 1835. and to this section in 
1836, and became one of the early merchants and prominent business men of 
Petersburg, as noticed in that chapter. He was a member of the Legislature 
during the session of 1840-41, and was one of the first directors of the old 
Tonica & Petersburg Railroad, now the Jacksonville division of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, besides holding many other positions of importance. Hi 
still living in the city of Petersburg, retired from active business life, and to 
his excellent memory we are indebted for much of the early history of Peters- 
burg and surrounding vicinity. William Bennett came to the settlement one 
year after John, and is long since dead. Dr. Richard E. Bennett came about 
the same time, and is elsewhere mentioned as the first practicing physician in 
this portion of the county. Dr. Bennett is dead, but has a son, Theodore < !. 
Bennett, living in Petersburg, who is the present Circuit Clerk. C. G. Br 
was from Kentucky and came in 1830, and died here years ago. Septimus 
and C. Levering, half-brothers, came from Baltimore; Septimus came in the 
spring of L837, and his brother some time later. The former is dead, but the 
latter is living here still. James S. Carter was from Virginia and came in 
1838. lie is at present living in the village of Oakford. Jacob II. Lanitii: 
came from New Jersey in 1838. He is still living in the city of Petersburg, 



BISTORT OF MEN IRD COUNTY. 

and liis song are among the prominent business men of the place. A. D. 

_'ht is mentioned in another pis prominently with the mill 

of 1 John McNamar was a •• Down I but 

from what 3 known. 1 !>• was one of the early merchants in Salem, and 

moved to arg after the decline oi Salem, where he again embarked in 

mercantile business. He died here aboul a ;■ Dr. John Allen was 

hi early merchant at Salem, as well as an early physician. He moved to 

■ mi the Bame time as McNamar. They were in busii rether 

- ih-iu. which was continued for a time after locating in Petersburg. He 

died here some A. Humphrey was also a "Down Easter," and 

■ here alx John McNeal was a nan 

tsylvania, but went to Virginia, where he married, and then removed to 

Illin ing in this precinct, where he finally died. Samuel Hill came 

from olii<» ami first located in Salem very early. He moved to Pel reburg in 

i, and dii il years ago. Charles B. Waldo, Nathan Dresser and 

Thomas L. Harris were natives of Connecticut, whence they emigrated to 

_;nia. then to Illinois and settled in Petersburg. Waldo is mentioned on 

_ as the first pedagogue in the neighborhood. Both he and I>i. 

moved to the Bouthern part of the State, in the vicinity of Cairo, where they 

Harris, though originally From the Bame place, came Beveral year- later. 

He was a man of considerable prominence and political aspirations, and served 

mi- m l with some distinction. He died here, but his 

»w and other members of the family are still living. Zachariab Nance and 

il Bona came from Kentucky to Illinois in l s: '. ; ''. locating in what is now 

Creek Precinct. Here the old gentleman died and was buried in the 

Farmers' Point Graveyard. Among his Bons were Thomas and Washington, 

the latter now living in Petersburg; quite an old man. Albert <i. Nan© 

■f Thomas, Berved two years in the Legislature, and was a candidate for 
the § ate, !>ut died a few days before the election. His father is also 

dead. Mrs. Hill, widow of Samuel Hill, how living in Petersburg, is a daughter 
of Zachariah Nance. '■ _ I Miles was from Kentucky, and settled here 
in L839, hut had been living in the southern part of th< - 
before coming to Menard County. He is -till living, hut very old and feeble, 
iter Moon was a Yankee, bul what State he came from we could nol ascer- 
tain. He died Borne _ r o in Morris. W. C. Dai me from Ken- 
tucky ahout 1840, and ree present in Springfield. Martin and Jordan 
Morris, though of the same name, and both blacksmiths, were in do w ise related 

.Ionian \sa- of those transient characters who are al\\?1y> on the move, and 

did not remain long in this community, but what actually became of him is 
not now remembered. Martin Morris, after a residence hei le year-. 

removed to Missouri, where he -till lived at last Recounts. William Haggerty 
was also a blacksmith, came with Jordan Morris, worked with him and left 
with him. J. W. Warnsing was a German, and came hen' very early. Has 



DISTORT OF MENARD COUNTY. 289 

been dead several years. Samuel Berry came from Tennessee al an early day 
and died long ago. 

George Warburton, who is noticed in the history of the city of Petersburg 

a< the owner of a part of the land on which the town was laid out, came from 
the East. He was drowned in the Sangamon River, when the water, it is said, 

was not over six inches deep. It is supposed that he was intoxicated, us he 
was in the habit of drinking to excess, and in that state fell into the water, 
when no help was at hand, and being unable to help himself, was drowned. 
Peter Lukins. the joint proprietor with Warburton of the land on which the 
town stands, and for whom Petersburg was named, as noted hereafter, came 
from Kentucky, lie and Warburton, as more particularly detailed in the his- 
tory of Petersburg, owned 160 acres of land, upon which the original town was 
laid out. This they afterward sold to Taylor & King, who became the propri- 
etors of tlie town. Lukins is noticed as the first hotel-keeper and the first shoe- 
maker. He was found dead in his bed one morning, supposed to have been the 
result of excessive drink, as he too. was in the habit of taking overdoses of the 
fiery demon. The Rutledges are originally from Kentucky, and are elsewhere 
noticed in this work. The Rutledges Avent from Kentucky to South Carolina, 
and from there came to Illinois, locating first in White County, where they 
remained some years, and then came to the present county of Menard, in 1825. 
William and .lames Rutledge. and John Cameron, came to the neighborhood 
together, and settled in the vicinity of Old Salem. Cameron and William Rut- 
ledge were brothers-in-law. They lived in the county until their death, and 
still have many descendants residing here. Jonathan Colby came from New 
Hampshire in 1834, and located where he now lives. His parents lived together 
as man and wife for sixty years, and at their death their combined ages were 
172 years. Robert Carter came from Kentucky in 1830, and settled where his 
daughter, Mrs. Jemima Gum. now lives. He died in 1866. J. A. Brahm 
came to this county with his father's family, in 1830, and settled just north of 
Petersburg. They were from Germany. The elder Brahm died here in 1852. 
His son, J. A. Brahm. is a prominent banker and business man of the city of 
Petersburg. James Goldsby came from Kentucky, and settled here in 1 8 
Be was a soldier of the war of 1812. and the first Sheriff of Menard County. 
He has a son, Rev. William M. Goldsby, in this precinct, who has been a min- 
ister of the Baptist Church for a quarter of a century. Nicholas Tice was a 
native of Virginia, and came to Illinois in 1831, locating at the village of 
Athens. In 1832, he purchased a farm at what is now Tice's Station, where he 
died in 1856. John Tice. a son, is the present County Judge of Menard 
County. He is one of the faithful county and precinct officers, as evidenced 
in the fact that he lias been in the official harness for thirty year- in - 
on. 

The Bales were from Kentucky. Jacob Bale located near the present city 
of Petersburg, in 1830. He was a minister, and the father of Hardin Bale, 



290 • BISTORT <>P MENARD OOUNTY. 

proprietor of the Petersburg Woolen Mills, which an irticularly alluded 

to on another a Abraham Bale came to the precinct in I s ".'.'. and located 

ilfin. In 1M'>, h<- purchased :i farm, on which he resided until 1~ 
when he bought Che mill-site :it Salem, and commenced repairing the <>hl mill, 
but he 'lied in I s -"--;. II;- the repairs he had begun, and. in 

1873, T. \ . Bale became Bole proprietor of the once famous Salem Mills, and 
has ever - i them. The Bales seem to have had a kind ofgeniuc 

talent for mills, as we learn tl Jacob Hale bought a -mall grist-mill, 

wherein bis son Hardin t > «<»k bis firsl Lessons in the business, and thus qualified 
himself for the successful Inline-- man that he is to-day. Aaron B. White 
among the \ »f Clary's Grove, and came from Kentucky. Ik 

i. William M. White, living in Petersburg, who remembers the hardships 
of those early day.-. Judge Pillsbury is a sun of Alpha Pillsbury, and 
native of New Hampshire. His father died there in 1831, and. in 1836, the 
family came West, locating in the town of Petersburg. His mother died here 
in 1868. He has served several terms as County Jud;_ r <\ and wa- for several 
years Principal of the city schools. Mrs. Elizabeth Potter, the widow of Elijah, 
ranks among the pioneers. Her husband was a native of White County, 111., 
and came to Menard County in 1819—20. He died in March, 1876, on the 
place where his widow now lives. Robert McNeelywas an early settler in the 
neighboring county of Morgan. His Bon, Hon. Thomas W. McNeely, is one 
of the prominent men of Petersburg. 

This comprises the early settlement of Petersburg Precinct up to a period 
when emigrants were Booking to th< plains of the West in Buch nun 

render it a Herculean ta-k to keep trace of them. It i- a work of no 
little trouble, owing to the large and irregular divisions of the county, to avoid 

confusion and error in the location of early Bottlers, and mention them, in all 

a, in the precinct or particular locality where they truly belong. We have 
exercised the utmost care in this n yet doubt not that many such mis- 

takes have been made. And doubtless, too, the names of many pioneers of 
the county and precinct have been overlooked, which d< norable men- 

tion in this \sork. But when we reflect that the allotted period of almosl 

rations 1 1 since white men came t" tin- region, and that many of 

rly COmers are gone and the memory of other- wakened by B 

not stran. irly facts are sometimes difficult to obtain, and when gath- 

ered from different sources, as they necessarily must be, are often >o at varia 

i baffle the historian's skill to place them before his readers in a satisfactory 
manner. Had the compilation of this work been postponed a few years loi 
the last of the old settlers, able to contribute facta and incidents of the far 
past, would have been beyond the historian's reach, and the opportunity of 
getting an authentic history lost forever. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 291 

THE PTONEEB DAYS. 

If the ghosts of some of the pioneers, whose settlement we have been not- 
ing in these pages, could rise, like that of Banquo's, imbued with power to 
observe the changes wrought since they first saw the country, their astonish- 
ment would doubtless exceed that of Rip Van Winkle's, when he awoke from 
his long nap in the Catskill Mountains and found himself no longer the loyal 
subject of George III., but the free and sovereign citizen of "the greatest 
country in the world." When white men came here, nearly sixty years ago, 
the forests were unbroken ; the prairies were yet in their pristine beauty, fresh 
from the Creator's hand, and were the abode of the wolf and the wild deer. 
The canoe of the Indian was paddled up and down the " Sangamo," and its 
forests echoed the crack of his rifle, while the paths worn by his moccasined feet 
were the guiding trail of the emigrant. The flight of years has clothed those 
••verdant wastes" with flocks and herds, with waving harvest-fields and vast 
forests of rustling corn, in whose depths armies might ambush. The Indian 
trail has become obliterated by the railway track, and the ox team and -l prairie 
schooner" are displaced by the locomotive and the rushing train. The land- 
scape, where first the savage set his tepee and where his pale-face successor 
built his ''pole cabin " or his " three-faced" camp, is now dotted with hun- 
dreds of happy homes, churches and schoolhouses ; the silence broken by the 
Indian war-wdioop and death song, now echoes to 

"The laugh of children, the soft voice 
Of maidens, and the sweet and solemn hymn 
Of Sabbat li worshipers." 

And these are not all. Many other changes and improvements have taken 
place, which these rude and honest pioneers never dreamed of in their most extrav- 
agant flights of fancy. They were content then with the old " Cary " or "bar- 
share " plow, drawn by the patient ox, and were thankful if they had corn-meal 
and wild-deer meat to satisfy the cravings of hunger. Their homes were cabins. 
built of poles or split logs, with puncheon or dirt floors, clapboard roofs and stick 
chimneys, and their beds were usually wild prairie grass, which honest toil and 
contentment rendered "soft as downy pillows are." Nor were the women idle 
spectators. They were in truth helpmates, and metaphorically they put their 
hands to the plow and, when occasion demanded, did not hesitate to do so liter- 
ally. They spun and wove cloth, manufactured their own and their families' 
clothing. No doubt they were as happy then in their humble attire as their 
fair sisters of the present day are, when robed in silks and satins and sparkling 
with jewelry. But the pole cabin, the Cary and barshare plow, and the homely 
raiment are things of the past and are buried beneath the years thai have 
come and gone in rapid succession, while the panorama has been unfolding 
view. Soon these " relics of barbarism " will be wholly forgotten. Even 
uow, they are fast becoming fireside legends. 



292 HISTORY OF MENARD OOUNTY. 

Le ,- usually the case in townships or precincts wherein are located county 
. the more important event- center at the capital, leaving little of hist 
interest in the township at large. Thus it is in Petersburg. Beyond the 
mere fact of settling the country, the history of the precinct is mostly con- 
fined to < M'l Salem and t<» the county's metropolis. The first Btores, mills, • 
offices, churches, Bchools, Bhops, stablished at these places. With r 

brief notice on one or two points of interest, we "ill pass to the history of the 
city. 

The church history, as we have said, is given more particularly in the 
town of Petersburg. It is proper, however, thai a untie. • of Baker's Prairie 
Church shoald be given in the precinct history. It is one of the <>hl church 

aizations <>f the Baptist denomination in the county, and was organized 

about L835, b Fohn Antle. The first church was a l<>i_ r building, and 

I as both church and Bchoolhonse for a time, and Btood two or three miles 

I sburg, and about the Bame distance north of Tice's Station. In 

1849—50, :i frame chorch superseded the old l"L r Btracture, and is still in as< 

a temple of worship for thi< pioneer Bociety. Rev. II. P. Curry, who has 

been frequently mentioned in this work as a Baptist preacher, at present 

administers to the spiritual wants of the ''lunch. Another of the early 

churches of the precinct is the Methodist Church at Tice's Station, which will 

iced in connection with that place. 

Tin- railroads passing through this precinct are the Jacksonville Division of 

the Chicago & Alton ami the Springfield & North-Western, which crOSS at the 

town of Petersburg. But, a- tiny have been fully noticed already, we will not 
repeat their history here. Suffice it. they L r ive tin- precinct ami the town the 
•it of transportation in any direction and to any market, ami. indeed, 
bring the hot markets in the country to the people's very doors. 

rsburg Precinct is Democratic in politics, as is the entire county. 
During the war of the rebellion, it furnished many Boldiers to the Union 
armies, ami performed a good pari to maintain the supremacy of the Govern- 
ment. But for a more complete record of these Btirring events, the read< 
referred to the war history of the county, which is given in a preceding chapter. 

the lirst Bchools taught in the precinct were in tl Ql town of 

he school history is mostly given in that connection. Th< 
of the surrounding country are in a flourishing Btate, corresponding with tl 
in other portions of the county. Comfortable houses are conveniently situs 
and efficient employed during the usual Bchool term, so that a good 

COmmon-8chool education is within tin- reach of all. and there remain- no 

se for children growing up in ignorance. 

I III 'i | v OP I'l TER8BU 

rsburg, the metropolis of Menard County, is beautifully situated on the 
hank of the Sangamon River, at the crossing of the Chicago >v Alton 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 293 

the Springfield & North- Western Railroads, twenty-one miles from Springfield 
and twenty-seven miles from Jacksonville. It extends back from the river on 
to the blull's, where are located many elegant residences. The streets are broad 
and lined with rows of trees, thus presenting an inviting appearance in the sul- 
try months of summer. The public square is a well-shaded spot, nicely set in 
grass, and containing many fine trees, in the midst of which stands that 
immense pile of architectural beauty and magnificence — the Court House. The 
principal portion of the business, as in a majority of Illinois towns, is done 
around the square, and the business houses, as a class, are superior to those 
usually found in towns of this size. 

Peter Lukins and George Warburton were the original owners of 160 acres 
of land, on which Petersburg now stands. This tract of land was embraced in 
Section 14 of Town 18, and Range 7 west. They laid out the town about 
1832-33, surveying and dividing the entire 160 acres into blocks of town lots, 
which performance being ended, they quietly sat down and waited for the place 
to giow. It was a rather extensive foundation for a town forty or fifty years 
ago, and it was probably these ponderous proportions that retarded its growth 
for the first few years of its existence, as we learn that city real estate com- 
manded but limited figures in either the home or in foreign markets. Finally, 
becoming discouraged or disgusted because a town did not rise as if by magic, 
they sold out to Hezekiah King and John Taylor. These gentlemen employed 
Abraham Lincoln, then Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon County, to resurvey 
and plat it, which plat was admitted to record February 22, 1836. The town 
was named for Peter Lukins, one of the original proprietors of the land. The 
accident, or incident, which led to the name of Petersburg, instead of that of 
Georgetown, occurred in this Avise : Peter Lukins and George Warburton, 
who laid out the original town as already stated, were each desirous of being 
immortalized in history by bestowing his name upon the incipient city, and 
became involved in a dispute as to whether it should be called Georgetown | for 
Warburton) or Petersburg (for Lukins). They finally agreeed to play a game 
of " old sledge," or '* seven-up." then the national game (instead of base hall 1 , 
and allow the winner to name the place. Lukins won the game, and, rising from 
the costly Turkish chair (an empty nail-keg) on which he sat, solemnly pro- 
nounced the name Petersburg. 

From the most authentic information to be obtained at the present day. it is 
probable that the first shanty erected on the present site of Petersburg was by 
Elijah Estep. mention of which has been made in the precinct history. As the 
settlements there noticed include both town and precinct, we will not recapitu- 
late the settlement of the town under this head. There was also a building, 
which people, out of respect, called a mill, erected by Estep, which is supposed 
to have been put up about 1826. It was what was called, in those early times, 
a "gear horse-mill,*' and. we believe, used for sawing only. If any of our 
readers are curious to know what a " gear horse-mill '* is. they will have to 



BISTORT OP MEN LBD OOUNTY. 

if the old settlers, for we cannot enlighten them. The first 91 
hn Taylor, in L883. N kylor commenced busi- 

1 merchant hare, the Davidson Brothers opened a store, which is Baidto 
have been the second in the place. Taylor sold his si etc John Bennett, who 

ill living, and is a highly. respected citizen of the town. He iras for a 
number - one of the leading merchants and business men. Jordan 

Morris was the first blacksmith, and P Lukins looked after the %ole% of the 
earlj shoemaker. A post office was established 

aboul \. with James Taylor as Postmaster. It was a very small affair, 

and could ha. isily carried iii a man's hat. hut has grown to considerable 

proportions, and its emoluments are m ly sought after at the pr< 

day than urly fifty years ago. The present Postmasb 

A. N. Curry, and, instead of a weekly mail, four mails are now received daily. 
The first practicing lawyer was David M. Rutledge, a brother to Miss Anna 
Rutledge, once tl. of Mr. Lincoln, and whose premature death alone 

prevented her becoming his wife. Dr. I!. E. Bennett was the first Located physi- 
cian. The first tavern wis kept by Peter Lukins and Btood in the south end 
of the town. It was a small ami unpretentious affair, but accommodated, in its 

. the limited demand made upon an establishment of that kind. A; pres- 

there are four hotels in the city, and Beveral restaurants. The two 
principal hotels are the Menard Souse on the Boutheasl corner, and the brick 
hotel on the northeast corner of the public square. 

From this small busini :iim_ r back nearly a half-century ago, 1' 

iwn to be a stirring and energetic little city, of nearly three 
thousand inhabitants, commanding as large trade as any town of its - 
perhaps, in the Stair. The little store <>t' Taylor has given place to twelve or 
fifteen large establishments, handling dry goods, groceries and clothing. Mor- 
ris, the * - village blacksmith," is now represented by six Bhops, tin- smallest of 
which is far more pretentious than hi<. and some half a dozen discipli 
Crispin supply the place of Lukins. The f 'Squire Rutledge in 

the legal profession comprise a dozen or more attorney.- who rank at the head 
of the bar, and six physicians represent I>r. Dennett, the first of his kind in 
the town. All other branches of busini correspondingly increased, and 

hardware agricultural, harness, drugs, furniture, meat and millinery 

s, ami lumber-yards flourish, and are well patronized and maintained. 

There are also two hank< included in the husine-s of the town. 

The next mill after the -mall affair already mentioned, w 
mill, built by one Dorrell. It was operated lor a number -. when a man 

named Sanford erected a very fine mill. of $18,000, which he sold, in 

. to A. I>. Wright. After operating it for Beveral years, his sons, J. I». 
ami E. 1>. Wright, took charge of it. In a few years, the Inter withdrew from 
the firm and the former failed, necessitating the sale of the property. The mil! 
was purchased, in l v 7^. by D. Fischer and E. L. Gault, who are u<>\\ running 




% 



4 Vf? g.fr**^ 

TALL U LA 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNT V. 297 

it, with good success. They make a fine article of Hour, as evidenced in the 
fact that it took first premium at the State Fair, last year, at Freeport. 

The Eagle Mills were built in 1867 by Nance, Brother k Co., at a cost of 
$24,01)0, and were operated by them for about fifteen months, when they sold 
out to Philip Rainey. He operated them for ;i time, in connection with Thomas 
Barfield, but, at the present time, ia al<nie in the ownership of these excellent, 
mills. He has recently added what is termed a " New Process," a process, by 
the way, of which we are ignorant, but. as some of our readers may be better 
informed upon the subject, we give them the benefit of the information. "The 
Process," whatever it is, the customers say, greatly improves the quality 
of the flour. While on the subject of mills, we should not omit to men- 
tion the fact that in early times the Sangamon River was supposed to be sus- 
ceptible of navigation, as noticed in the general history, and that about the 
year 1836, a little steamboat, in paddling up (or down) the crooked stream, 
became stranded on the beach in this vicinity. The machinery was purchased 
by John Taylor, who placed it in a saw-mill, and afterward added a grist-mill 
t.i the establishment. The machinery proved more valuable here than in the 
navigation of the Sangamon River, and performed good service until the mill 
was destroyed by fire. 

The grain trade of Petersburg, though quite an extensive branch of busi- 
ness, scarcely equals many other towns of this size. The principal dealers 
here at present are Phil Rainey, of the Eagle Mills. Fischer, Gault & Conover, 
of the Charter Oak Mills, and Laning & Co., all of whom have done a large 
business the present year. Fischer, Gault & Conover have an excellent grain 
elevator in connection with their mills, which is the only grain elevator in the 
town. This struck us as a little strange — that in a section of country as rich 
as this, where corn and wheat are the main staples, to find no extensive grain 
elevators looming up along the railroad tracks. But much of the wheat is 
shipped as soon as threshed, the corn cribbed by the railroads, where it is 
shelled and loaded into the cars ; hence, elevators are but little needed. 

PETERSBURG AS THE COUNTY SEAT. 

As noted in the general history, the act for the formation of Menard County 
was passed at the Legislative session of 1838-39. The new county included 
the larger part of the present county of Mason, which was not set off until two 
years later. One of the first questions of agitation was the location of the sear 
of justice. New Market, Huron, Miller's Ferry and Petersburg were the con- 
testants, and, after a short, but sanguinary struggle, it w r as decided in favor of 
Petersburg, and, in the spring of 1839, it became the capital of the count v. 
Its competitors in the struggle for official greatness were long since submerged 
•• neath the waves of dark oblivion," and few, except the grizzled pioneers who 
are left, know that such places ever existed in their county. From this time 
forward, Petersburg rapidly increased in population, and grew in importance. 



BISTORt OP MENARD OOUNTT. 

r the formation of Mason, it was found that, by a favorable stroke of for- 
tune, the county Beal of Menard had been located very near it- geographical 
center. For four yean after the organisation "f the county, court was held in 
the store of Grinsley .\ Levering. In 1848, the court house 

(6,640. The old and time-worn building, with the moss of more than a 
third <>{';i century growing upon it- walls, still adorns the town, and though an 
to many, is, perhaps, more preferable to the majority than ; 

imbered with an exorbitant debt, contracted to Bupply a gorgeou 
It is the old Kentucky tobacco-barn Btyle of architecture, and on a par with 
the court houses built in this section of the State forty or fifty years 
About the time the court house was built, a jail was erected, at a $300. 

This Ben iitory of the lawless until 1870, when a new jail was pur 

up, "t' brick and Btone, \\ Inch cost abbul (22,000, and is a far more gorgeous build- 
ing than the court house itself. 

The coal interest of Petersburg has become an extensive business, and the 
mines now in successful operation in the immediate vicinity afford employment 
to a large number of men. The South Valley Shaft and the North dun 
Shaft arc among the most productive being worked. As the coal inter* 
more particularly mentioned in the county history, we will not dwell on it 
here. Suffice it to say. with the double advantage of coal in endless quantities and 
the water-power afforded by the Sangamon River, there is no reason why 

rsburg Bhould nol become a manufacturing town. The facilities are almost 
unbounded, and all that i> necessary is t<> encourage enterprising l>usincs> men 

and capitalist- to locate in the place. 

The Petersburg Woolen Mill- are but a -ample of the facilities presented by 
this locality for manufacturing enterprises. As an institution of considerable 

importance, it is appropriate that a description of* their origin and prog 

should appear in the history of Petersburg. The present proprietor, Hardin 

Hale, a -..!i of Jacob Bale, <>i f the pioneers of Menard County, buill a 

carding machine at Salem about l : After Salem became extinct, he 

moved the establishment to Petersburg. Sere he started up his wool-car 
machine by horse or mule power. A- trade and business increased, he added 
machinery and improvements until 1852, when he purchased an engine, 
enlarged his building ami introduced a Bpinning-jack of 168 spindles and 
four looms. With these improvements, he commenced the manufacture of 
WOOl( . and added a storeroom to accommodate his ii: 

In l^'".~.. the entire building, including others adjacent, were destroyed by tire. 

involving a loss of nearly (150, ». Nothing daunted. he made immediate 

preparation- to resume business, and being the owner of a large brick pork 
hou-e. le placed all necessary machinery in it. consisting of a jack of 

ill 11 spindles, card-, fulling-mill and five looms. After a Bhorl of pros- 

perity, he was again, on the 22d of February, 1869, burned out. this time at 

a 1..-- of aboil ~ to work to rebuild, and in a short time 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 299 

after the conflagration, had still another fine woolen-mill in operation. About 
the first of May, 1874, he leased it to C. P. Horner, who operated it for a 
time, when Mr. Bale again assumed control, and is now operating it successfully. 
In company with his son, Mr. Bale commenced the manufacture of drain 
tile in 1878, and at this time is conducting an extensive business in this branch 
of industry. They manufacture drain tile of all the sizes in common use in 
this section of the country. When they first opened their factory, they used 
clay taken out of the hill near by, but now work the clay from the coal shaft, 
which makes, it is said, a better tile. Such enterprises as those given above, 
merely go to show the advantages possessed by this locality, and what a busy 
manufacturing little city this may become if it has a chance to develop its 
resources. Mr. Miller, in the general history of this work, speaks very intelli- 
gently upon this subject, and to his timely hints the attention of business men 
and friends of the town is directed. 

SCHOOLS — I' A ST AND PRESENT. 

After a thorough investigation, it is pretty definitely ascertained that the 
first school in Petersburg was taught by Charles B. Waldo, a brother-^i-law of 
John Bennett, Esq., mentioned as one of the early settlers and business men 
of the town. This school was taught in 1837, in a small log cabin which 
stood in the extreme south end of the village. In a year or two, a small frame 
building was erected, for school purposes, on the brow of the hill west of the 
village, and near the "Old Dr. Allen place." It is described as being "out 
in the brush " then, with a "little path leading to it." In this primitive 
temple of learning, the youth of the period laid the foundation of their educa- 
tion and — learned to shoot paper wads, until 1855, when the town purchased 
the building from the Masonic fraternity, which they had used as a hall, and 
turned it into a common or free school building,* flinging its doors open to all, 
rich and poor, alike. 

About the year 1845 or 1846, the Masons started a school in the lower 
story of their hall, for the benefit of their children, and engaged W. A. Dickey 
as teacher. The school was not confined exclusively to their own children, but 
others were admitted upon a certain subscription. This was continued until 
bought by the town, as above noticed. After its purchase, an addition was 
built to it, making a large and comfortable building, which was used for educa- 
tional purposes until 1874, when the present elegant building was commenced 
and pushed forward with such energy as to be ready for occupancy by Febru- 
ary. 1875. It cost $10,000, and has six large, well-ventilated rooms, three 
on each floor, besides several private rooms, for library purposes, offices, etc. 
The names of all the teachers employed previous to the inauguration of the 
.common school cannot be -riven. 



in- ;i little strange, bul N vouched for as true, that, although the common-school lav was passed in 1847, 
the fust free Bchool in this place was not tmight until 1855. Dp to this date, the old Bubscrlpti re the 

only kind in Peters! 



300 HI8TORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

The fir-t free school was taught by Judge J. H. Pillsbury, in 1855 and 
] 356. The following is ;i list of Principals, in regular rotation, from Pillsbury 
down to the present time: Judge J. H. Pillsbu ind 1856; John Dor- 

L856and 1857 ; Edward Laning, 1857 and 1^58; J. II. Best, L85S 
I860; A Bixby, I860 and i v, '<l ; W. Taylor, 1 V *'>1 and I s '''-': Edward Lan- 
M. P. Hartley, 1863 and 1864; W. Taylor, 1864 and 
■ I. McDougall, l s, ;~> and 1866; J. A. Pinkerton and J. II. Pills- 
bury, L866 and 1~' ; 7: W. II. Berry, 1867 to L869; C. II. Crandall, I 

an d L870; Mayfield, 1870 and 1871 ; M. C. Connelly, 1871 

C I.. Hatfield, 1876 and L877; J.A.Johnson, 1877 and L878; M.C.Con- 
nelly, 1878 and 1879. 

It will be perceived from the above that Prof. Connelly hat 1 the 

tcr over the Bchools of Petersburg six years, and has, we learn, been 
retained for the year just beginning. Hi- assistants for the opening year are 
as follows: ( i. W. Shepherd, J. W. Whipp, Miss Grace Brown, Miss Clara 
McDougall, Miss Dora Lor en tz en, Miss Miry Fisher and Miss Anna Morris. 
The Bchool is graded, and includes in its course of instruction all the branches 
usually taught in the common schools of the country. Prof. Connelly's Long 
administration as Principal shows him to be what he really is. "the right man 
in the right place." 

In 1870, the public schools of the town having Bomewhal retrograded, or, 
as our informant expressed it. ••run down." John A. Brahm, Isaac White. II. 
W.Montgomery, David Frackelton, J. M. Bobbins and B.F.Montgomery 
formed a joint-stock company, and erected a building on the hill, west of the 
public Bquare, for the purpose of having a "g 1 school." This building 

J 50, and was styled the "Petersburg Seminary." As will from 

the above facts, il was a private and individual enterprise, and the ral 
admission to it vi | per Bcholar, for a term of nine months. The first 
of the new seminary, W. S. Bennett and Miss M. A. Campbell were 
employed as teachers ; the second year, l>. M. Bone and Miss M. P. Elainey. 
\\ may remark here, parenthetically, as a matter of into our lady 

Traders, that both Principals married their assistants. Whether this fact led 

to the position of assistant being much sought after by young lady teachers 
not, we are ii.>t informed. 

School was conducted two years longer, when the public Bchools, under the 
efficient management of Prof. Connelly, had attained u< Buch a degree of pro- 
fioiency that the stockholders or Directors of the seminary wisely decided to 
it. The building, accordingly, was sold, and i- now used as a residence. 
Mrs. Rachel Frackelton boughl the ground, and I 
one of the finest residences in the city of Petersburg. 

• lit RGB III- rORl . 

mporaneous almost with the erection of the pi ibin, came the 

Methodist circuit-rider. Usually these itinerant preachers were the first in the 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. • 301 

field, and, traveling from settlement to settlement, they held meetings in the 
settlers' cabins, or, in pleasant weather, in the groves — "God's first temples." 
As soon, therefore, as half-a-dozen families had settled upon the site of the 
present city of Petersburg, the Kev. Mr. Springer, mentioned in connection 
with the Methodist Church of Athens, and who Avas a brother to Mrs. Isham 
Davidson, an early settler of the place, came on his circuit and commenced a 
meeting in Mr. Davidson's house in 183"). He continued to preach at David- 
son's residence until the erection of the little log schoolhouse, when it becam< 
a temple of worship as well as of learning. This house was used, and after it 
the frame schoolhouse, until the erection of the Methodist Church in 1846, in 
which edifice they still worship at the present day. The first appointed circuit- 
rider by Conference was Rev. Michael Shunk, in 1837-38, so often referred to 
in the history of both Menard and Mason Counties as a pioneer preacher. 
Among the early members of this venerable church were Isham Davidson and 
wife, George Davidson and wife. Jacob West, Parthenia West, E. B. Spears, 
Ellen Spears, Elizabeth Harrison, John Bagby, Caroline Bagby, M. B. Harri- 
son, Susan Smith, Ellen Young, Christina Alkire, Anna Engle, Frances 
Webb. W. P. Elam and Martha Elam. In 1846, Rev. James Newman, the 
Pastor, deeming the society of sufficient strength to erect a building, set to 
work and succeeded in arousing sufficient interest to erect the present edifice. 
It has been recently remodeled, improved and modernized, until it presents a 
very handsome and attractive appearance. Among the improvements are new 
paper, new pulpit, new r chandeliers, a re-arrangement of the seats, and many 
other little items, adding beauty and comfort. All these changes have been 
wrought under the administration of Rev. W. 0. Peet, now in his second year 
as Pastor. Among the Pastors who have administered to the spiritual welfare 
of this church are the following, who officiated in the order named : Revs. 
James Shaw, H. C. Wallace, T. C. Wolf (two years), S. Goldsmith, W. W. 
Roberts, N. R. Whitehead. S. Goldsmith (two years), W. N. Rutledge, George 
\Y. Reed and the present Pastor, Rev. W. 0. Peet. The Church is in a 
flourishing condition, maintaining an interesting Sunday school and prayer- 
meeting. 

Wo are indebted to Mrs. Hill for much of the history of the Presbyterian 
Church of Petersburg. She is one of its original members, ami had thought- 
fully preserved a paper containing a sermon preached by Rev. Maurice Waller, 
in which is given a brief history of the Church. This paper she kindly placed 
at our disposal, and from it we extract the following item of interest: 

"The first church of Springfield, which may well lie regarded as the 
mother church of this immediate region, was organized by Rev. John M. Ellis, 
in January, 1828. The North Sangamon Church was organized in May. 1832, 
by the Rev. J. S. Bergen. The name of John Allen, one of the first Elders 
of this Church, appears as one of the members received upon examination into 
the North Sangamon Church at the time of its organization." 



BIST0R1 OF MENARD COUNTY. 

following is from the reoorda of the Petersburg Church: In Decem- 
ber, I Dumber of persona met in Petersburg, Menard County, agreeably 

irganized int<» a ehurch l I: Thomas Gait, 
known as tin- Petersburg Presbyterian Church, under the care of tin' Presby- 
terian Assembly of America, The following members were admitted by letter: 
James White, §r., - 1 <> • 1 » x i Allen and Parthenia Hill, from Nun - *amon 
Church; S. I.. Hall - cond Church, Springfield; Richard Dey, from 

ibyterian Church, Laurenceville, N. J. ; Catharine Conover, from Dutch 
rmed Church "I' New Jersey, and upon examination, Eli W. Hoff, Will- 
iam L. Conover, Phoebe Conover and Laurenah Conover, in all. tin meml 

rganization, they worshiped in ] pie's houses ami in the 

In L842, a building was erected, and dedicated May 12, by Rev. 
John W. Little. Rev. Mr. ''alt preached for them occasionally the firsl war. 
and again from 1 842 he appears as occasional preacher until 1846-47. The 
firsl regular Pastor of this Church who resided in town, commenced his la 
in 1847, ami gave three-fourths of Ins time t<> it. He w led, in 1857, 

by Rev. .1. A. Pinkerton, who continued in charge lor thirteen years. In 
L871, Rev. John Mehan, of Pekin, took charge of tin- Church as temporary 
supply, ami remained -even months, when Rev. i I, of Jacksonville, 

took charge, and continued until 1872. In February of this year, Rev. 
Maurice Waller assumed the pastorate, which position he held for >i.\ years. 
During his administration, the elegant church, which i< an ornament to the 
town, was built. It was dedicated in the fall of 1874, bj Rev. William 
llar.-ha. of Jacksonville. At present, tin- church is without a regular Pas 
hut is attended occasionally by the Rev. Mr. Nevins, of Jacksonville. A 
flourishing Sunday school is maintained and largely attended. 

The first services of the Episcopal church held in the county took place in 
the Methodist Church, of Petersburg, May 26, 1867, by Rev. I. S. Townsend, 
of Jacksonville. Mrs. Thomas L. Harris was almost the only representative 

of ti pal faith in the town, ami it was through her influence that Rev. 

Mr. Townsend was induced to come here. In « Ictober of this year, she organ- 
:i Sunday-school class at her own house, of eleven scholar-, which increased 
to fifteen on the next Sunday. She continued to collect them together at her 
housi Sunday for two months, when the school was removed to Mrs. 

Thomas Bennett's, as being more convenient to the majority of attendants. It 
held at Mrs. Bennett's until the following spring, when Mrs. Dr. Antle 
tendered the use of her residence, which was used foi me Bishop 

Whitehouse made a \isit to the place, and continued those who were desirous 
of uniting with the Church, the Lutheran Church being used on the occasion. 

It was also tendered for the u-e of the Sunday school, and regulai 

were held in it once a month by Rev. Mr. Townsend. Rev. James Cornell 
became Rector in 1871, and remained about a year, and w by Rev. 

William Gill, of Jacksonville. Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Harris 



HISTORY <)F MENARD COUNTY. 303 

and a few other zealous workers, means were finally raised for the purpose of 
erecting a church, and in October, 1873, the corner-stone was laid on a lot 
presented by Mrs. Harris (in the northern part of town), by Bishop White- 
house, assisted by Rev. William Grill. It was completed and dedicated August 
30, 1874, by Rev. Mr. Gill, who remained with them until December- of that 
year, when ho removed to Colorado. For some time, services were read by lay 
members. In lSTfi. Rev. W. W. Steele became Rector and continued until 
1878, when he was called to Dixon, and again they were without a regular 
minister. Starting with one member (Mrs. Harris), it has now twenty-eight : 
and the Sunday school, from eleven scholars, has increased to an attendance of 
from seventy-five to one hundred, who are instructed by some half-dozen or 
more competent teachers. 

The German Lutheran Church was organized in Petersburg in the spring 
of 1861. Among the original members were Harmon Scherding, John Scherd- 
ing, Henry Messmann, Henry Fischer, J. P. Bela, J. H. Stagemann, Jerry 
II . Stagemann. Jerry Bonties and others. They bought a house used by 
Diedrich Fischer as a carpenter-shop, which they fitted up as a temple of wor- 
ship, where they met for some time and held services without a preacher. They 
finally secured, as Pastor, Rev. Paul Lorentzen, and purchased a parsonage adja- 
cent to the church, at a total cost, for both edifices, of about $1,750. In 1863, 
Rev. Mr. Lorentzen was succeeded by Rev. Peter Dahl, he by Rev. Mr. 
Schmidt, and he by Rev. William H. Schmidt, who remained the Pastor until 
his death, in 1872. Rev. Mr. Dubiel was their next preacher. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. John Karminsky, he by Rev. Mr. Deichmani\, he by Rev. 
Charles Behrends. and he by Rev. Mr. Conrad, the present minister. Services 
are held in the German language, and the congregation numbers about thirty 
members. 

In the latter part of the year 1862, a society of the Roman Catholic faith 
was organized. The first services of this denomination were held in the pri- 
vate residences of Cornelius Rourke, Adam Johns and John Lucas. As the 
meetings increased in importance, they were held in the schoolhouse and Court 
I louse, until their numbers increased to such an extent as to render it neces- 
sary to build a church, which was completed, at a cost of $5,000, and services 
held in the new edifice in the fall of 1866. The dedicatory services were held 
by Rev. Father Mettinger, and at the time of the completion of the church 
the Society comprised about fifty members. The following are the Priests in 
charge of the Society since its organization : * Fathers Quigley, Zebell, Jam- 
sen. Fitzgibbons, Costa, Clifford (the latter at the laying of the corner-stone), 
Mettinger (al dedication), Jaques, Cleuse. Weginan, Sauer and Anne. Father 
Aline has for some time been in bad health and has been forced to resign his 
charge in consequence, hence the Church is without a Pastor at present. The 
Church now numbers 1,500 members. (This includes all members of families 

I'll.- first Boven named, rs Missionaries, the remaining five ;i~ regular Pastors or B 



804 llisi mi \ x I : I » 001 NTT. 

win. have been baptised or ohi rom parents down to infants. Tin 

luit the <>m- Catholic Church in Menard County, and much | . le t.> the 

and energy of M< - R >urke, Luthinger and others, for tin- pi 
inisation and ita eleganl temple of worship. A ; 
adjacent t<> the church, a ■■-. together with Btables and i 

buildings, increasing tin- value of the church property to about 
00. During the ] Saner, the school building 

in which school," as it i- t< rried on under the pr< 

charge or for the year ju>t c 
attended by from ighty pupils. 

The first the Christian Church at Peterson i rather check- 

• •"';• - formed under the oharg( 

through the exertion, of Aaron 11. White, which continued fbi 

ritual consolation now and then from passing ministi rs. Ibout 

I v 1- si reral preachei - gated and held an " open-air meeting," one I 
southwest of the public Bquare, which resulted in "shaking of the dry 
bones of the valley," and a large addition was made to the number of belies 

i this time until 1850, rel ere held by the society in the 

Court I [ouse, which - have, at oertain 

hip for all the religious bodies represented in Petersburg. \.bout this 
peril irly members having died and moved away, the 

y reduced and i 
pi as an J minister passed through and preached a In 

ganised under the influence of William White, and, with 
■nl fortui 1 until L875, when it was 

Elder D. B I ml. Julj 1. which 

I until the 1-th of September. Tins ii irly 

two hundred. Having no church edifice, a hall was used as a pla 
but heii . they in 

II \t the olose of the revival mentioned in effort was mad 
build a church, which resulted in the erection of the substantial brick building 

part of the town, and which we 
on the first Sunday in March, 1876, Eldei D. II. La iching th< 

ler M. M. G tor "t" the « 'lunch in 

uary, l v 7'>. and is still laboring in tl ity. The Church is in a 

ition, with a membershi] it two hundred 

Sunday Scho imirly Bourisl 

I hurch, We Were Mlinl ■ ,\ itlf .1!: \ < -Jl'I 

the full,,. history of it already public ptist Church 

n, 1854, \\ :-ii : iui •• • i mi \ 

1 < '• • and II. P. Curry. In 1856, it buill e brick church, 

I I The who have filled the pulpit 

from time to tune, of this church are \. .1. Coffey, II P. Curry, M. P. Hartly, 



HISTORY OF MEN \ki> 001 vn 

T. Clarke, A. Blount, P. Gk Clarke, J. M. Winn, Clarke and A. Scott. 

The Church, by death and removals, was bo weakened that, for Beveral 
teas withoul a regular Pastor. Rev. II. P. Curry, who I in the firsi 

organization of the Church, and who has ever been ;i pillar of strength in the 
society, for whose advancement in Central Illinois he has labored with greal 
earnestness and /.<-iil for many years, is a1 presenl the Pastor. The society al 
Petersburg now numbers aboul eighty members, thirty of whom were udded 
during the pasl year." The above \\:r> written aboul 187 I. and we learn that, 
;it the present tunc, the Church is again without a Pa tor. 

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, in \*" { K by R< ■ 
James White with some seven or eight members. He preached to them ■ 
sionally, occupying the Court Souse, for one year. The society them became 
dormant, and bo remained until L874, when it was re-organized by l!<'v. I!. I). 
Miller, uitli nine members, viz.: Dr II. A. Harris, 0. L. Hatfield, W. R. 
Edgar, C. II. Thomas, l>. M. Bone, T. E. Clarke, Mie Anna Shepherd, Mi 
Elizabeth Barclay and Mrs. Lucy Thomas. The Session was Harris, Hatfield 
:iik1 Clarke. Ever since re organization, services have been held in the Courl 
House, and Rev. Mr. Miller is still Pastor. The society numbers, at present, 
between forty and fifty members. The " n ie comprised of l>. M. Bone, 
C. L. Hatfield and B. P. Blood; Deacons, C. II. Thomas and Robert Carver. 
A new church edifice was begun the present summer, and, at this writing 
nearing completion, which will cost n«>t far from $5,000, and will be one ot 
handsomest churches In the town. To Mrs. Dr. A.ntle, we are told, more than 
to any other one person, is the society indebted for the erection of th 
The church is known as " Barclay Chapel," and was named in honor of I 
John Barclay, one of the most promising young ministers of this church in Iim 
day, in Central Illinois. He died in this county aboul twenty-fi 
and was a brother to the Miss Barclay mentioned in the organization of the 
ty. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained, under the superintendence 
of C. L. Hatfield. 

Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship, those benevolent institutions that 
wide an influence for good, usually follow close in the wake of the Chrii 
Church. We know that the causes which actuate them are beneficent and 
because the results achieved a rand and glorion I was 

introduced in Petersburg nearly forty years ago. Clinton I-" nized 

under dispensation, in October, I Ml'. [n due time, it was chartered ac Clin- 
ton Lodge, No. 19, A.. V. \ A. M. The first officers were : John Bennett, 
hipful Master; Martin S. Morris, Senior Warden; John McNeal, Junioi 
Warden; Jacob West, Treasurer; John Broadwell, Secretary; David McMur- 
phy, Senior Deacon; and W. 15. Kirk. Junior Deacon. The present member- 
ship is L15, and the officers are as follows : John Bennett, Worshipful Mast 
Homer Stewart, Senior Warden; R. S. Steven . Junior Warden; II. W. 
Montgomery, Treasurer; J. <i. Strodtmann, Secretary; J. R 






HI8T0RY OF MENARD COD! 

•ii : and -J. K. Jarad, Junior Deacon. A- a matter of interest to 
the fraternity, we make the following extract from a local writer : " Clinton 
i- named in hon G . De Witt Clinton, of Ne* York. T 

perpt - memory and great virtues, the Masonic brethren have caused \<< 

'lilt, for the ornamentation "I" their lodge-room, ;i ' shell monument, 1 con- 
nection of sheila arranged with genius and skill. As the number 
-.n i- one of the old 1. lg< - >t the State." Mr. 
1 ■ lei as Worshipful Master for nearl; if years, 

and, as appreciation of his earnest labors t" advance the interests of the society, 
ln< brethren have honored him, the present year, by again elevating him to the 
< Oriental < 'hair. 

I>>- Witt Chapter, No. 119, Royal Arch M is ms, was organized Marcl - 
L868, with the followii of officers: Hobart Hamilton, M.\ K. . 

Priest; T. W. McNeely, E.\ King; J. T. Brooks, E.\ Scribe; John 
ett, Captain of the II"-;: II. W. Montgomery, Treasurer, and -l 
Itmann, Secretary. The Chapter has now sixty-one members, and the fol- 
lowing officers : Hobarl Hamilton, M.*. E.\ High Priest; J. II. Traylor, E.*. 
King; Fred Wilkinson, K •. Scribe; A.nson Thompson, Captain <>t' the II 
T. C. Bennett, Principal Sojourner; «'. E. McDougall, Royal Arch Captain; 
II. W. Montgomery, Treasurer, and J. G. Strodtmann, Secretary. 

St. Aldemar Commandery, No. 47. Knights Templar, was organized i 
ber -~ . 1875, by Right Eminent Sir Hiram W. Hubbard, Grand Commander 
of the State. The first officers were : Eminent Sir Hobart Hamilton, Com- 
mander; Sir T. W. McNeely, Generalissimo; Sir Charles B. Thacher, Captain 
General; Sir Anson Thompson, Senior Warden; Sir Edward Laning, Junior 
Warden; Sir F. I'. Antic Treasurer; Sir J. <I. Strodtmann, Recorder; Sir J. 
M. Sawyer, Standard Bearer; Sir J. T. Brooks, Sword Bearer; Sir 1 
Bennett, Warder, and Sir J. E. Dickinson, Captain of the Guard. There are 
the names of twenty-siz Sir Knights on the roll, and the officers for 1 S T'.' are: 
.hi Sir T. W. McNeely, Commander; Sir Fred. Huggins, Generalissimo ; 
Sir J. M. Sawyer, Captain General; Sir T. ( '. Bennett, Prelate; Sir \n--n 
Thompson, Senior Warden; Sir E. W. Eads, Junior Warden ; Sir F. P. Antic. 
Sir J. <i. Strodtmann, Recorder; Sir I. N. Stevens, Standard 
Bearer; Sir C. B. Laning, Sword Bearer; Sir Fred Wilkinson, Warder, and 
Sir John T. Brooks, Captain of the Guard. 

Bennett Chapter, No. 19, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized January 
I s . 1872. The firsi offic : John Bennett, W. P.; Mrs. I- White, 

W. M.; Mrs. James W. Judy, A. M. ; Mrs. A. I>. Wright, Treasurer, and 
Mrs. John Benn< 3 tary. The officers for 1879 are: Homer Stewart, 
W. P.; Mrs. .1. E. Dickinson, W. M. ; Miss Elizabeth Beekman, A. M. ; Mrs. 
W. S. Conant, Treasurer, and Mrs. Jennie Han 5 tary. 

The Masonic Fraternity, in connection with the Harris Guards, are now 
iged m the erection of a substantia] brick building, tin- upper story of 



HISTORY OF M.KNARh COUNTY. 307 

■which will be used as a Masonic Hall. The corner stone of the edifice was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies, under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of 
Masons, on the 9th of September of the present year, by Most Worshipful 
William Lavely, Past Grand .Master of the State. We shall refer to this 
building again in another page. 

Salem Lodge, No. 123, I. 0. 0. F., was organized under dispensation 
April 13, with the following charter members: B. F. Stevenson, C. N. Gould- 
ing, J. II. Collier, Theodore Baker and Z. P. Oabaniss. The first officers 
were: John H. Collier, Noble Grand; B. F. Stevenson, Vice Grand: Z. P. 
Cabaniss, Secretary, and Theo. Baker, Treasurer. The Lodge continued under 
dispensation to the 14th of October, "when it was chartered, and, for the first few 
years following its organization, it flourished almost beyond precedent. At the 
end of the first year, it had enrolled upward of fifty members. This prosperity 
continued until the commencement of the war in 1861, and from that and 
other causes, its fortunes waned and its membership became much reduced in 
numbers. The few remaining members even contemplated a surrender of their 
charter, and a vote upon the question, we are told, was actually taken, when 
the dormant energies of the lukewarm were aroused, and the Lodge received a 
new lease of life. The financial difficulties which had for some time harassed 
it. were overcome, and from that time it has prospered. Its present member- 
ship is fifty, and its officers are: W. P. Elam, Noble Grand; E. M. Morris. 
Vice Grand: A. J. Kelley, Secretary; Douglas Bale, P. Secretary ; Robert 
Frackelton, Treasurer. 

An Encampment was organized under dispensation, August 1<i. 1871, with 
the following original members: J. W. Cheaney, John W. Briggs, James W. 
Bracken, Richard Mullen, Alfred E. Mick. George Clemens, W. S. Conant 
and Charles Fricke. The first officers were : James W. Cheaney, W. P. ; J. 
W. Briggs, H. £. ; J. A. Bracken, S. W. ; A. E. Mick. Scribe; George Clem- 
en-. Assistant Scribe. At the October session of the Grand Encampment, a 
charter was granted to this body, and it was regularly instituted as Charity 
Encampment No. 125, I. 0. 0. F. It has a membership, at present, oi 
twenty, and is governed by the following corps of officers: Richard Mullen, C. 
P.; A. E. Mick, H. P. ; A. J. Kelley, Scribe; Charles Fricke. Treasurer; 
Robert Bishop, S. W., and Douglas Hale. J. W. 

Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 02. I. 0. 0. F., was instituted May 5, 1876, 
and re-instituted March -j, 1879, with sixteen members, to which have since 
been added twenty-six. making a total membership of forty-two. The follow- 
ing officers were installed in March. 1879, and still fill their chairs: 1!. S. 
Frackleton, N. G. ; Mrs. Sarah C. Cheaney. V. G. ; Mrs. Helen L. Zilly. 
Secretary; Mrs. Belle Coneys, Financial Secretary: Mrs. Nancy Pemberton, 
Treasurer; Charles Fricke, Warden; Mrs. Mary B. Mick. Conductor; E. M. 
Morris, 0. G.: Mrs. Margaret Clemens, 1. Gh ; J. W. Faith. R. S. N. G. : W. 
P. Elam, L. S. N. G. ; Mrs. Mary A. Mullen. R. S. V. G. ; Mrs. Martha J. 



HISTORY OF MEN IRD COUNTY. 

ESIam, L. S. V. <<.. and Robert Bishop, Chaplain. Meetings, the first Thurs- 
day of eacb month. 

I Knights of Honor, was instituted Decerab 

1878, and has, at present, thirty-five members, with the following officers: 1». 
M. B . Dictator; J. II. Carver, V. Dictator; J. M. Walker, A 
A. .1. Kelley, Reporter; Arthur Young, Financial Reporter, and Thomas ' 
rer. 

THE CITY PB 

The first newspaper was established in Petersburg in the fall of l s -~>4. It 

published by S. 13. Dugger, and was called the Petersburg Ea \fter 

conducting it for about a year, he disposed of it to Henry L. < Slay, and it be 

neutral in politics, ami its name changed to the Mi nard Index. In September, 

1 ^"- N . he sold it to Hobart Hamilton and a man named Brooks, who changed it into 

tpublican paper, and continued its publication until 1st;:;, when it was sold 

and removed from the county. Brooks continued with Hamilton about a year, 

ami says alter changing the politics of the paper, and sending oat the first 

: publican sheet.. it- patrons became very much enraged, and would 

collie to the office by with their papers wadded up in their hands, and, 

throwing them at the door, would exclaim, "There's your Abolition pa] 

Shortly before the removal of the Index, the Northwestern Baptist, a relig 
paper, was issued from th< Dice, and edited by M. i\ Hartly. 

Hamilton changed the Index into a Republican paper, the Menard County 
a Democratic organ, was established with C. Clay as editor and 
publisher, it.- first issue was April L2, L859, and was continued by Clay until 

T. when it was purchased by a joint-stock company, with M. B. Friend as 
editor, and its name chai Petersburg Democrat, which name it still 

retain-. Mr. Friend remained in charge of the paper until 1871, when E. T. 
McElwain became editor. He continued in editorial control until July 1, l v TT. 
when he was by A. B. Mick. July I 1878, Mr. Mick associated S. 

S. Kiiole- with him in its publication, and <o the firm continues to the pr< 
time. 

During the campaign of Fillmore, Buchanan and Fremont, in 1856, William 
Glenn Btarted a paper called the Fillmore Bugle, but it ceased at the cl< 

In June, 1868, the '/ County // « jtablished 

with Richard Richardson as editor. He sold out in about a J hn T. 

McNeely, who i inducted it until 1871, when Bennett & Zane became the pro- 
prietors. Ahont -ceded by John Frank, who soon 
retired, and wa- followed by F. M. Bryant, who likewise remained but a Bhort 
time, and Bennett continued alone in its control for a time. F. J. Dubois then 
became a partner, and assumed editorial control for a year. The material of 
the Republican was Bold to John Frank early in 1 S T1. who had Btarted a new 
paper the August preceding, called the Menard County Times. It and 
iblican were now consolidated and published under the name of the Tines. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 309 

Frank sold out to F. M. Bryant, who continued the paper until May 9, 1 x 7v 
•when he sold it to G. W. Cain & Parks. Cain had been publishing a paper in 
Tallula, and when he bought out Taylor, he changed the name of the paper to 
the Petersburg Observer. The paper is now devoted to the Greenback and 
Labor party, and is still under control of Cain & Parks. 

On the 4th day of September of the present year, the Petersburg Republi- 
can made its first appearance. The salutatory is signed by Martin & Davis, 
and from it we make the following extract : " We expect to do our utmost to 
maintain and build up the Republican Party as well as the interests of Peters- 
burg and Menard County, and, in return therefor, simply ask a liberal share 
of the public's patronage." The late hour at which this newspaper was born 
into the world, had well-nigh excluded a notice of it from this work, and these 
few lines are all the history of it that we were able to obtain. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 

The Harris Guards, comprising Co. E, of the Fifth Regiment of I. N. G., 
with headquarters at Springfield, was organized originally, in October, 1M74. 
and re-organized under the militia law, in July, 1877. The commissioned 
officers under re-organization, and who still maintain their positions, are C. E. 
McDougall, Captain ; John M. Walker, First Lieutenant ; and James H. Car- 
man. Second Lieutenant. The three commissioned officers served in the late 
war. Capt. McDougall entered the array as a private, and, after nearly four 
years" service, retired as Captain of his company. The Harris Guards consist, 
at present, of about fifty-five, rank and file, and are well drilled, and present a 
very soldierly appearance. In connection with the Masonic Fraternity, of Peters- 
burg, they are, at the present writing, erecting a building, the first story of 
which belong to them, and will be so constructed as to equally adapt it to their 
use as an armory, or, with a few minutes' work, change it to an elegant Opera 
House. The building, when completed as designed, will be not only an orna- 
ment to the town, but an honor to the Harris Guards, and the Masonic Fraternity. 
The estimated cost of that part of the building belonging to the military includ- 
ing the ground, is about $5,200, while the Masonic part will cost nearly as 
much more. 

Petersburg was incorporated as a village a number of years ago, but, as w e 
were unable to get hold of the early records, cannot give the exact date of its 
first organization. Although it now claims a population greater than many 
incorporated cities, it is still under village organization. The question of 
incorporating it as a city was agitated some years ago. The project, however, 
was voted down, and thus it still remains a village, subject to village laws, and ' 
governed by a Board of Trustees. The following is the present Board : Dr. 
F. P. Antle, Philip Rainey, D. S. Eicher, John F. Miller and Isaac McDougall. 
F. P. Antle is President of the Board ; Philip Rainey, Treasurer ; and 



810 HI8TOB1 NTV. 

Black. Clerk. W. P. Elam is Poli W. B. Vaughn, Town Con- 

stable : and A. J. Bless, Night Policeman. 

Brat hank was established in Petersburg by Brahm & Greene, in 1866. 
The hank i- still in operation, and in tin- hands of the original propriet 
who conduct ;i general banking business in all it- branches. Another bank is 
carried on 1 ikelton, bo that the town and surrounding country 

qo lack <>f facilities of a financial character. 

The bar of Menard County is represented by a body of gentlemen who. in 
ability and legal lore, will compare favorably with any of the surroun 
counties. In a work of this character, we cannot devote Bpa ravagant 

in_ r . nor to criticisms, as one might indulge in in a 
newspaper article. But we may mention in connection with the bar of Peters- 

g, the name i Hon. T. W, McNeely, who has represented his district two 
terms in i . and Hon. X. W. Branson, who has served with distim 

in tl ; Mature. There may lie others who have served their country 

with honor and ability, but <>f whom we failed to obtain the facts. The health 
of the city ami neighboring country, is in charge of a c »rps of able physicians, 
who are zealous in their chosen profession, ami watchful of the welfare of the 

people, whose health is trusted to their care. 

There are four cemeteries around Petersburg. The Brat is known ;i- "The 

< >hl Burying Ground/ 1 which is free to all. ami i- supervised by the Town 
1. It contains the remains of many of the pioneers, who reduced the 
country from a wild and savage wilderness and laid the foundations of the | 
Sent Mate of civilization. The t'alvar . y is under the auspices of the 

Roman Catholic Church. <>aklaml Cemetery is a lovely spot adjacent to the 

city. But the most beautiful of all is Rose Hill Cemetery. It was laid out in 

L858, and incorporated in L859, with the following officers: J. M- Greene, 
dent; Directors, Tilford Clarke, W. M. Cowgill, W. P. Elam and W - 
Conant. The present officers are: X. W. Branson, President; W. I'. Elam, 
.lames Bobbins, Con. Elourke, Directors; and W. S. Conant, Treasurer. To 
the latter gentleman, more than to any other, is the town indebted for this 

beautiful little city of the dead. 

"OLD 8ALBM." 

This ancient village of Menard County, now a pile of moldering ruin-. 
was once the center of business for a large Bcopeof country. Before the birth 
.if Petersburg, it was the principal trading-poinl in the present limits of the 
county. It i-. or was, situated on the •• Heights of Abraham," some hundred 
feet or «. above the level of the raging Sangamon, ami about two miles from 
rsburg. It was surveyed and laid out on the 18th l^i".'. by 

Reuben Harrison, for Rutledge & Cameron, the owners of the land. The first 
dwellings erected were a couple of cabins built for John Cameron ami James 
Rutledge. The Brsl storehouse was put up by Samuel Hill ami John McNamar, 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 811 

in which they opened a stock of goods, probably the first store within the 
present bounds of the county. The next store opened was by George Warbur- 
ton. who. in a short time, removed to Petersburg, and became one of the original 
proprietors of that town, as noted in its history. It is said that he was a man 
of fine business qualities, an excellent scholar, and without an enemy, except 
Ins appetite for strong drink. At Salem, he sold out to two brothers named 
Crisman, who came from Virginia. After remaining a short time, they dis- 
posed of their possessions and moved away. 

A post office was established at Salem, and was the first (or the second) in 
the county. John McNamar was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded by 
Abraham Lincoln, who held the office until his removal to Springfield. The 
following story is told of this pioneer office. There was a man who lived in the 
settlement, who was never known to get a letter, or mail-matter of any kind, 
and was in the habit of coming to the office every day and, to annoy the postmaster. 
inquiring for letters. One day Hill and some others prepared a letter, couched 
in the most endearing terms, to which they appended the name of a swarthy 
female of "African descent," living in the neighborhood, and when he again 
inquired for letters, it was given him in the most matter-of-fact way. He was 
never known to ask for mail-matter at that office afterward. 

Dr. John Allen, as noticed in the history of Petersburg, first located at 
this place; a brother also came here with him. Dr. Allen was the first prac- 
ticing physician in the village. Dr. Duncan was another of the early practi- 
tioners of this section. Joshua Miller was the first blacksmith. Edmund 
Greer, ''learned in the law," dealt out justice to the guilty as the first 
magistrate, and when "law business" Avas at a low ebb, he filled in the 
time teaching school, and was the first pedagogue, as well as the first 
Justice of the Peace. A hotel was opened by John Kelso, and within its hos- 
pitable walls were entertained the wayfaring men who chanced to pass through 
the village. Rutledge & Cameron built a mill here at an early period, which 
was patronized by the people living within a circuit of fifty miles. This is the 
mill over the dam of which Abraham Lincoln piloted the flatboat. and, with a 
display of tact and ingenuity wholly astonishing to those who beheld the opera- 
tion, relieved the boat of water by a new style of pump not much in use on 
board of vessels at that day. The story, however, is so familiar to the people 
of Menard County that we will pass over it in this chapter. The Old Salem 
mill was known tar and near. and. as already stated, was patronized by a large 
district. It was a very rude affair, and stood just under the bluff upon which 
the town was located, and is thus described by a local writer of the period : •• It 
consisted of two or three log pens, anchored with rocks, upon which was 
erected a platform, where a pair of rough stones were placed, and driven by a 
water-wheel attached to an upright shaft." It was, however, considerably 
improved before Salem became extinct, and, in 1852, was purchased by Abra- 
ham Bale. He set in to repair it, but died before accomplishing his purpose. 



BISTORT OF MENARD 0OUNT1 

Hi- sons finally put it in order, and one of them, T. Y. Dale, still owns and 
operates it. 

Tin- is a synopsis of the early history of Salem, except the connection with 
it of Abraham Lincoln. Ami upon this point there has been so much written 
that we will not dwell upon it now. With a brief notice of him and his res- 
idence here, we will close the chapter. Mr. Lincoln was a native-born Ken- 
tuckian. Stave, in his history of Illinois, says : "Abraham Lincoln was hum 
in La Rue (now Hardin) County, Kv.. a). out two miles south of the village of 
Hodgensville, February 1_. L809. Here bis father had taken up a land claim 
of 300 acre-, rough, broken and poor, containing a fine spring, known to this 
day as the " Linkum Spring." Unable to pay for the unproductive land, the 
claim was abandoned, and the family moved from place to place in the neigh- 
borhood, being very destitute. These removals, occurring while Abraham was 
scarcely more than an infant, have given rise to different statement-; as to the 
<\aet j. lace of his birth. It is said that in that part of Kentucky, four places 
now claim the honor. 

•• Thomas Lincoln, the father of Abraham, moved to Spencer County, Ind., 

in 1816. Here he remained until 1830, when he came to Illinois, and settled 

in Macon County, on the north fork of the Sangamon River, ten miles south- 
wesl of Decatur. In 1833, he removed to Coles County, where, year- later, he 
died. There, in a quiet little cemetery, known as "Gordon's Graveyard," 
j, without stone or lettered monument to mark the spot. As appropri- 
ate in this place, we give a poem, written by a citizen of Coles County, on his 

death, which wen! the rounds of the press at the time, and appeared in several 

leading magazines, entitled the " Grave of the Father of Abraham Lincoln:" 

" In :i low Bweel vale by a murmuring rill, 
Tin' pi"!, - are sleeping ; 

When- the white marble Blabs so lonely nn«i still. 
In silence their vigils are k<-«-ping. 

•• On their Bad, lonelj words of fame, 

But none of them Bpeak of liis glory ; 
When the pioneer died, his age and his name, 
v. monument whispers the story. 

myrtle, imr ivy, nor hyacinth blows 
■ I er the lonely grave where they laid him . 
ler, nor holly, nor almond-! 
: the plebeian's grave to shade him. 

■ Bright evergreens wave over manj 

some bow i he sad weeping-will* 
But ii" willow-tree bows, nor ever- groo ns 
Where t he pioneer Bleeps on his pillow; 

H- .in- Inhumed with the honors ol State, 
Ind laid beneath temples to molder; 
'I'Ik- grave of the father of Lincoln the Qreet, 
1- known bv ;i hillooi and bowlder. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 315 

" Let him take his lone sleep, and gently rest, 
With naught to disturb or awake him, 
When the angels shall come to gather the blest 
To Abraham's bosom they'll take him." 

While engaged in writing the history of Livingston County, we met a gen- 
tleman, Hon. A. A. Burton, a native Kentuckian, who was a great admirer of 
Mr. Lincoln, and who was a Lincoln Elector, in Kentucky, in 1860, for the 
State at large, a position that at that time required considerable grit to assume. 
Judge Burton had a rail draped in mourning, carefully preserved in his library, 
to which was attached the following certificate: 

Decatur, 111., June 1, 1860. 

I do hereby certify, that the piece of rail this day delivered to Dr. G. W. McMillan, to be 
by him sent to A. A. Burton, of Lancaster, Ky., is from a lot of 3,000 made by Abraham Lin- 
coln and myself in this county, and that I have resided in this county ever since that time. 

his 
Attest: R. J. Oglesby. John X Hanks. 

mark. 

It was on this place, settled by his father in Macon County, that Lincoln 
spent his first winter in Illinois, and "from this place," says Mr. Stuve, " the 
rails which played so important a part in the campaign of 1860, were procured." 
In the following spring, having attained his majority, he came to Salem, where 
the history of his residence is familiar to every school-boy in Menard County. 
His employment as clerk, and with a partner, his succession to the business. 
their subsequent failure, are so well known as to require no repetition. After 
the failure of his firm as merchants, Lincoln turned his attention to surveying, 
and, as stated elsewhere in this work, surveyed much of the lands, both in 
Menard and Mason Counties. When the Black Hawk war broke out, in 1832 
Lincoln volunteered his services, and was elected Captain of his company. 
The same year, after the close of the war, he became a candidate for the Legis- 
lature, and from that time, his life, until terminated by the assassin's hand, was 
closely intertwined with State and national history. 

With the laying-out of Petersburg, the glory of " Old Salem " began to 
wane, and the location of the county seat at that place sealed its doom. Tin 
leading business men removed to the new metropolis, and Salem became another 
edition of Goldsmith's " Deserted Village." But little remains to designate 
the spot Avhere it once stood. The mill is still there, but improved, renovated 
and changed, until it is a very different establishment from that which Old Salem 
knew, and which used to "crack corn " for the pioneers of the Sangamon 
bottom. 

Tice's Station is on the Springfield & North-Western Railroad, about four 
miles from Petersburg. It consists merely of a shipping-point for o-rain, a 
post office, depot and small store, together with a schoolhouse and church. 
The place has never been laid out as a village. It is located on the old Tice 
farm, and at Oak Ridge Post Office. This office was established about twenty- 
five years ago, with Hampton Woodruff as Postmaster. He was succeeded by 



316 HI8T0BY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

•;t Winters, and he in turn by A. \V. Tice, the present incumbent, and 
who is u brother of Jo The first and the only Btore at 

the place is kept by Mr. Tice. There is considerable grain bought here, and 
shipped from this little station. The present buyers are Fischer, G&ult & 
Conover, of Petersburg, and Low & Poster, of Havana. A saw-mill is in oper- 
ation near the station, owned by Seneca Winters, a prominent business man of 

the neighbor! I. A large and flourishing school is located near the station. 

The teacher, for the presenl year, is Prof. W. 11. Berry, formerly County Super- 
intendent of Schools. The school has increased to such an extent that it is 
thought that an assistant teacher will be required for the year just beginning. 
Within sighl of the station is the Methodist Church, huilt about L849-50, 
on land given for the purpose by Judge Tice. It is a frame building, and 
perhaps, about $1,000 or $1,200. Rev. Mr. Kckman. of Athens, is the pr< • 

r, the Church being included within the Athens circuit. A Sunday 
school is maintained during the summer season, of which Seneca Wint< 
Superintendent. The Kev. Mr. Curry, the veteran Baptist Minister of Menard 
County, resides in this immediate neighborhood. 



TALLULA PRECINCT. 

This i- sometimes termed the banner township of Menard County. The 
section of country lying within its borders is one of the finest in this pai 
the State; mostly fine rolling prairie, ami. without being hilly or brokei 
sufficiently undulating to drain well. Besides clary's Grove, there was 
inally little timber in what is now Tallula Precinct. It is likewise nearly 
devoid of water-courses, clary'- Creek and Rock Creek have their source in 

the central or southern part, hut an' so small a- scarcely t<> deserve even the 
name of creek-. The Jacksonville Division of the Chicago ^\ Alton Railroad 
runs diagonally through from northeast to Bouthwest, and has been of incalcu- 
lable benefit, as elsewhere noted. Tallula is the southwestern precincl of the 
county, and contains three sections less than a regular Congressional town. It 
is divided into four parts by the township ami range lines which cross each 
other one mile north of the village of Tallula. thus throwing a tier of sections 
more in the two BOUthern divisions than in the northern, the west "lie of the 
latter being three sections short, owing to a jog in the line. The pr> 

hounded on the easl by Petersburg ami Rock Creek Precincts, on the Bouth by 
Morgan County, on the west by Cass County, and on the north by Petersburg 
Precinct. No large cities or towns, nor extensive manufactories exist, hut 
farming ami stock-raising are the principal sources of business enterprise. 
The beautiful little village of Tallula is the only town in the precinct, and will 

he noticed more fully farther on in this chapter. This section produce.- coal of 

an excellent quality, and mining i- carried on to some extent in the vicinit 

the \ i 1 1 ; i 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 317 

Notwithstanding Tallula Precinct is the very perfection of civilization, and 
the home of wealth and refinement, the time was when it might have boasted 
of the other extreme. Something over half a century ago, the name of 
Clary's Grove was synonymous with all the deviltry and mischief that 
occurred within a radius of fifty miles, and the few honorable men whose mis- 
fortune it was to live among the "border ruffians" of that remote date, say 
they were ashamed to tell where they were from when they went to Spring- 
field. The settlement was composed chiefly of the " rag, tag and bob-tail" 
who leave the more civilized sections for their own and the country's good, seek 
the frontier where they arc unrestrained by law and order, and again take up 
their line of march as the star of empire wends its way westward. So it was 
here. As civilization advanced, these roughs pulled up stakes and moved on 
to other frontier localities, and Clary's Grove developed into one of the most 
quiet and respectable neighborhoods in all the surrounding country, and to-day 
it is looked on as the very paradise of Menard County. The ill name given it 
by the lawless deeds of the "Clary's Grove boys" is almost forgotten, or 
remains only as the last lingering memories of a hideous nightmare. But 
we would not have our readers impressed with the idea that we include the 
Clary family, than whom none better exists in the county, with these hard 
characters. As we have stated, they were the rough element always found in 
frontier settlements. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE PRECINCT. 

The first settlement made in Tallula Precinct was in Clary's Grove, by a 
man named John Clary, from whom the grove derived its name. Clary was 
from Tennessee, and squatted here about the year 1819. For three years, he 
spent the winters in a kind of camp, made of poles, with three sides built up, 
the fourth left open, and where a huge log heap was kept burning night and 
day during the winter season, while his family reposed and were sheltered in the 
camp attached to this burning pile. He sold his claim to a man named Wat- 
kins, and he sold it to George Spears, who now lives upon the site of this 
original settlement of Clary's Grove. After selling his claim to Watkins, 
Clary removed to Arkansas, but many relatives and descendants are living still 
in the county. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and participated in 
many of the fierce battles with " King George's red-coats." By nature a 
pioneer, he sought the wilds of Illinois, and, as people crowded him too close, 
removed to Arkansas as above stated. Thomas Watkins was from Kentucky, 
and settled in Clary's Grove as early perhaps as 1820-21, and bought the 
claim of Clary, as stated above. He sold out to George Spears upon his arrival 
in the country in 1824. and removed into the river timber near the present 
city of Petersburg, where he died at a later day. He has two sons and per- 
haps other descendants living in the county. Absalom Mounts was here also 
about 1820-21. He built a mill here in a very early day, which was of the 



318 HI8T0R1 OF MENARD COUNTY. 

most primitive pattern, dimensions and capacity. Whence be came, no one 
as to know, bnt he after ward went to Mason County, as it of him 

there in the milling bus y early. 

James White and Roberl Conover were brothers-in-law to G Spears, 

and came from Green County, Ky. White Bettled here in 1820, and Conover 
in 1822. They both married - Spears, and they, as well as their wi 

ore dead. They died on tin- forms they originally Bettled, but have left behind 
them numerous descendants. Solomon Matthews was another of the early 
from Tenn< — e. He came aboul L821 or 1^--. but was one 
of the transient settlers to be found in all new countries, who, as game thins 
(.ut and becomes scarce, follow it. Matthews left after a few years, and what 
became of him no one seems to know or care. Another of these very early 
- was Bannister Bond, who was also from Tennessee. He remained here 
Borne twenty or twenty-five years, when he sold out and removed to Iowa, where 
he lived at the last account of him. Cyrus Kirby came from Kentucky about 
1822 or 1823, and settled in the grove. He was rather poor, and had no tram 
to plow and break his ground, but took a mattock and dug up two acres 
prairie, and planted it in corn. Think of this, ye "silk-stockinged" farmers, 
a ride over your broad fields upon your Bulky plows, and watch with pride 
your reapers and " headers" gliding through the golden grain, and remember 
that half a century ago, perhaps, some indigent fanner was toiling upon the 
same spot, like Cyrus Kirby, to make bread for his little ones. When Kirby 
died here some year- :i. r ". this memorable mattock was sold at his Bale and 
bought by one of hi- sons, who .-till keeps it as a relic of the pioneer days. 
Qon Speer is another of tin- pioneers who came to tli-' grove in L820. He 
Came with White and was a hrothcr-in-law to him. After remaining here a 

number of years, lie moved to Cass County where he died. lie ha- two grand- 
daughters living in the village of Tallula ; one of them — the amiable landlady 
of the Wathen House, ami the other — Mrs. Lovesey. Jacob and Jesse Gum 
came in L821-22, ami were also from Kentucky, where most of the early 
Bettlers of this section came from.* Jesse died in the neighborhood where he 
settled; Jacob moved to Knox County and died there Borne years ago. William 
Clary was here as early a- l x _'_' 23, and came from Tennessee. II ■ sold his 
claim t" George Spears when he came in 1824, and removed t" Arkansas. 

Andrew Beard came a! t the same time, and also Bold out hi- claim to 8p< 

— is the place where John Q. Spears now lives. He came from Kentn 

and after selling hi- claim to Spears, moved over 00 the we-t -ide .A' the gn 

where he remained a few years, -old out ami Btarted to remove I i Oregon, hut 
died on the Gulf of Mexico, on his way to his intended home. Burton Lytton, 

another KentUCkian. Bold his claim to Spears in 1824, and removed to whs 
m.w CaSS Count v. It i- QOt known what year he settled in the grove, hut he 

was here when Spear- came. William Revis came here about 1822 _' : '.. hut 

did not remain Ion-. He -old out to Conover ami followed the star of cm; 



HISTORY OF MENARB COUNTY. 319 

Mrs. Jane Vaughn, a widow lady, came about the same time as Revis, but sold 
out some years later and moved to Knox County. Joseph Watkins was also 
here as early as 1820-21. He moved to Little Grove, where he afterward died. 
John Gum, Sr., came in 1822, and was from Kentucky. He afterward removed 
to Knox County, where he was living at the last known of him. 

The pioneers named above settled in the grove previous to 1824 — the year 
that George Spears came to the settlement. Some had even moved away before 
he came, and others left soon after. They were mostly of that character who 
squat in the wilderness where game is plenty, and when that begins to fail, 
they, like the Arabs, 

" fold their tents, 
And :is silently steal away." 

Mr. Spears came from Kentucky in 1824, and, as already noted, bought 
the claims of several of the parties, whose setttlement in the grove has been 
mentioned in the preceding pages. His father and mother came here with him, 
far advanced in years at the time, and died in a ripe old age, as noticed in the 
biographical department of this work. George Spears bought the claims of 
these squatters, which were squatter's claims only, and then entered the land 
when it came into market. He has, since he came here in 1824, entered and 
opened up over three thousand acres of land and settled his children around 
him upon good farms. He has seen the wilderness transformed into the excel- 
lent state of cultivation we find to-day. When he came here, the few scat- 
tering voters had to go to Springfield to exercise that right of American free- 
men. He built the second brick residence, in 1829, erected in Sangamon 
County, which then embraced Menard, Cass, Mason and perhaps as many 
others. That brick residence has been his home for fifty years, and in it, a 
few years ago, he celebrated, with his beloved helpmeet and a circle of friends, 
their golden wedding. Since then she has left him for a home up yonder. 
He is still in vigorous health, both mentally and physically, and to him 
we acknowledge our indebtedness for many facts pertaining to the early 
settlement of this section. An earnest and zealous Christian of the Baptist 
type, he has contributed liberally to the support, and to the building of the ele- 
gant church in Tallula. Coleman and John Gaddie, with their widowed 
mother came in 1824. and were from Kentucky. John Workman was among 
the early settlers who came in 1824-25. He died soon after, and a man named 
Simpson bought out the widow. Simpson died some years later, and his family 
remained on the place until last year, when they sold it and removed to Kansas. 
John Jones was another of the pioneers of 1824. He came from Kentucky, 
and died in Little Grove a number of years ago. Mrs. Rebecca Spears, a 
widow lady, came here with her family about l*2<i, and settled in the grove, 
where all the first settlements were made. 

Elias Conover was the firsl man who settled out on the prairie. He built 
his residence four miles from the timber, and was supposed at the time to be , 



HI8T0RY OF MEN \KI> COUNTY. 

crazy. He was from New Jersey, and possessed the idea that by locating out 
i>n the prairie he would always have an uninterrupted range for his stock on 
"nature's wa\ le universal supposition that those then 

living would nev< the prairies settled up. How nearly they 

were in their < n of things, the present state of the country goes to show. 

Mr. Conover settled his family around him and dii . the 

place of his original settlement. Thomas Arnold was from Tennessee, and 
came to the Bettlemenl in 1826 27. He was very poor when he came, and 
lived "ii Spears' land until able to buy land, and finally accumulated a fair 
property. -John Sewell was m brother-in-lav to Arnold and came at the - 
time. He brought his aged mother t<> the settlement with him. William Tip- 
pett came about the same time, and both lived on Spears' land until abl 
buy land. They are mentioned a< extremely honest, hard-working men. and 
finally secured comfortable linine-. 

Samuel B. Neely came from Tennessee and settled in the grove in l v '_>. 
He reiniiveil t<i Mas. m County, where he died recently. Abraham Burgin was 
from New Jersey and came to the settlement in 1 ^-'>-->'>. He was a man of 

e prominence and died near Galesburg several years ago. Abraham B. 
1 it-11 came from Kentucky in 1826 and settled in the neighborhood, where he 
died a few years ago. He lias two sons who are merchants in the villagi 
Tallula ami among the live business men of the place. John Kinner was 
from Virginia and came to the settlement at the same time as did Bell. B 
Btill living in the grove. William T. Beekman came from New Jersey. B 
a son-in-lavi of G Spears, and is still living near the village. Robert 

Conover, ln-nther of Elias Conover, came a few years before the latter and 
tied in the grove. Other early settlers in what is now Tallula Precinct are 
Jacoh and Jee . William Smedley, Samuel < lolwell, Joseph i 

tington, Th lore Baker, Isaac N. Reding and William < i. Greene. The latt< 

a native of Kentucky and came here at a very early day with his parents, who 
settled near the village of < >L1 Salem, where they died many years Inter. William 
< ■. « ireene has spent m08t of his lite in this section and has accumulated a large 

fortune. As a full ami complete history of hi- career is given in the biograph- 
ical portion of this work, we will not repeat it here. There are probably 
other old settlers who deserve mention in this chapter, hut a long period lias 

elapsed since the first settlements were made in what i- now Tallula Pre- 
cinct, and bo few of the early pioneers are left, that it is simply an impossibility 

Meet the nam.- of all who. hy right, cine under the head of early Settlers. 
KAMA f'K I \ VI tONS. 

Ae we look back over a period of sixty f the 

century which is now rapidly reeling off th.- last quarter of its existence, we 
are -truck with wonder at the great change wrought in this flourishing 
In 1819, the first Anglo-Saxon pitched his tent in the little grove of timber in 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 821 

this portion of the county, standing in the prairie like an oasis in the greal 
desert ; while far beyond, to the east and the west, and the north and the south, 
naught met his eye but the vast and gloomy wilderness, infested with wild 
beasts and savages. As other white people flocked to the grove with undaunted 
courage, they met the ancient possessors of the soil, whether savage beasts or 
savage men, and. despite their strongly contested right to it, succeeded in 
gaining a foothold that has developed into the state of civilization we find 
around us to-day. These people knew nothing of railroads; they had never 
heard of a locomotive, and had any one prophesied the railroad system of the 
present day, he would have been treated as a lunatic. Steam threshers, sulky 
plows, mowers and reapers were alike unknown to these pioneers, and are 
inventions that had never entered into their wildest dreams. The old sod, or 
Cary plow, drawn by two or three yoke of oxen, was their mode of subjecting 
the soil to cultivation. Their nearest trading-point was Springfield, and the 
supply of goods kept there was limited, and often, for the lack of funds, beyond 
their means to obtain. Springfield was likewise their post office, and a 
letter from the old home cost 25 cents, and sometimes laid in the office for 
months before the requisite " quarter" could be obtained to compensate Uncle 
Sam for its transportation, as the old gentleman had a peculiarity of usually 
requiring his little fees in advance. Milling was a great source of inconven- 
ience, to say the least, and, at times, it was almost impossible to obtain meal 
except by pounding the corn in a mortar, sifting it, making bread of the finest 
and hominy of the coarser part of it. When they went to the horse or ox 
mills, it was with an uncertainty as to when they would get their "grinding." 
The prairie fires, and the prairie-wolves, the "deep snow," the sudden "cold 
snap," and hundreds of other troubles and trials met them, of which the 
present generation know nothing, except as they gather around some old grand- 
mother or grandfather and listen to their stories of the pioneer days. But little 
more than half a century has passed, and lo ! the change that has come over all. 
Upon the face of nature the rolling years have written their record, and the 
wilderness is transformed into a very garden of Eden. The railroad train has 
supplanted the ox-wagon ; in fact, the country is a perfect network of rail- 
roads, as an evidence of which an old settler, who has witnessed all these 
changes, informed us that he could stand in his dooryard and hear the locomo- 
tives whistle on five different railroads. The horse and ox mill have given place 
to magnificent steam-mills, while inventions and improvements in farm 
machinery have kept pace with everything else. What the next fifty years 
may produce we dare not conjecture : but, judging of the future from the past, 
it is not extravagant to predict that, fifty years hence, we will be living through 
the air as we now fly over the prairies at the heels of the iron hors 

The first mill in this section of the country was built by Absalom Mounts, 
ami was a rather small affair, but was of great convenience to the few residents 
then in the country. Its capacity was limited, the buhrs being not larger in 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

diameter than a half-bushel measure. This supplied the people until the i 
tion of the mill at old Salem, described in another page. The precinct of 
Tallula. as bounded at present, has not a mill within it< limits, and its citizens 
patronize the mills »f Pet< - :_ and Pleasant Plain. The village of Tallula, 
Bituated, as it is, in the midst of a fertile region, seems to as to presenl an 
excellent opening for a first-class mill, and that some enterprising individual 
will, ereloiiL'. discover the fact, we have no doubt. 

The first practicing physicians in this section of the country were Dr. Allen, 
of Petersburg, and Dr. Etenier, who settled in this precinct about 1828—29. 
The latter was a bachelor when he came here, and. for a period of some four 
years, boarded with George Spears. He then became a Benedict, and went to 
housekeeping. In those early days, people could not afford to get sick, and 
hence doctors were not such important personages as they are now. A man 
who owned a mill or a blacksmith shop was a •• bigger man " than any do* 
as it was supposed that the good wives could do all the •• doctoring " with cat- 
nip tea and "yar! 

Robert Armstrong was the first .1 notice of the Peace, and. as we are 
informed, possessed hut little legal knowledge. Hi- familiarity with legal 

technicalities WCS limited in the extreme, and his courts the theater of l 

humorous Bcenes, as the following will show : A case came before him one 
day. npon which a couple of lawyers were employed. Alter the 

decided, the defeated lawyer gave notice that he appealed the case from his 
decision, when the other lawyer nudged him. and whispered in his ear. " Don't 
allow an appeal." Ju8tice drew himself up with all the dignity eml 

in the ponderous form of David Davis, and replied, " There is no appeal : I 

allow no appeal from this court, sir." 

'fhe first blacksmith in Clary'- Grove is not now remembered, although the 

blacksmith is usually a necessary character in a frontier settlement. The first 
-tores iii the present limits of the precinct were opened at the ancient ami now 
extinct Tillage of Rushaway, as will he noticed further on. 'fhe first posl office 
established was also at this village, 'fhe first birth, death and marriage are now 
lost in the lapse of time, hut are supposed to have occurred among the earl-. 

- who came here, and many of whom left the settlement previous to I : 
at which date we reach a period within the memory of those still living. 

IM C \TI"\ \I. \M. KKI.Io, 
The first scl 1 in the grove Was taught by dames Fletcher, in a litth 

cabin erected on the land of George Spears, about l v _'l 25, for school purp 

Fletcher taught a school in this cabin the first winter after it WBS erected, and 

which was the first in (Mary- Grove, a- noted above. He was not an effi< 
the standard rules of the present day. hut we 

informed that he could -pell in two syllables, and read a little, by junr 
the hard word-. He was the best, however, to he obtained in tl 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 323 

early times, and with him the people were forced to be satisfied. This log 
cabin served the grove as a temple of learning several years, when it waa 
burned to the ground. The people then erected a hewed-log house, which 
was used many years fur church and school purposes. Now the precinct 
has some half-dozen neat frame schoolhouses, besides the elegant brick one in 
the village of Tallula, in which good schools are conducted by accomplished 
teachers for the usual period each year. 

The first church organized in what is now Tallula Precinct was the 
Clary's Grove Baptist Church, and is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, 
church organization in Menard County. In regard to this venerable Church. 
we make the following extract from the "County Atlas," which Mr. Spears 
informs us is as correct as is possible to get its early history, after the 
lapse of so many years : 

';' This Church was organized on the 25th of December (Christmas Day), 
1824, the Ordaining Presbytery consisting of William P. Crow, "William Rol- 
lin and James Brailly. The constituent members were thirteen in number, 
viz. : George Spears, Sr., Mary Spears, Rev. Jacob Gum, Samuel Combs. 
Sr., Jane Combs. Ezekiel Harrison and wife, M. Houghton and wife, Elijah 
Houghton, Catharine Houghton, Robert Conover and Hannah White. The 
first Pastor of this now T venerable Church was Rev. Jacob Gum, with Robert 
Conover as Clerk of the Session. The first church-book was made of foolscn] 
paper, and bound with pasteboard. The early meetings of the society were 
held, for the most part, alternately at the residences of George Spears, Sr., 
and Robert Conover. From a period a few years after its organization until 
1845, a log schoolhouse (the one referred to above) was used by the society as 
a place of worship. During the year last mentioned, the society erected a 
substantial frame building, thirty by forty feet in dimensions, which was used 
as a church building until 1871. This building is thought to have cost about 
$2,000, and was built under a contract with W. T. Beekman, who did the prin- 
cipal part of the carpenter work." 

After the building of the new brick church, the old frame building waa 
-old to Mr. Bell, of the village of Tallula, who converted it into a residence. 
The new church will be noticed in connection with the village, as it stands 
within the corporate limits. The Rev. Mr. Berry was also an early preacher 
in this vicinity, and of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith. He lived in what 
is now Rock Creek Precinct, but preached in Clary's Grove occasionally. 

A Christian Church was organized in the grove in October, 1834. with 
the following members : John Wilson, William G. White, Jane White. J 
L. Trailer, Obedience Trailor and Lydia A. Caldwell. Services were held in 
private residences until 1847, when a comfortable little church was built 
on the farm of William Smedly. In this house they worshiped until 1864, 
when they sold it and erected a church in the village, as noticed in that con- 
nection. 



32 1 HI8T0RT OP MENARD COUNTY. 

The Methodist circuit riders need sometin this way, hut 

•!■ tn have obtained a foothold, as there is no Methodist Church, nor ever has 
been, in the present limits of the precinct. We believe there is a society "f 
ctified Method me members of that peculiar faith, but "f them 

we* know nothing. They have no church building. 

Tallula P - Republican in politics, in fact it is one of the Republi- 

ngholds. During the war, and for some time after, there were but eight- 
- M the precinct. It was, as a natural consequence, ai 
would judge from the color of its political faith, loyal to the core, and far- 
ed many soldiers to the armies of the Union. Failing, howevi 
credit for all of its recruits, it was subjected to a draft before the Btruggle was 
we understood that but one man was drafted, and he, with a loyal 

■ 'ion to bis country, furnished a substitute. In addition to the rank and 
tilt- from this precinct, we have the names of the following commissioned offi- 

J. W. Judy, Colonel of the One Bundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infan- 
try; R. Y. Black, Captain of Company II. same regiment; •'. T. Workman, 
Lieutenant in Company F, same regiment, and J. F. Wilson, Assistant Sur^ 

Also, Capt. Gibson of the Sixty-first Regiment Illinois 
Infantry, but the letter of his company could not be obtained. The Fourteenth, 

■ 11 as the < 'tie Hundred and Fourteenth, drew many recruits from this pre- 
cinct. What the history of these regiments was during the war. it is not our 
purpose to give in this connection. We have not taken the trouble to look it 
up, but doubl not it was glorious as that of all Illinois soldiers. 

This precinct originally embraced a part of Petersburg and all of Rock 
k. extending to t ; ■ er, with the voting-place at Old Salem. 

■ he voting-place being remote from some of the inhabitants, after the laying- 
out of Tallula, boundary lines were changed, the precinct of Rock Creek laid 
off. and the voting-place of this precincl established at the village of Tallula. 

fact that Old Salem, the venerated Bpot where once lived the martyred Lin- 
coln, was embraced in this precinct, is still cherished by many of the citii 
But as Salem is more particularly referred to elsewhere, we will not dwell upon 
it here. 

The Jacksonville Division of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, ai 

idy noted, passes through this precinct, and was completed during the war. 
\- stated in our genera] county history, this road was begun under the tit 
the Tonica & Petersburg Railroad, but was afterward leased or bought by the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. A. full history of the railroads of the 
count en under another head, and for full information on the subject the 

reader is referred to that chapter. This road has been of much benefit in 

loping to n of the county, and, during the last years of the war. 

much grain and f hipped over it t<> our army. In building the 

road, in addition to the stock voted by the county, the people individually took 
lerable stock, Bomi auch as twenty >h i 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 325 



VILLAGE OF TALLULA. 



This little gem of a village is situated in the center of Tallula Precinct, 
and on the Jacksonville Division of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, 
about eight miles from Petersburg, the county scat. It is in the midst of a 
fine rolling prairie, surrounded by a splendid agricultural region in all direc- 
tion.-. It was laid out in the latter part of 1857, by W. G. Greene, J. <i. 
Greene, Richard Yates. T. Baker and W. Gr. Spears. The name of Tallula 
was given by the latter gentleman, and is said to be an Indian word signifying 
"dropping water," though what relation the word or its signification bear 
the village, we are unable to discover. There is no dropping water near the 
place, except when it rains, and water drops from the trees and eaves of tin- 
houses. Nevertheless, it is a pretty name, whether appropriate or not. and it- 
sound is as musical as the country around the village is beautiful. The first 
bouse was erected by W. G. Spears, soon after it was laid out, and is now- 
owned by R. B. Thrapp. The next building was put up by Robert M. Ewing, 
and so nearly at the same time with that of Spears, that it is not easy to say 
which was first. It is now occupied by Dr. Sandford. The first store was 
opened in January, I808, by Thrapp & Spears, which continued about eight 
months, when Spears retired and Thrapp continued the business alone. Mr. 
Thrapp is still in business in the village, and is one of the oldest business men 
of the county. A post office was established in 1858, with F. S. Thrapp as 
Postmaster. C. C. Smedley is at present the representative of the Post-Office 
Department in Tallula. Hugh Hicks opened the first blacksmith-shop in 
1859, and still pounds away at his anvil. Dr. J. F. Wilson was the first prac- 
ticing physician to hang out his shingle in the new village. 

The first grain-buyer was F. S. Thrapp, who commenced the busirn 
as the railroad was opened. He bought and shipped mostly from wagon-. 
but finally built a grain warehouse. A. T. Gaylord built an excellent grain 
elevator here two years ago, which cost about $4,000, but is at present stand- 
ing idle. It has all the modern improvements of steam power, cribs, shelters, 
grain-dumps, etc. F. S. Thrapp. Bell Brothers and C. B. Laning ,v Co.. of 
Petersburg, are at present in the grain trade, and a large amount is handled 
annually. The first tavern in Tallula was kept by Mrs. E. Brooks; but the 
first building erected purposely for a hotel was put up by Frank Spears, who 
ran it for some time as such. The village has two hotels at present. The 
Wathen House — J. F. Wathen, proprietor — is one of the best and most per- 
fectly kept hotels in Central Illinois. The Revere House is kept by Mrs. 
Zolman. A bank was established here in May. b s 77, by Wilson & Greene, 
which Etill continues under the same (inn. A coal shaft was sunk sonic four 
years ago by Charles Greene and a man named Deal. It was finally sold in 
bankruptcy, and bought by C. 1>. Laning & Co., of Petersburg, who are now 
operating it. The shaft is about 200 feet deep, at which depth an excellent 



BISTORT OF MENARD COUNTT. 

vein of coal i- reached, -nun- -:\ feet in thickness. The trains going north 
take coal at this point; b lis, much is shipped over the road to other 

poinl 

The first church erected in the corporate limits of the village was the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, which was built in l s, il. It is a frame build- 
about $3,000. Their first preacher was Rev. J. G. White, n 

have 1 ii in fighting the Catholics, not with fisticuffs, 

but with his tongue. The Church is without a regular Pastor al . and 

has but a small membership. Quite a flourishing Sunday school is maintained. 

ti'-xr church edifice was the Christian Church, erected in 1864. [| 
built under the pastorate of Elder II. Osborne; is a frame building, and cost 
about $4,000. The present Pastor is Elder H. O. Breeden. A Sunday Bchool 

arried on, of which. l>r. Metcalf is the Superintendent. There v> 
church, at one time, of the German Reformed, bur their society dwindled 
down and finally became extinct, and they sold their church building. The 
Baptist church was erected in 1871, at a cost of $8,500, and is a handsome 
brick edifice. Thi- is the original Clary's Grove Baptist Church, already 
noticed as having been organized in the little log schoolhouse. in 1824. 
that time, it has bad fifteen pastors^ viz.: Revs. Joseph Cogsdall, Williamson, 
Trent..). II. Daniel, William Spencer, Tannehill, Evens, Theodore Sweet, 
Abraham Halo. .1. I,. Turner. Gouldsby, Winn. Gross, Jones and II. P. Curry. 
From this patriarchal Church have grown nine of the Baptist churches 
this county, beside- some located in the adjoining counties. Since its organi- 
zation, nearly fifty-five years ago. more than 2,000 members have been received 
into fellowship. There is qo regular pastor at present. A large and flourish- 
ing Sunday school is carried on, of which George W. Bell is the Superin- 
tendent. There i- no Masonic or < »dd Fellows' Lodge in Tallula, a circumstance 

that is rarely to be met with in a village of its size in Illinois. There is. how- 
i Lodge of the Knights of Honor. 
The first school taught in the village of Tallula was by Miss Sarah Brock- 
man, in 1859, in the district schoolhouse, which Stood JU8( without the Corp 
limits. Thi- may seem an Irish bull, but it was termed the village school, and 

patronized by children from the village. The German Reformed church 
afterward used for a schoolhouse. The brick school building erected in i v,i ^ 

; the finest in the county, and cost between $8,000 and $10,000, 

besides three acres of land, upon which it is located, and donated by Mr. 

•ie. The corps of teachers employed for the coming - follows: 

3. Montgomery, Principal, assisted by Mi-- Sallie A. Johnson, Miss Nellie 

Robertson ami Mise Marj D. Riley. The usual attendance at the school is 

about one hundred and fifty pupil.-. 

Tallula was incorporated as a village under the general law in l^Tl-Ti'. 
The iir.-t Board of Trustees were J. V. Wilson, R. II. Bean, J. T. Bush, 
J. F. Wathen and F. S. Thrapp, who organised for business by ele< 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 327 

R. H. Bean President of the Board. The present Board is J. Q. Spears, S. 
T. Carrico, G. Bullock, Dr. E. T. Metcalf and Frank Wilkinson, of which 
John Q x -S^ears is President ; C. T. Spears, Clerk ; J. F. Wilson. Treasurer, 
and_N7 L. Randall, Police Magistrate. The population is ahout eight hundred, 
and the business may be summarized as follows: Eight general stores, 
embracing dry goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, etc.. with the usual supply of 
blacksmith, wagon, shoe and harness shops. There is no saloon in the place, 
and has been but one since it was laid out as a town, and it was starved out, 
which speaks well for the high standard of its morals. 

The cemetery of the village is a beautiful and well cared-f'or burying- 
ground. It has been carefully laid out and incorporated, and has a fund of 
about $1,500, with which to keep it in order. Col. Judy is President of the 
Association, and F. S. Thrapp, Secretary and Treasurer. About one-fourth of 
the lots have been sold, and, when the remainder have been disposed of, it is 
intended to spend the proceeds in beautifying the grounds, by laying out w r alk>. 
planting trees and shrubbery and otherwise improving it. Nothing speak- 
more highly of a people than a loving care of their dead, and Tallula's pretty 
little cemetery bears many a token of affection to the loved and lost. 

The village of Rushaway, once a thriving business place, almost the equal of 
what Tallula now is, has rushed away among the things that were. It was 
laid out by J. T. Rush and William Workman some time in the fifties, but just 
what time is not now remembered.. The first store was kept by J. T. Rush and 
a man named Way. These two names, associated in business and combined 
together, gave the name of Rushawa}- to the village. F. S. Thrapp also had a 
store there. A post office was established, with Rush as Postmaster. When 
the railroad was built, it missed the town a few miles, and on the laying-out of 
Tallula, a portion of the place rushed to Tallula, and the remainder to Ashland. 
The post office was moved to Tallula. and its name changed to its new location. 
The proprietors of the railroad, it is said, would have run their road through 
the village, if they had received the proper encouragement, but the people of 
Rushaway, believing that:the road would be compelled to come that way, stood 
upon their dignity and eveft refused to give the right of way, save at the highest 
market value. As a consequence, the road was located elsewhere, and Rush- 
away was left out in the cold. The completion of the road sealed their doom, 
and, as already stated, a part of the business men removed to Ashland, and 
the others to Tallula. At present, there is nothing left to designate the spot. 
The original site of the town is a nourishing farm and orchard, and the passing 
strangers would be surprised to learn that the place was once a thri 
village. 



BISTORT OP MENARD OOUNTT 



A.THENS PRECINCT. 

The year immediately ding the admission of Qlinois Territory 

. in among the sisterhood i immigration commenced to flow Bteadily 

gamon conntry, :m<l daring the following half-decade quite a num- 
settlemenl Formed within the present limits of Menard 

Settlements, ootemporaneoua with those at Clary's Grove, which are recorded 
as the first made in the county, were begun in tl t precinct of Atl 

But ; osition and topography. It is situated in the extreme south- 

: ii portion of the county, and is bounded on the north by [ndian ('reck and 
r Grove Precincts, east and south '•_ I. gan d Sangamon Coun 
ctively, and west by the Sangamon River and Petersburg Precincts. In 
shape, it very closely resembles the capital letter L. being ten miles alonj 
northern boundary, by two and one-half <>n the east, and five and one-half on 
the west. The Burface is pretty nearly equally divided between woodland and 
prairie. Coi illy, the precinct is included in Townships IT and I s 

nort 1. 5 and 6 west of the Third Principal Meridian. The northern 

half of t ; n is far better adapted to purposes of tillage and | 

than the southern. The Boil is of the finest quality, and yields abundant har- 

of the various I sommonly cultivated in this latitude. Hands 

and costly private residences, Buch as are Been mostly in the suburb- of populous 

not infrequently met with in traveling through this part, and t 
along with the finely cultivated farms which they adorn, bespeak the bui 

which has attended those who were fortunate enough to secure a firm fo 
here in an early day. Nearly the entire Burface is sufficiently elevated and roll- 

iviate tie :y of artificial drainage. The timber area is con- 

fined to the western portion, along [ndian Creek and the Sangamon. The 

and middle fork of Fancy ('reck crosses the eastern portion, and an* 
draii a vast area of the prairie portion of the precinct, [ndian ( 

genera] western direction through the northwest part, and with 
importance on the west Bide, all tributary to the Sangamon, 
drain ually the woodland district. The Springfield & North-W< 

Railroad ii in a general northwestern direction. Saving taken this 

•what en tl the topography of I »n, we will next d 

our attention I 

i \i;i v -I I II KM 1 

\s was the unvarying custom, these were made in the edge of the timber. 

and m>t far distant from the water-COUrseS. And here, upon the very thresh- 
old of our in. i environed with difficultie late any 

rould be to assume a ri-k that 

I disposed to take upon OUr BhoulderB. \ number came in :i 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

nearly the same date, and the testimony is so evenly balanced in making i 
first, that we are rather inclined to think that that honor cannot, at this late 
date, with safety, be accorded to any single individual. Among the earli 
however, we may chronicle the arrival of Robert White and William B. Short. 
Both were from Green County, Ky., and settled in the northeastern part ofth< 
precinct, in Indian Point timber. They are said to have staked off their claim- 
and commenced their improvements in the fall of 181'.'. Short settled near the 
creek, while White laid his claim a short distance north and west of him. The 
claims first staked off they improved and afterward entered, and these they con- 
tinued to hold during their lifetime. Short died in 18b"3. and was buried at 
the old Lebanon Cemetery, near his place of residence. He was the "most 
married " man in the entire community, as he plighted his love at the nuptial 
altar no less than five times. White's decease occurred a few months ago, he 
having lived to a ripe old age. The old homesteads are owned and occupied by 
•lames C. Short and R. F. White, sons of the early pioneers. An elm tree, 
hearing the initials " W. B. S.," yet stands not far distant from the family 
residence, and marks the corner of the Short claim made in that early day. 
The same fall, or possibly in the early spring of 1820, Joseph Smith, who 
came from the southern part of Kentucky, made a claim on the south side of 
Indian Point timber. Smith was a wagon-builder by trade, and, as he had a 
shop at his residence in quite an early day. it was, beyond question, the first in 
the precinct. He improved the farm now owned by Alfred Turner. He died 
a number of years ago, and lies buried at Indian Point Cemetery. William 
Holland, a brother-in-law of Smith, came from Ohio and laid a claim, also on 
the south side of the creek. Holland was a blacksmith, and, like Smith, was 
the first mechanic of his kind in this entire section of the country. He was 
appointed by the Government blacksmith to the Kickapoo Indians in this sec- 
tion, and received for his services $500 per annum. Some years later, by 
order of the Government, he went to Peoria, or Fort Clark, as it then was, 
where he was similarly employed for some time. He finally moved to Wash- 
ington, in Tazewell County, where he died several years ago. Some of his 
descendants are still living in and around the city. Matthew Rogers, from 
Otsego County, N. Y., built a log cabin one mile north and east of the present 
village of Athens. This he did not occupy, however, until the spring of 1821. 
Four years later, the claim was surveyed, and as soon as it came into market. 
he entered quite a body of land. The closing years of his life were spent in 
the village of Athens, where he closed a long and well-spent life in 1847. 
Three of his children are yet residents of the precinct — Henry C, its oldest 
citizen. Mrs. Anisberry Rankin and Mrs. Harry Riggin. The life of Mr. 
Rogers was so prominently connected with the early settlement of this section, 
that he seems worthy of more than a passing notice. He is a descendant from 
the same stock with the celebrated John Rogers, who was burned at the stake, 
a martyr to his devotion to religious principles. He married Anna, daughter 



BISTORT Of MEN iKD OOUNTT. 

: 1 1 « . 1 1 1 \- and Miriam Lee Morse, through whom the family is connected with 
the late Professor S. I". B. Morse, the illustrious inventor of the electric 

It. While in New York. Matthew l; _■ ra occupied a prominent position 
in the community, and was a colonel of militia. The family emigrated to 
Illinois in 1818, but so tedious and Blow were the means of travel in those early 
earing home in September, they did nol reach Troy until the fol- 
lowing February- He huilt a frame barn in \^-~> or l v -! ( >. and this i- Baid to 
be the first frame building erected in I : north of the S River. 

He established the first nursery in the same limits, and k«- j > t the first posl office. 
In the fall of 1819, Thomas Primm came from St. Clair County, and laid a 
claim southeast of where Athens now stand-. After taking the preliminary 
. to secure hie claim, he returned to his family. He returned in 

iimmcr of l^-' 11 . and raised a crop, but did not bring his family until the 

fall following. < >n his first visit, he sold the animal on which he rodl 

ben England, in payment for which England was to build him a cabin and 
make a stipulated amount of rails. His cabin was built in L819, but was not 

ipied till the fall The family of John Primm, his brother, wa- 

ll en- in the slimmer of 1820. The advent of the Primm family to Illinois 
back to a very early day. John, the father of Thomas and John above men- 

ed, came from the < Md Dominion to St. Clair County in 1802. The date 

iming on their mother's side reaches even farther back. Mrs. Primm was 
a daughter of Abram Stallings, who came down the Ohio River from Virginia, 
and Bettled in the present bounds of St. Clair County in IT'."!. Their father, 
with his three brothers, William, James and Thomas, were soldiers in the Revo- 
iggle, and fought in Washington's command. Thomas Primm 
died at his home, near Atlien-. in May. L 856, at the age of seventy-four. Three 
of h in the precinct, viz.: William. Dr. Thomas L. and Abra- 

Daniel, Nmian, James and John died after arriving at manhood, each 
having acquired considerable property. The sons of John still living are 

ha, John and Enoch. The settlements now mentioned « eery Bret 

made in what i- now Athens Precinct. Orimal Clark laid a claim on tin 

the village of Athens as early as \^- n . He did nol remain long before he 
sold out to Rev. John Overstreet, and moved to fancy Creek, belo* Williams- 
ville. He finally moved to Springfield, where he died a number of years 
A number were added to the citizenship of the precinct during the year 1 - 
Martin Higgins, John Moore, a Mr. Terry, William Armstrong, James Ha 
and John Good, all came during the last-mentio Tom 

New fork, ami was a son-in-law of Matthew Rogers. He settled the faun on 

which William Primm now resides, and which, in an early day. he sold to his 

father. Thomas Primn H gins next located south of Indian Creek, and con- 
tinued to live there until the date of hi- decease. Moore and Terry "ere both 

from Vermont, ami settled at Indian Point. V - a cabinet-maker by 

trade, and had the first cabinet-shop in this section. Terry and hi- wife were 






ovU4 /yA£^yi^ 



TALLULA 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 333 

finely educated, and found themselves ill at ease among their less fortunate 
backwoods neighbors. Both sold to Martin Higgins, and moved to Springfield. 
Here Moore followed his trade for some years, and then located in Macomb, 
Schuyler County. The last that was seen of him in this section, he was trav- 
eling in the capacity of a colporteur for the Presbyterian Book Concern. 
Terry, after his removal to Springfield, engaged in clerking, and his wife in 
teaching school. A few years later, they again returned to their native State and 
never returned West subsequently. William Armstrong settled near Indian Creek, 
and in a few years sold to Eli Branson and moved to what is now Sandridge 
Precinct, near the present village of Oakford. A number of his family reside 
there at present. Pleasant Armstrong, a single brother, lived with him and 
was an early Justice of the Peace in this section. Haynes and Good were both 
Buckeyes. The former settled south of Indian Creek, and, after some years, 
sold to Martin Higgins and moved to Texas. Good settled further west on 
the prairie between Indian Creek and Oak Ridge timber. He sold to the 
father of Judge Tice, and, in company with Haynes, moved to Texas. The 
name of James Gardner, also, should appear among those of the settlers of 
1820. Gardner was from the Empire State, and laid a claim where the Widow 
Riggin now resides. His father, quite an aged man, lived with him. He 
remained but a few years, then sold to Harry Riggin and moved over into Ful- 
ton County. In 1821, Walter Turner made a claim on the south side of Indian 
Creek, which he improved and occupied until the date of his demise. His son 
Walter now occupies the old homestead. Harry Riggin also came the same year, 
purchased land and engaged in tilling the soil. His ancestry dales back to 
Ireland, and there bore the name of O'Regan. Soon after coming to America, 
having renounced Catholicism and espoused Protestantism, the family name was 
changed to Riggin, the form it has since borne. During his lifetime, he was 
often heard to express himself sorry that a change in the name should ever have 
been deemed necessary. He was an enterprising and useful citizen, and his 
name was many times prominently before the people. He was a member of 
the first Board of County Commissioners for Sangamon County, whose duty it 
was to locate the county seat. He was at different times a candidate for office, 
but was defeated, his competitors for popular favor being such men as Stephen 
F. Logan, Ninian Edwards and Abraham Lincoln — men who afterward achieved 
success in a wider field of fame. His long and public-spirited life closed in 
1*74. after he had attained to the ripe age of eighty-one years and six months. 
Elisha, Abner and James Hall, brothers, came from Ohio and settled in the 
vicinity of the present village of Athens as early as 1822. Some of their 
endants are still living in and around the village. Phillip Smith was a 
Buckeye, also, who made an improvement where Theophilus Turner now lives. 
Smith was a blacksmith b} r trade and followed his profession in connection with 
farming. William Johnson and James Williams were from Bath County, Ky.. 
and made settlements in 1823, north of Indian Creek. Johnson died in 1843. 



HISTORY OF MIA \i;i' COUNTY. 

II - wife, having reached the seventy-fourth mil a life's journey, i- 

living passing her few remaining years in the families of her children. 

I k-r son Jefferson no* owns the old homestead, and a naked spot in the yard, 
hut a few feet distant from his excellent farmhouse, marks tin- location from 
which but very recently tin- pioneer cabin of his father ami family has 
removed. William- located west of Johnson ami further down the creek. He 
i farmer ami tanner by trade. He reared a large family, ami amassed a 
lly amount of this world's goods. He died in 1837, and was buried on the 
farm which he improved ami which is now owned by Col. John William-, his 
Although CoL Williams ha- been a citizen of Athens Precinct <>n] 

the past thr< . em it apropos t" give a Bhort sketch of his life 

in this connection. At the time of his father's removal from Kentucky, he 
a lad of some sixteen or seventeen summer-, ami was . in clerking in a 

village store. Hi- employer was unwilling to release him. and, consequently, 
he did not pome until the year following, lie made the trip on horseback, 

bringing the sah-inoiiey of his father, ami. as the Currency at that time 

almost exclusively silver, to successfully conceal it ami bring it safely to it- des- 
tination was no -mall feat for a hoy of his age to accomplish. This, however, 
he did, after a long, tedious journey. John'- inclination- were for the life of 
a merchant and -oon after coming lie obtained a situation as clerk in Springfield, 
afterward became partner and finally proprietor. Ili< success fully attests the 
wisdom of his choice. He continued to make Springfield his home until about 
three years ago, when he erected his splendid mansion on his father's old h( 
i and brought his family from the city to enjoy the retreats of his q 
country home. In a business way. he is largely identified with the city of 
Springfield tO-day, and is one of the solid business men of the capital. To him 

more than to any other one individual is Menard County indebted for the 

cessful completion of the railroad which link- with iron hands her count} 
to the State capital. John II. Moore, fi < >iu Kentucky, was here SB ear! 
the fall of l s- j:'.. possibly a year earlier. Included among those who came prior 

330, we find the names of John Turner. William Stanley, Scott Rawlins, 
Jonathan Dunn, Asa Canterberry, John S. Alexander. William McDougal, 
Theophilue Bracken, Allen Turner. Amberry A. Rankin and Fleming Hall. 

They were mostly from Kentucky and Ohio, and settled near Indian ('reek ami 

in the vicinity of Athens. Fleming Hall had emigrated from Virginia to Mis- 
. ,11 L828, ami. in l^i!'. 1 . he came to Menard and pre-empted the land on 
which the village of Athens now stands. He remained two years apon his 
pre-emption claim, then entered it and sold it to Aimer Hall and a Mr. Catter- 
lin. Mr. Hall removed to his present place of residence, a short distance from 
the village, some forty-eight y< Here, in the family ol his son ESlihu, 

the father, having attained the age of eighty-five and the mother the more 
advanced age of ninety-one. are passing quietly their few remaining d 
When Mr. Hall and Benjamin and John Wiseman were laying off the school 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 33f> 

section into small lots for sale, Mr. Lincoln was their surveyor, and the tall, 
athletic form of the future President, passing silently through the deep ponds 
which the others were glad to avoid, is recollected as something edifying. 
Canterberry and Alexander were both from Kentucky, and settled in the south 
part of the precinct. Some of the descendants of Canterberry are still resi- 
dents of the neighborhood in which he settled. Scott Rawlins settled on the 
farm now owned by W. L. Ranking. He was a kind of horse doctor and horse 
jockey professional^, and withal was not very popular with his neighbors. 
Indeed, his sudden accumulation of large numbers of horses at different times,, 
warranted the suspicion that they were not always obtained by strictly legiti- 
mate means. His increasing unpopularity led him to dispose of his land in an 
early day. He moved to an island in the Illinois River, not far from Bath, 
where he died a number of years ago. McDougal and Bracken are both dead, 
but have a number of representatives yet living in the precinct. Amberry A. 
Rankin is still living, and having accumulated a fine competency, has retired from 
active business pursuits, and is quietly passing his declining years in the village 
of Athens. During the years 1830-31-32, but few were added to the settle- 
ments already made. The excitement incident upon the Black Hawk war had 
a tendency to check emigration for a time. In the spring of 1832, J. Kennedy 
Kincaid, then a young man, came from Bath County, Ky., and located in the 
neighborhood where he at present resides. He was a carpenter by trade, and 
found here a fine field for operating his mechanical genius. Landing at Beards- 
town, he walked from there to Springfield, in order to save his scanty means 
for the purchase of a kit of tools. By dint of industry, he soon secured means 
enough to enter a small piece of land, and this he improved and still owns. He 
was also one of the early pedagogues of this section. In the fall of 1833, his 
father, Andrew Kincaid, came through on horseback to visit his son and pros- 
pect the country. In the fall of 1834, he came with his family and settled 
where his son Thomas Kincaid now lives. After a long and useful career, he 
terminated his life in 1872, at the ripe age of eighty-seven. His wife lingered 
on the shores of time till March, 1879, when she followed that beckoning hand 
at the more advanced age of ninety-one. They left a large family of children,, 
and their sons are among the wealthy and influential farmers of the section in 
which they reside. James Rankin, also from Kentucky, settled in the vicinity 
in 1833. As early as 1840, further settlements were made by Jesse G. Hurt, 
David and James K. Hurt, Jesse Preston. Josiah Francis, Thomas Hargus, 
William Strawbridge, Charles Robinson, R. L. Wilson, Xeal and Archibald 
Johnson and others, doubtless, whose names have passed from memory. But 
time and space forbid that we shall particularize in regard to all these. Suffice 
it to say that they were all good citizens, and aided in the improvement and devel- 
opment of the country of which, at an early day, they became citizens. 



3:56 HISTORY OP MENARD OOUNTY 



I. \l;i.v TRIALS LND Ml 1 I 

The early pioneers found none of the conveniences by which they are to-day 
surrounded. Naughl but wild waste of country, fertile indeed, yet unsubdued. 
It was unbroken by the single habitation of civilised man, and was yet the hunt- 

ing-plai f" the red man of the forest Without roads and without brid 

and far removed from the public marts, the ineenth in the tilling 

of the soil were few. Yet Burrounded by the manifold annoyances which ever 
attend the early pioneer, in the love of that liberty which they earnestly desired 
to transmit to their children, and in the fond hope of one day possessing them- 
es of many of these broad, fertile acres, they erected their rude cabins and 
in their life-work. One thing which contributed largely to the Buccei 
the early Bettlers of this Bection was the inflexibility of purpose with which 
they Bet aboul making a home for themselves and their families. Though moBt 
of them were men of limited means, they were Dot <>f that class often found in 
the first settlement of a country, who. having made a Blight improvement, are 
ever ready and waiting for an offer to sell out and again move forward to the 
frontier. 

Then- are many here to-day, an abstract of whose title is couched simply in 
the patent from the Government to their father, and in the deed from father 
to son. Not a few hold their title direel from the Government, over the 
John Quincy Adams. The difficulties and inconveniences endured 
by these early Bettlers were Buch as would appall the heart of the stoutest of the 
sent generation. Their milling was obtained at points l 1 " 1 miles distant, 
and Bupplies for the family were obtained from a like distance. Mr. William 
Primm relates that his father used to go to mill at St. Louis, distant 120 miles. 
Mills, however, were established in quite an early day on Salt ''reek, and at 
points on the Sangamon. The history of the earliest mill in the precinct 
belongs in the history of the village of Athens and will be given in that connec- 
tion. 

The first post office, established north of the Sangamon, was at the house 
of Matthew R md was known as Rogers' Post Office. The exact date 

of its establishment cannot now be ascertained, but was probably not later than 
L826 27. The mail at that time was carried "ii horseback from Springfield 
to Lewistown by way of Rogers, Walker- Grove and Havana, and was known 

,i> the S] ii River Route. John Renfro was mail carrier on this route for i 

long time. At that date, four weeks were consumed in the transmission of a 
letter from New York to this point. The office continued to be kept at the 
house of Mr. Rogers until the laying-out of Athens, when the name was 
changed from Rogers to that of the rillage, and it was removed there. Henry 
c. Rogers, after attaining his majority, Bucceeded his father as Postmaster and 
held the position a Dumber of years. At this office, among others who received 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 337 

mail matter for quite a while was our late martyred President, Abraham Lincoln. 
He came to the office from Salem on horseback, when he did not make the 
trip on foot, which he often did. Mr. Rogers says, if he had been at that time 
commanded to shoct at a future President of America from among the number 
that frequented the office, he should have turned his gun upon many another 
before singling out the long, lank youth from Salem. 

The first school in the precinct was kept by J. A. Mendall, in a cabin near 
the residence of Henry C. Rogers. Mendall was an Eastern man, finely edu- 
cated and a successful teacher. The only drawback to his usefulness in the 
community was the fact that he was too fond of the flowing bowl, and often 
indulged in a spree to the annoyance of his patrons. The last account had of 
him here he had located in Peoria where he was engaged in the study of law. 
Henry C. Rogers was himself an early pedagogue in this section, and taught in 
the days when it was fashionable for the "Master " to "board around" and 
when scraps of old copy-books greased with lard were used for the admission of 
light. But these primitive temples of learning have long since passed away, 
and we find the precinct dotted over to-day* w r ith houses well adapted to the 
wants of the age, and more advanced and cultivated tastes of society. The cit- 
izens in and around Indian Creek, recognizing the need of a higher education 
for their children than could be obtained at the common schools, conceived 
the idea of establishing a school of a high grade in their midst. To this end, 
individual subscriptions to the amount of $3,000 were secured, and, in 1856, 
the North Sangamon Academy was erected. The building is a substantial brick, 
two stories high, and situated most eligibly in the edge of Indian Creek timber. 
Located as it is in a grove of native forest-trees and where there are 

" Books in t lie running brooks, sermons in stones, 
And good in everything." 

one would naturally infer that the enterprise would meet with merited success. 
Such, we are glad to state, has been its history so far. During the first 
years of its existence, it drew patronage from points a< far distant as Jackson- 
ville. A boarding-house was erected for the accommodation of foreign students, 
and for a number of years was well patronized. Prof. D. J. Strain was the 
first Principal and held the position nine years. The interests of the school 
have been in charge of Prof. W. B. Thompson for the past year, in wdiose hands 
its former good reputation has not been permitted to suffer. A neat cottage 
residence for the use of the Principal was erected a few years ago at a cost of 
some $1,400. The first merchant in the precinct was Harry Riggin, who 
opened a small stock of goods at his farm residence as early as L825— 26. This 
was a matter of great convenience, as, prior to its establishment, the nearest 
trading-point was Springfield. To that point and to Beards town the produce 
of the farmer was taken to market and the supplies for family consumption 
were obtained. But as year succeeded year in rapid flight, population incrca 
villages sprang into existence as if by magic, conveniences multiplied on every 



HI8T0RY OF MENAR1 M'V 

h.tinl and the trials and difficulties with which the early pioneer was wont to 
ie things of the \ 

CHI RCH] - "I ! UK PRECINCT. 

Religion was one of the - that claimed the attention of the 

early Bettlers of this Bection, and the firs ty formed was upon a 

voluntary meel the existing spiritual wants of the period. As early 

as h.' 11 . Ji seph Smith and wife, James Eaynes and wife and William Holland 
and wife organized themselves into a class of the Methodist order, under the 
leadership of Mr. Holland. This was the first religi ty formed in this 

■tiuM. and constituted the basisofthe firs! M. E. Church in the county. 

i after it> formation, Rev. James Simms, the first "circuit rider." took 
charge of this interest. The Cumberland Presbyterians were in the field in 
quite an early day. The first church building erected in the imits of 

Athens Precinct was the Lebanon C. I'. Church in the extreme north 
corner. The first was a log house, quite primitive in Btyle of architecture ami 
in its various appointments. This building was constructed near the eh 
l^-Jl or early in the beginning of L825. Having served it< day and 
tin n, it was removed out of tin- way and superseded by a commodious frame 
structure. This in turn gave place in 1866-67 to the present substantial brick 
building which occupies the spot to-day. Rev. John M. Berry, the great 
apostle of Cumberland Presbyterianism in Menard County, was the first min- 
ister and labored tor the cong o :> number of years. Revs. Thomas 
Campbell and Gilbert Dodds also preached here in an early day. Among the 
early communicants were the families of Robert White, William B. Short, 
Framis Rayburn, James Williams, Harry tiiggin ami Martin Higgins. The 
North Sangamon Presbyterian society was organized at Springfield in 1 : 
Among the first members of the organization were John Moore and family, 
Elijah Scott, John N. Moore, a Mr. Stillman ami .1. Kennedy Kim-aid. The 
members from Indian ('reck attended services for a time at Springfield. After 
the building of the frame house above alluded to, the society worshiped some 
with the < lumberlands. Finally, they erected ;i substantial brick building about 
two miles east of the old Lebanon Church, in which the Bociety has Bince held 

its ] itings. As ;i full ami complete history of the Church has been prepared 

for the general county history by Rev. William Crozier, the present Pastor, we 
deem it unnecessary to trace it in detail in this portion of the work. A Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church was organized at theresiden R -hard Fulker- 
-n. in the Bummer of 1867, by Rev. J. C. Van Patton, of Springfield. R. 
Pulkerson, James Estile ami William Price were chosen Elders, and A \ 
Fulkereon and John Woods, Deacons. A neat church building w ed in 
the fall of 1867 and has been regularly occupied since the society w 
i/.ed. 'The |. resent membership is about fit' K s was the 
ilar Pastor for the a n Rev. J Stephenson is laboring for 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 339 

the society at present. Not only have the citizens in and around Indian Point 
manifested an interest in whatever lias had a tendency to increase the happi- 
ness and welfare of the living, but in the provision made for the dead they have 
exhibited a spirit of enterprise not often met with in the country. Indian 
Point Cemetery, as a corporate body, was organized February L4, 1870. It 
incloses seven acres, beautifully situated for burial purposes. It occupies 
a commanding position overlooking Indian Creek and the surrounding 
country. It is tastefully laid in blocks, drives and avenues, and the lots are 
ornamented with various kinds of shrubbery. All moneys arising from the sale 
of cemetery squares or lots, by the terms of the organization, are kept in an 
endowment fund, the interest thereof to be expended in improving and ornament- 
ing the cemetery. The present value of this fund is not far from $3,000. The 
object of those engaged in organizing this cemetery has been to endow the 
corporation and not themselves, to provide and leave guarded a fund for its 
maintenance through all future time. Many of the early pioneers of this sec- 
tion have here found a last resting-place, and the chiseled marble shaft erected 
by surviving love to their memory attests the veneration in which they were held 
while living. The interests of the cemetery are intrusted to the hands of a 
board of directors, who are chosen at stated periods. 

Among the first to sit in judgment upon matters of litigation between their 
fellow-citizens were Matthew Rogers and John N. Moore. Henry C. Rogers, 
following in the footsteps of his father, has long held the office of Justice of the 
Peace. The first death of which we have been able to obtain any reliable 
information was that of Capt. Hathaway, which occurred in 1822. John Jen- 
nison and Martha McXabb were the first to plight their vows to each other 
before the hymeneal altar. The first birth has been lost in the mists of antiq- 
uity though it is an event that doubtless occurred. While the railroad interests 
of the county have been given in detail in the general county history, yet the 
prominent part taken by Col. John Williams, a citizen of this section, in the 
completion and operation of the Springfield and North- Western Railroad, by 
means of which he has placed the citizens of this precinct under lasting obli- 

ms to himself, renders it altogether proper that mention of it should again 
be made in connection with this part of the history. The original charter for 
the road leading from Springfield via Petersburg, Havana and Lewistown to 
K< ithsburg or Rock Island on the Mississippi, was granted in 1853. Sanga- 
mon County failed to vote her allotted amount of the stock, and this in con- 
nection with other untoward events so discouraged the company that the enter- 
prise was wholly abandoned. By special act of Legislature, the charter was 
revived in 1869, and late in the fall of 1ST", work was commenced at Havana. 
and vigorously pushed through Mason and a part of Menard. It was completed 
to Petersburg in 1872, and. in the fall of L873, reached Athens and ('antrall. 
\ the last named point (eight miles north of the capital) the panic struck the 
company, and further operations looking to the completion of the road ceased. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

In 1^7 1. Col. Williams, who had been Treasurer of the road since the rerival 
of its charter, by the use mainly of his own private means, completed the line 
to Springfield. It was operated under the management of contractors until 
l v 7~-. when it passed into the hands of G. V Black rer, and was 

controlled until 1 S 7 S . when it was sold and I'M in by Col. John Williams, who 
thus became President, and under whose efficient direction and management it 
is iii a flourishing condition, and operated with care. 

ATHENS \ [LLAG 

In that classic land which holds the most conspicuous place in the pag 
early history, a Land abounding in fine natural objects and picturesque scenery 

— alternate mountain peaks and ravines, hills and valleys, wooded headlands 

and shaded torrent streams, sal — 

Uhens, the i 

\n I eloquence, oatiTe t" hmoae wii- 

While, under the all-conquering hand of Rome, she -aw every tra< 
her political importance vanish, she rose to an empire scarcely less Battel 

to which Koine itself was compelled to bow, and .-he became to her conqu< 

the teacher and arbiter of taste, philosophy and science. It is notour pui 
to tract- the history of the far-famed city, hut of one of far more humble pre- 
tensions, and which, though bearing the same name, i- different in every other 

respect. The village of Athena is situated in the southeastern part of the 
couuty, and. next to extmct Salem and Petersburg, is the oldest town in 
Met, aid. The village site is an eligible one. the country adjacent being finely 

adapted to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. Woodland, comprisii 

line oak timber as can he found in any section of Illinois, adjoins the j 

and coal of a superior quality abounds in almost inexhaustible quantities, at a 
depth <d' less than one hundred feet beneath the Burface upon which the tov 
founded. It was surveyed and platted in 1831, by dan,' inty 

Surveyor, for Rev. John Overstreet. The original plat contained about 
acres, to which seme four additions have subsequently been made. Two 
cabins, on.- {bra residence, and the other for a blacksmith-shop, had he 

by Orimal Clark, who had laid a claim here a year or tWO previ0U8 to the lay- 
iit of the town, and from whom Overstreet purchased the original i"«ii- 
rite. A -mall band-mill, operated by horse-power, was also here at the da 
the laying-oul of the village. A.bouJ the year 1882 or l^;;. Col. Matthew 

rs became a citizen of the town, and made the first permanent impr 
ments, the large and commodious building now occupied by I.. Saizenstein 
store being one of the results of his enterprise. John Overstreet was the 
merchant of tin- village, having purchased tin" remnant 
which had been kept by Marry Riggin, at his farm residence; he made some 
additional purchases, and opened out a -mall stock, so 'he layii 

the village. Jonathan Dunn was the second merchant in the field, 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. : 'H 

remained in the mercantile business but a short time. In the latter part of 
1832, or the beginning of 1833, Harry Riggin and Amberry A. Rankin 
opened a store, and, after two years, sold their stock to Martin M. Morgan. 
During the vear, James D. Allen and Simeon Clark became merchants of the 
village as did Abner and Elisha Hall. In 1836, Sebastian Stone became a 
partner with Allen, and that firm remained in business a number of years. 
The early merchants received their goods from St. Louis, a distance of 120 
miles, by ox team, a master means of transportation at that day. The arrival 
of a new supply of goods for the merchants created almost as much excitement 
among the villagers as the pageantry of Barnum's own and only show on earth 
does in our cities at the present day. The bustle and hum that was seen and 
beard upon her streets at one time, betokened for her a bright and glorious 
future. But alas for hitman hopes and prophecies! The tidal wave of adver- 
sity set in hard against her in the spring of 1839. She entered the list for 
county seat honors, and, though she played her hand skillfully, Petersburg 
over-reached her and left her to weep over blasted hopes and blighted prospects. 
The failure to secure railroad communication with the outside world, until quite 
recently ; the establishment of the county seat at Petersburg, and the capital 
at Springfield all contributed to check the growth of Athens and to give to 
her. as early as 1841, the appearance of a finished town. But to return to 
her early history. As early as 1826, Elijah Estep had erected a small band- 
mill on the present site of Petersburg. Owing to the high rates charged for 
grinding, and the difficulty oftentimes experienced in reaching the mill, thi>~e 
living in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Athens, in the fall of 
182 ( J. joined in the purchase and removal of the mill to this point. After the 
mill was brought and put in running order, John Overstreet took charge of it. 
taking toll from each and every one using it, the same as if he had been the 
individual owner. He was to keep up the necessary repairs and superintend 
the " mammoth concern " for the term of four^years, at the expiration of which 
time the property, was to pass into his hands. Two classes of individual inter- 
ests were represented in the mill, viz., money-signers and work-signers. There 
were rules and regulations governing the rights of each, and so strictly were 
they observed that but few difficulties ever occurred. The moneyed aristocracy 
in those days, as well as at the present, belonged to the privileged class. If A 
had contributed S."> in work toward securing the mill, and B had contributed 
fifty cents in cash, it was B's privilege, whenever he came to the mill, though 
A might be using it at the time, to take full possession as soon as the hopper 
was empty, and grind out his grist. If, in the mean time, no other "money - 
Bigners came, A could resume operations, but not otherwise. It thus hap- 
pened that sometimes a work-signer would go early and remain all day, 
returning home at night without having had the privilege of cracking a grain 
of his grist. While this worked a hardship to many, yet none knew better 
how to observe both the spirit and letter of the law than did the early 



342 HI8T0RY OF MEN IRD COUN1 

pioneers. About the year L834, I i mnd a flat-boat load of flour on 

mill, and, in company with Jesse G. and David Hurt, took it to the 
N<w Orleans market. Some two or three months were consumed in manu- 
facturing the load, the bolting being done by hand. From that trip, Over- 
street and David Hurt nevei returned. Both were stricken with disease and 
died in the Crescent City. Jonathan Dunn built a ateam grist-mill ben 
.in early day, and, after operating it a year or two, sold out to Strawbridg 
Croft, who attached a distillery and ran the two conjointly for some time. 
This enterprise, however, has long since become a thing of the past. In I 
John Overs treet, a relative of the pioneer, and Alexander Hale, built a brick 
ii grist-mill, at a cost of -SI L, 000, and began operating it in 1857. It has 
a run of two buhrs and is capable of grinding fifteen bushels per hour. It is 
at present in successful operation. Charles P. Smith opened a blacksmith 
shop in L 832, and soon afterward Thomas Tabor and William Brown followed 
in this business. Smith was the first on the ground after the laying-out of the 
village. After a short resilience, he moved to Texas, and later. Btarted for the 
gold regions of California. Like many cithers, he failed to reach what he n<> 
doubt deemed the land of promise, and his bones woe left to bleach on the sandy 
plains with those of others of his unfortunate companions. A pottery 
established here in quite an early day by John Pierson, and for a time did <piite 
a paying business. Goble & Sackett and likewise Ramsey followed in a like 
enterprise at a later date Tradition informs us that a cotton-gin was 
operated here and. if so. it must have been not later than 1 S "J7-_' S . as this 

article of merchandise was not cultivated in this section subsequent to the win- 
ter of the •■ deep SnOW." 

CHUR< BBS, SCHOOLS, ETC. 

The Methodists were the pioneer organization of the village. Their 
of worship, erected in 1835, is still standing, though, from outward appear- 
ances, it is rather the worse for wear. The original organisation was effected 
by Rev. Asahel E2. Phelps, with seventy members. It has always held a lead- 
position in the religious element of the village. Rev. •'. W. ESckman is 
now completing hi- second year a- pastor. The Christian Church was built 
in 1851, ami is the only brick church building in the town. The congregation 
has never been large, ami ha- prospered indifferently well. Among the early 
ministers were Elders Robert Foster and John A. Powell. The church - 
present without a regular Pastor, though Elder Claiborne Hall often officiates 
in that capacity. The Free Methodists have recently erected a neat frame 
building, ami the congregation connected therewith, though small, i- in a 
flourishing condition. A Sunday school is held in connection with each of the 
churches. 

The first public school kept in the village was, probably, presided over by 

Rev. Carman (Mark, though some are inclined to award that honor to a M -. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 343 

Rowe. Jt was taught in a diminutive farm house which formerly stood on the 
site of Charles Salzenstein's store. A large frame school building was erected 
southeast of the present edifice, and served the double purpose of schoolhouse 
and church for a number of years. In 1873, a substantial and commodious 
brick building was constructed, at a cost of $7,000, which is an ornament to the 
village and a source of just pride to her citizens. James Steel was the first 
Principal, and Prof. Nye at present holds the reins of government. Among 
her early physicians were Drs. Winn, Abbott, Lee and Eatey. Of these, all 
but one are long since gone. Dr. Lee is yet in the precinct, and resides on his 
farm near Indian Creek. The medical fraternity is at present represented by 
Drs. T. J. Primm, E. D. Thomas and William F. Roberts. Each enjoys a 
reputation for skillfulness and proficiency in his profession. 

Floral Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 647, was organized under dispensation, 
November 16, 1877. A charter was issued from the Grand Lodge, bearing 
the signatures of John Lake, G. M., and N. C. Wason, G. S., in October, 1878. 
The charter members were C. C. Scott, T. B. Turner, Jacob Boyd, Louis Sal- 
zenstein, Charles Bair, W. C. Fisk and Julius Kerst. The first officers were : 
C. C. Scott, N. G. ; T. B. Turner, V. G. ; Jacob Boyd, Secretary, and Louis 
Salzenstein, Treasurer. The regular meetings of the Lodge are holden on 
Friday evening of each week, in a room in the school building. A new hall, 
26x60, will soon be erected. Present officers are: Jacob Boyd, N. G. ; John 
Ekberry, V. G. ; Henry Heilhower, Secretary, and Louis Salzenstein, Treas- 
urer. The present membership of the Lodge is twenty -five. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATED. 

At a meeting of the citizens held at the cabinet work-shop of James Mott, 
January 25, 1859, John M. Ward was chosen President, and Joel Hall, Clerk. 
The vote being canvassed, it appeared that thirty-one votes had been cast for. 
to eight against an act incorporating the village. February 8, the following 
Board of Trustees was chosen: Seneca Winters. Nathaniel F. Stone, Stephen 
England, Levi Gibbs and Robert C. Arnold. February 25, the Board organ- 
ized by electing Seneca Winters, President, and Joel Hall, Town Clerk. March 
7. the Board met and elected the following officers : John M. Ward, Town 
Attorney ; John Y. Freeman, Town Treasurer ; John F. Whitney, Constable ; 
Joseph W. Center, Street Commissioner. In its corporate capacity it did 
much in the way of improving the village. Since the building of the Spring- 
field & North-Western Railroad new life has been infused into the village, and 
her business has revived to a considerable extent. Some substantial improve- 
ments have been made in the past year or two, both in the erection of business 
houses and private residences. The ravages of the remorseless tooth of time 
however, plainly discoverable on many of her fast decaying buildings. Her 
business interests at present comprise four general stores, two drug -tores, one 
cabinet shop, one saddle and harness shop, two or three general wagon and 



34 » BI8T0R1 OF MENAR] M V 

repair shops. Quite an amount of grain and live Btock is also Bhipping from 
this point. The moral status of the place is not surpassed by any of her sister 
(owns. Such is the Athene of Menard to-day, venerable for her age, and l«»r 
the important part she played in affording conveniences to the early Bettlei 
this portion of the county. 

] kNCl PRAIRIE, 

;i village in embryo, is located m the northeast corner of the precinct, ai 
Burrounded by ;i beautiful belt of prairie bearing the Bame name. Ln the fall 
of l v,; 7. a neat little church was erected here by the Cumberland Presbyterian 
sty. In 1875, a genera] store was opened by B. Fulkerson. About the 
e date, T. Baker opened a blacksmith and wagon Bhop. The post office, 
Fancy Prairie, was established in 1875, with B. Fulkerson a< Postmas 

- A. B. Waters, who also operates the store. L. 
Shuck at present Bhapes iron for the villagers, and those living in the vicinity. 
These improvements, with Bome half-dozen private residences, make up the 

village, which is simply a point of interest to the neighborh 1 in which it is 

situated. 

GREENVIEW PRECINCT. 

snview, as a precinct, is one of the youngest in Menard County; 
Until some six or <'iL r ht years ;iL r ". it was included in what is now Sugar G 
Precinct, with the voting-place at the village <>t" Sweetwater. The lattei 
remote from the people in the extreme northern part, and the intelligent voter, 
from this little drawback, often neglected to exercise the right of franchise. 
Hence the result was a division of Sugar Grove, or Sweetwater, as it was then 
called, and the creation of a new precinct, now known oview. This 

precinct lies in the extreme northeast part of the county, and is bounded '>n 
rth by Mason County, or Salt Creek, on the west by [ndian Creek Pre 
cinct, "ii the south by Sugar Grove, and <>n the east by Logan County. U 

three-fourths of the precinct is the finest of prairie land, the timber b< 
confined to the creek bottom and to Bee Grove, Ash Grove and Irish Gi 
about hulf of the latter grove lying in Greenview. It is well drained by Salt. 

ek and its tributaries, of which Pike and Gre with other smaller 

branches and brooks, flow through it. carrying away the surfs 

cultural region, Greenview is not surpassed in the county, and it> fan 

thrifty and energetic in all the Burrounding community. 
The completion of the Jacksonville Division of the Chicago, Alton & Si I 
Railroad, which runs through the western par! of the pin ipped the cli- 

max of their prosperity, by placing the market lor all their surplus produ 
their very doors. The village of Greenview, the metropolis of this flourishing 
region, is an enterprising little village in the southwestern part of the pre- 
cinct mi the railroad mentioned above, and will be more fully described in 
another p 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 345 



THE EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Although the youngest precinct in Menard County, white people wrre 
within the present limits of Greenview as long ago as 1823. Fifty-six years 
stand between then and now. and. in that period, what changes have been 
wrought, not only in this spot but throughout the world. Ancient palaces, in 
whose spacious halls the mightiest rnonarchs proudly trod, show "the ivy 
clinging to their moldering walls." Thrones, tottering, have crumbled into 
dust; empires have fallen, and their place on the map been blotted out forever. 
In our own great country, the war of revolution has raged with a tornado- 
like fury, shaking the republic from its center to its circumference, and threat- 
ening for a time its total destruction. Four millions of human beings have 
been liberated from a worse than Egyptian bondage, and placed upon an 
equality with the enlightened citizens of the "greatest country upon which the 
sun ever shone," together with hundreds of other mighty events beyond our 
limited space to chronicle. And in these fifty-six years the territory of Green - 
view Precinct, one of the small particles that go to make up our great country, 
has. from a wilderness, been metamorphosed into a paradise as compared to it> 
original state. In the year above mentioned (1828), James Meadows settled 
in the present limits of Greenview on the place now owned by Mr. Marbold. 
He came from Ohio to the neighborhood of Alton in 1818, the year that 
Illinois was admitted into the sisterhood of States. The next year, he 
removed to what is now Sugar Grove Precinct, where he resided until 
1823, when he removed into this precinct as already stated. A son of 
this early pioneer, Alexander Meadows, now lives in the village of Green- 
view, and has an excellent recollection of early scenes and events. He 
came to Illinois sixty-one years ago, a mere boy ; now he is an old man, broken 
down in bodily health by a life of toil. The history of this family is more 
particularly given in Sugar Grove, where they first settled after coming to the 
county. The elder Meadows built a mill on the Marbold place, which was the 
second mill in the eastern part of Menard County, and is again alluded to in 
another page. Soon after the settlement of Meadows in this precinct, George 
Plane and his mother came here. Like Meadows, they first settled on the 
other side of Sugar Grove, but sold out there to Leonard Alkire in 1823. 
They are mentioned further in the history of Sugar Grove Precinct, where 
they first located. 

Most of the first batch of settlers in this precinct were Buckeyes, and Bet- 
tied in Irish Grove, a body of timber already mentioned in this chapter. 
From Ohio, the native State of the chief magistrate of the nation, the precinct 
received the following recruits, viz., Joseph Lucas. (Seorge Borders, John 
Martin, George and Peter Price, John Waldron and John Hamill. Lucas 
Bquatted down in the grove about 1825-26. He was a genuine frontiersman, 
and remained in this community no longer than game abounded. When that 



BISTORT OF MENARD 0OUNT1 

failed and the [ndiana left tin- country, he followed in the wake <>f the red men 
and died a few years later in the Mackinaw settlement. The next settlers 
found his cabin, with three acres of ground cleared around it and fenced. Ele 
had two sons, Peter and George, who settled in Logan County; the latto 
still living, but Peter died there some years ago. Abraham, another Bon, 
settled near his father in [rish Grove, where he died at an early day. Borders 
and Martin came m l s J7. The former died about 1872, on the place where 
be originally Bettled, and the family is nearly extinct One daughter was liv- 
ing in Logan County at the last account of her. and is the only Burv 
member of the Borders family, bo far as known Martin remained here a 

- and then moved to Logan County, when' he died. IIi< sun Samuel, liv- 
n the city of Lincoln, is the last survivor of this family, so far as the 
pioneers of this section know to the contrary. George Price came to the 
grove in 1826, and his brother, Peter Trice, in 1829. They were of the 
alar frontier type and followed the Indians and the game, as they meandered 
on toward the Betting sun. William Walker bought Peter Price's claim when 
be came to 'ho settlement in L830. Waldron settled here in 1827-28, and 
another frontiersman who folded his tent and moved away on the trail of 
Mi.- [ndians. John Bamill came aboat L842, and is still living in the settle- 
incut, a prosperous farmer. 

Following close upon the heels of this delegation of Buckeye-, come- an 

importation from the " dark and bloody ground." Prom Kentucky came 
William Walker, his son Joseph M. Walker, his brother-in law David Walker. 
William Stotts, William Patterson, Alexander Gilmer, William A. Stone. John 
W. Patterson and Robert Rayburn. The latter gentleman was horn in the 
< >ld Dominion, but emigrated to Kentucky when it was the hunting-ground of 
numerous tribe- of hostile savages. Prom Kentucky he came to [llinoie 
1827, and settled in Irish Grove, now in Greenview Precinct. II: seph 

H., came herewith him. and he is now an old man. Next to Alexander 
Meadows, he i- the oldest living resident of this precinct, and upon the 

old homestead where his father settled fifty-two j The elder Etayburn 

died m 1886, and Joseph is the only one of hi- family now living. II.- 
mother, the wife of Robert Rayburn, was a Logan, and of the family of 
I. .- lebrated in the Indian wars of Kentucky. She died in gi 

birth to twin boys — Foseph and David I.. Rayburn. Robert Rayburn i- • 

where mentioned as the pioneer Bchool teacher of this section ,,f the country. 

Walker came to Illinois in the fall of 1828, and stopped iii Morgan County, 
and. after spending three week- on borseback, in search of a cabin to shelter 
his family for the winter, and failing iii his endeavor, went back to Clarke ' 

Ind.. and wintered there. In the fall of 1829, he returned to the Rock Creek 
settlement in this county, where he Bpent a part of the winter in bis Wagon and 

about a month in a vacant cabin. In February, 1830, he came to this neigh- 
borhood, and. as already stated, boughl the claim of P He died hero 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. -'A7 

on the 29th of August, 1836, and his son, Joseph M. Walker, lives on the 
place where his father then -ettled. His residence stands upon the identical 
spot his father's cabin occupied. David Walker, a brother to the wife of Will- 
iam Walker, and who came to the settlement soon after the latter, bought the 
claim of Joseph Lucas, upon which he remained until 1837, when he removed 
to Iowa, where he died in 1876. Capt. William A. Stone was also born in 
Virginia, but taken to Kentucky by his parents when quite young, whence 
he emigrated to Illinois in 1830. His father, Moses Stone, came to the settle- 
ment at the same time, and was the head of a large family. Both he and his 
wife died the next year, leaving their twelve children, of whom William A., men- 
tioned above, was one, to battle with life alone. Five of the twelve children are 
still living, but none, except William A.,resideinthis precinct. John W. Patter- 
son came in 1830, and William Patterson about 1832. The latter gentleman 
bought the claim of John Martin upon his arrival in the neighborhood. He 
did not remain long, but sold out and removed to Iowa in 1837, and now lives 
in the city of Keokuk. John W. Patterson bought the claim of George Price, 
upon which he lived until his death, which took place about 1844. The farm 
upon which he originally settled is still owned by his family. Gilmer came in 
1833-34, and made a permanent settlement. He had been here, however, 
several years before, and married a Miss Walker, as noticed in another page, 
after which he returned to Kentucky, remaining until the date given above. 
He died upon the place of his settlement, as did all of the family, except one 
son, who is still living, and resides on the old homestead. Stotts came to the 
settlement in 1830, and removed to Iowa in 1840, where he was still living at 
the last account of him. William Eldridge came to the grove in 1840. He 
was from the chalky cliffs of old England, and is still living in the precinct. 

This comprises all of the early settlers of this precinct whose names we 
have been able to obtain. As Greenview contains but little timber-land, it was 
not settled until the virtues of the prairies were discovered, which was at a date 
so recent as scarcely to entitle the people to the name of " old settlers." And 
then, too, Irish Grove, where most of the first settlements were made, is partly 
in the present precinct of Sugar Grove, and the history of that portion of it 

is there given. 

THE HISTORY OF THE PAST. 

The winter of the "deep snow'' (1830-31) is an era of the past rhat is 
vividly remembered by the few survivors of that gloomy period. The snow 
began to fall about the middle of December, continued until nearly four feet 
deep on a level, and remained on the ground until the following March. Much 
of the game in the country starved to death, and' many people came near 
sharing the same fate. We were informed by Joseph Walker that, in his father's 
family, the -now caught them without meal or flour. They had laid in their 
winter's supply of meat, and this, with corn pounded into hominy, sustained 
them for six weeks. Their com was standing in the field in shocks, and every 



HISTORY OP MEN \i:i» OODMTT. 

•lav they would shovel away the Bnow to a shock of corn, in order to procure 
their supply of hominy and to feed their Limited amount of stock. The sudden 
freeze of l^'-'<~ is another even! that will be remembered by all who were of i 
suffii Buch an occurrence, h was in the month of November, 

and several inches ofsmra had already fallen. The weather had become rather 
warm, the snow was melting, and, aided by a drizzling rain, it was a perfect 
mass of Blush, when, without premonitions <>f its approach, a great "Manitoba 
wav< r the country, and apparently in the twinkling of an eye. the 

Blush congealed, and. in the language of the Song of Hiawatha : 

■ \- bard as stone became the wat« 
The Buffering was ereat. We have heard <>f no loss of human life in this 
ti< >n : but in other localities when- our duties have called us, people were 1 
fortunate. In this "cold snap" much stock perished from the sudden ch 
and the intensity of the cold. Another event of the past history of this part 
of the country, was the great hailstorm of 1851. It came in the month of 
May. and we were informed by one old settler that they had plenty of it to cool 
their mint-juleps on the 4th of duly. In its course, it left the trees with the 
appearance (in their nakedness) of midwinter, and all vegetation was literally 
beaten into the ground. It was destructive to Btock, whe its fury. 

and many animal-, hogs particularly, were killed outright. 

In further illustration- of past history, we will take a glance at the early 

mills of this section, dames Meadow- built a small grist-mill on his place 
re Marbold now Lives), which was the Becond or third mill in the eastern 
part of Menard County. This was in 1831, the year following the "deep 
-now. lie was a millwright by trade, and huilt this mill himself. It was 
of the old-fashioned tread-mill style, but was much better than pounding 
corn into meal in a mortar, as many an old settler can testify. It continued 
in active operation about eight years, when mill facilities were much impr 
by water-mills, ami this primitive affair became The mill at "Old 

Salem received most of the patronage from this Bection after it- erection, but 
even it had its inconveniences of low and high water, etc. Many people went 
to Springfield to mill after the erection of a -team mill at that place, and when 
a mill was l.uilt at Petersburg it brought accommodations to their d 

The _-ue and the Methodist circuit-rider -were in the field in an 

early day. R | Elayburn taught the first Bchool in lri-h Grove. He bad 
;• in Kentucky before coming to this Bection. It was a subscription sehool 
and taught in a little log cabin in the grove, before the buildii gular 

schoolhousee, or before the adoption of the present system of free sch 
Greenview Precinct ha- now -i\ Bchoolhousi - the elegant building in 

the villagi of these are comfortable frames, and the other two are brick. 

In these temples of Learning, Bchools are conducted for the usual period each 

year by competent tea. hers. No precinct in the OOUUty pays more attention to 

ition, nor ha- more extended educational facilities than Greenview. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY 351 

That old Methodist pioneer, Peter Cartwright, is supposed to have preached 
the first sermon in Irish Grove, at an early period of the settlement, probably 
as early as 1830. He used to preach at the cabin of Mr. Stone, not only 
before the building of churches, but also before there were any schoolhouses in 
the neighborhoods. Many stories and anecdotes are still told of the eccentric 
old preacher. The following, related to us a few days ago, is characteristic of 
the man : He was present at the dedication of a certain Methodist Church in 
the county, and preached one of his peculiar sermons. At the close of it, 
before taking up a collection (the church was not quite paid for), he said : 
" The people of the country are excited over the erection of a monument to 
Abe Lincoln at Springfield (it was about the time that move was on foot) and 
are contributing liberally of their means for its completion. This is all very 
well ; but, my friends, I am engaged in building a monument to the Lord Jesus 
Christ. This monument is the house in which we are assembled, and I want 
you to contribute enough to complete it." Revs. Hargus and McLemore were 
also Methodist itinerants, and were early in the field. 

Rev. John G. Burgin, of Springfield, organized the Old School Presby- 
terian Church in Irish Grove, about 1831-32, in a little log schoolhouse built 
about that time. The society thus organized is still in existence, and worships 
in the brick church located on Section 23, in the midst of which the early set- 
tlements were made. The present brick edifice was erected in 1865, and cost 
from $2,500 to $3,000. It has about one hundred members, and is under the 
pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Braden. The Church supports an excellent Sun- 
day school, of which Robert Gilmer, the last survivor of the Gilmer family, is 
Superintendent. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is on Section 24, 
about one and one-half miles from the church mentioned above, and was built 
about 1850, at a cost of $1,000 ar $1,200, and is a neat frame edifice. It was 
built at a time when labor and material were as cheap as they are now. Ten or 
twelve years later, it would have cost nearly twice as much. It has a large 
congregation, of which Rev. Mr. May is Pastor ; and a flourishing Sunday 
school is maintained during the summer season. Charles Reed is its present 
Superintendent. 

BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES. ETC. 

The first death in the settlement remembered with any degree of certainty 
was Mary Ann Walker, who died September 8, 1830. But there are supposed 
to have been deaths among the earlier pioneers prior to this date. A son of 
Mr. Lucaa died here very early, though the date of his death is not definitely 
known, but is thought to have been before that of Mr. Walker's daughter. 
.Moses Stone* and his wife, mentioned in the catalogue of early settlers, died in 
1831, within two weeks of each other. They left a family of twelve children, 
two of whom died soon after the parents, and two others died the next year. 
These burials were in Irish Grove Cemetery, a regularly laid-out burying ground 

Section 21. and where most of the pioneers of the grove, " sleep the sleep 



3f,2 BISTORT OP MENARU I OUNTS 

that knows do waking." The grounds have recently been enlarged, put in 
excellenl order and Trustee* appointed to care for them. 

The first birth in the neighhorh 1 was George Borders. }>ut the date could 

not be obtained. 

The first marriage on record was that of Alexander Gilmer and .Jane 
Walker, November4, L830. They were married 1. Mr. Burgin, and 

went to Kentucky immediately after their marriage, resided there Beveral years, 

and then returned to this settlement, where they spent the remainder of their 1 

Dr. Morgan, at "Old Sangamon Town," was the first physician who prac- 
ticed medicine in this Deighborhood. In those days, there was not a doctor's 
Bhingle swinging in the breese at every cross-roads and count! I the 

<it day. Nor did the hardy pioneers get sick so often or so easy as w< 

Q0W< They fought the malarial fevers with little aid from the medieal frater- 
nity, and, if they did Dot conquer, Buccumbed without the expense of doctor's 

hills. The fever and ague W8S looked upon ;( - a natural consequence, and 
received but little attention at their hands. The firsl Justice of the Peace 
John W. Patterson, but several years before his appointment to the office, there 
some of these dispensers of justice in that part of the Grove, now in 
,,- Grove Precinct. The Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad was completed through this section in lst>7. It had been running 

from Petersburg Bouth Beveral years before tins portion of it was finished. It 
, the precinct on Section 23, near the village of Greenview, and from 
thence m B direction almost.due north, passes out through Section 31, giving 
Ghreenvievi about five miles of road. It has proved quite trainable to the com- 
munity as a highway of travel, and a means of transportation of their "exports 
and imports.' 

Politically, Greenview Precinct is Republican, usually giving a small Repub- 
lican majority. In the late war. it did its whole duty, turning out a large number 
ofsoldiers. An entire company was raised in ErishGrovt urly period of 

the war, hut, hv seme means, was credited t<> Logan County. By failing 
tredil ^>y recruits in this manner, the precinct had to stand a draft, as ■ 

re-ult of it- UOgligence. The draft, however. WAS .-mall. BS most of the qu 

Idled in advance Samuel I Mane enlisted as a private, and rose to the 

rank of Captain in Company K. of the One Hundred and Sixth Regimenl of 
Illinois [nfantry. Owing to ill health, he wai rn, and G. S. 

Gritman was proi Captain in his pis th of these were from Irish 

Grove, in this precinct, and, so far as we could learn, were the only com- 
- oned officers it claims. The private Boldiers were of the sturdy sons of 
the soil, who gallantly sustained the reputation of Illinois' Boldiers on many 

hard-fought fields. 

vii. i \vn:w . 

This little village is eligibly located in the midst iA" a fertile and productive 

< . \lt"n & St. Loins Railroad, about eight miles from 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 353 

Petersburg. It is on Section 23, of Town 19 north, Range 6 west of the 
Third Principal Meridian, according to Government survey, and was laid out 
October 2, 1857, by William Engle, elsewhere mentioned as one of the pioneers 
of the county. The land upon which the village stands was originally owned 
by Charles L. Montgomery. The name of Greenview was given in honor of 
William G. Greene, a prominent citizen of Menard County, residing in the pre- 
cinct of Tallula. The first dwelling-house erected in the village was put up by 
Robert McReynolds, soon after it was laid out, and very soon after this, James 
Stone erected a dwelling. The first brick house was built by John Wilkinson, 
and is now used as a hotel. One of the first business houses of importance 
was built by McReynolds, and afterward occupied by him as a store. There is 
some question at the present day as to whether McReynolds was the first 
merchant in the place, or whether Emanuel Meyer & Bro. deserve the honor. 
These were, probably, the two first stores in the village. Silas Beekman had a 
store here the fall the railroad was completed through the town. The first 
tavern was kept by John Wilkinson, and is still in existence (in the brick house 
mentioned above), but is now conducted by the widow of Mr. Wilkinson and 
their son. It is an excellent hotel for a village of the size of Greenview. The 
first blacksmith was Jacob Propst, who opened a shop soon after the laying-out 
of the village. The first physicians were Drs. Davis and Calloway. At 
present, the practitioners of the place are Drs. S. T. Hurst and W. A. Mudd. 
A mill was built some years ago (the exact date we could not obtain), by 
McCormick Brothers. In January of the present year, it was burned to the 
ground. It was a frame building, two stories high, with two run of buhrs 
originally, but a third run was added at a later day, and the entire structure 
was erected at a cost of about $10,000. It has not been rebuilt, which leaves 
quite a large scope of country between Petersburg and Mason City without a 
mill. Harvey Yeaman was the first man who handled grain at this point. He 
built a part of the present grain elevator, and then sold out to Morse & Co., 
who raised the elevator and built another story under it. This seems to have 
been on the principle of the Irishman's mode of building a chimney, viz. : 
"Laying down a brick and putting some others under it." AVhile it is quite 
common to build another story on a. house, it is rarely we hear of one having a 
story built under it. They also added cribs, machinery and all modern 
improvements. It is now owned by Potrie \ Co., who are the only grain- 
buyers in the village. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Greenview in the *all of 
1858. This Church was originally formed at New Market, but, upon the lay- 
ing-out of the village, was moved, or rather re-organized within the corporation, 
and the church building erected the same year. It is a frame edifice and cost 
about $3,000. The present minister in charge is Rev. S. H. Martin, with an 
active membership of about twenty-five persons. Its members have been 
greatly reduced in number by death and removals. About thirty-five children 



HI8T0RY OF WEN \Ul> COUNTY. 

irl v attend the Sunday school, under the superintendence of Hugh 
er. 

The Cumberland I ian Church was organized in the village in 1 

<>r rather, was moved from the Knowles' Schoolhouae in Indian Creek, and was 
originally organized in thi Etinct Tillage of New Market. The society 

i church edifice in Greenview in the year nan e, which 

about (1,200, and is a substantial frame building. The first Trustees were 
Thomas Stone, Alien rlnowles, Roberl McReynolds and Luther Jenison. The 
rogation at present numbers about one hundred members, but has been 
much larger. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained. For the early bis- 
»f this venerable Church, our readers are referred to Indian Creek Pre- 
cinct. 

The Baptist Church was built in l s t» s . and is occupied jointly by the 
and Christians, the latter denomination having no sanctuary of their own. 
The building cost about (2,000 and is a substantial frame. The Baptists have 
regular pastor at present and their membership is rather .-mall. The 
christian- organized their -ocictv in the tall of 1869, and have a membership 
:it present of about sixty, under the ministerial charge of Elder 1>. T. Bughes. 
A union Sunday school of the Baptist and Christian denominations is car- 
ried on, under the superintendence of M. M. Engle, with a regular attendance 
it forty children. 
The Catholics have an organized Church society, which meet- for worship 
I, Hatch's Hall, and has been ministered to by Father Saner, of Petersbug. 
But, as he has very recently resigned the charge at the latter place, the society 

IS Without a minister until other provisions are made for their spiritual 
welfare. 

No. 653, A. !•'. & A. M , was organized under dis] 
May 1-. 1870, and chartered at the following session of the Grand Lodge. 
The charter members were F. B. Wilson, W. 11. Crites, 11. K. Rule, Charles 
rberry, W. S. Morse, J. A. Rule, Aimer Engle, Jacob Propst, Jr., Fred 
Wilkinson, M.S. Eby, William Houston, l>. A. Petrie, Roberl Hornback, Jacob 
Million. John Johnson, F. A. Craig, C. R. Tierce. II B. Godby, A 11. Whit- 
Mel Hoses Dockum, of whom the following were the fir 
1". E. Wilson, Master; William II. ('nte.-. Senior Warden; II. K. Rule, 
Junior Warden ; Charles Atterberry, Treasurer ; W. S. M - John 

\. I; i : F. \ Funior Deacon, and Jacob Propst, Tiler. 

The present officers are: W. II. Williamson, Master; II. K. Rule, Senior 
Warden; Edward Johnson, Junior Warden: Alexander Montgomery, Tr< 
urer; B. D. Tayl : ary; D. A. Petrie, Senior Deacon ; Samuel l>' . 
.luii 'i. and Thomas Robinson, Tiler. The roll contains the nam< 

thirl mbers, but has greatly decreased by removal-. time the 

ze numbered over sixty members. Thecal) is an elegant country 

. and is handsomely furnished, hut the building >t belong to the 



1IISTOKV OF MENARD COUNTY. 

fraternity. The Odd Fellows had a Lodge hero at one time, but from some 
cause it has ceased to exist. 

There was no school taught in the village until after the completion of the 
new schoolhouse in September. 1870. The following winter. Prof. Harris 
taught a school in the new building. Previous to the erection of this building, 
the children of the village patronized the district schoolhouse which stood just 
outside of the corporate limits. There was, we believe, a private or subscrip- 
tion school taught in the village, in a vacant building somewhere, before the 
new building was erected, but of it we could learn nothing definite. The 
elegant brick schoolhouse which adorns the village was completed, as we have 
said, in 1870, and cost about $10,000. It is one of the finest school edifices 
in the county. The corps of teachers for the coming year is as follows, viz. : 
Prof. W. II. Williamson, Principal (his third year in that position); Miss 
Fuller, Intermediate Department, and Miss II. A. May field, Primary Depart- 
ment. The average attendance during the school year is not far short of one 
hundred and twenty pupils. 

Greenview was incorporated as a village, under special act of the Legisla- 
ture, and its charter dated 6th of May, 1869. The first Board of Trustees 
were C. R. Pierce, G. W. Hatch, John Anderson, Fred Wilkerson and A. II. 
Bogardus. This was the Board upon organization under the charter, but as 
far back as March, 1868, the records show regular proceedings of a Board of 
Trustees, which were as follows : C. R. Pierce, J. W. Guyer, John Anderson, 
Fred Wilkerson and A. H. Bogardus, and were sworn in by H. H. Marbold. 
Of the first Board under the charter, C. R. Pierce was President and W. S. 
Morse, Clerk. On the 7th of March, 1877, it was re-incorporated under the 
general law of the State. The following is the present Board of Trustees : T. 
C. Pond, J. D. Alkire, James A. Bracken, J. L. Knoles, P. J. Palmquest and 
M. M. Engle. T. C. Pond is President of the Board; A. P. Blane, Clerk: 
A. A. Fickes, Police Magistrate: II. K. Rule, Treasurer, and George W. 
Chamberlain, Town Marshal. 

It may be an object of interest to some of our readers to know that A. H. 
Bogardus, the champion shot, was once a resident of this little village. For a 
number of years, this was his home, and, as he moved about among the quiet 
citizens of the place, they appeared wholly ignorant of the fact that their town 
contained "more than Caesar and his fortunes." For several years past, news- 
paper writers have made the world familiar with "Captain" Bogardu<. 

The village of Greenview is a flourishing place, containing some 500 or 
600 inhabitants, and. considering its proximity to Petersburg on one side and 
Mason City on the other, enjoys quite a large trade. Its business is about as 
follows : Two dry-goods stores with groceries added, one store of groceries 
exclusively, one drug store, one store of hardware and stoves, two blacksmith 
and wagon shops, one harness shop, one shoe shop, two saloons, two carpenter 
shops, one undertaker, one livery stable, one jeweler, one bank, two lumber 



356 BI8T0B1 OP MEN LBD 0OUNT1 

Is, two physicians, one hotel, one butcher Bhop and one grain elevator. 
Marbold, Alkire <v Co., carry on the banking business in all it- details. A 
very handsome public square has been Bel apart in the center of the village and 
inclosed with ■ substantial fence. It is well set in treef and it is 

intended, we learn, to lay it out in walk-, plant shrubbery and arrange rustic 

Winn tin- i- done, it will be a Bpol of which the citizen- of Grreenview 
may well feel proud. 

iture in the history of the Tillage is the fact that it has no 
• tery. It- dead are taken mostly to Petersburg for burial. There are also 
pal burying-gronnda in the immediate vicinity, where repose many of the 

early dead, and these Cemeteries receive additions, now and then, from the vil- 
li' 1. most of its dead are taken to the cemetery at Petersburg. 
But the village, in our mind, should have a cemetery of its own. Such a place, 
kept as it Bhould be, add- much to the interest of a town. 

■■A prophet is without honor in his own country," has grown into a common 
Baying, and often hoar- upon its face more truth than poetry. In proof of this. 
the little village of Greenview contain- a genius, of whose existence it- citizens 
seem almost whollj ignorant. We allude to the eminent lecturer. Mi-- [lighter. 
She is a lady of commanding intellect, a lecturer of considerable note, and has 
a reputation in the lectme-lield that is rapidly increasing. A graduate in the 

nee of phrenology, she used to devote much time to the subject, but recently, 

we learn, ha- laid it aside, and is now giving her time and talents to the sub- 
jects of metaphysics and of temperance. She is well known in many portions 
diana and [owa as a pleasing and fluent speaker. A feeling of 
pride in home talent should prompt the people of Menard County to highly 

cherish this gifted woman. 



SUGAB GROVE PRECINCT. 

If the garden of Eden was m>t in Sugar Grove Precinct, then we are 
inclined to believe thai there was some mistake as to the place of its location. 
So must have thought the early comers to this land of " corn and wine and 

oil," as they beheld 

I irili '- unnumbered Bo 

All !uniiii£ up their gentle 8J n . 

■ birds, witii l.rijjlit wings glancing in 'lit- sun. 
Pilling the air with rainbow miniatui 

.md combining to restore, in all its Ibveliness, "lost Eden's faded glory." No finer 
»n of country Bhould mortal crave than is embodied in this division of Menard 

County. Bine rolling prairie, rich in soil, with here and there a grove of timber, 
red over the broad plains like -> the islands that slumber in the ocean," is 

no untrue description of Sugar Grove Precinct, and, but for the absence of the 
••apple- and fig>leave8," might have been mistaken fbi garden 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY 357 

The hand of civilization has been laid upon it to improve, and not to destroy, 
its virgin beauty. It has but improved under the sway of man, as the pro- 
ductive fields and handsome residences abundantly show. The wild prairie 
grass and the myriads of wild flowers have given place to the corn and wheat, and 
to the shrubbery, and cultivated flowers of men (or women, rather), and the 
orchards of luscious fruits are to be found on nearly every plantation. And so 
on, ad finem. 

Sugar Grove Precinct lies in the eastern part of Menard County, south of 
Greenview Precinct, east of Indian Creek, north of Athens and west of Logan 
County. By Government Survey, it is located in Townships 18 and 19 north, 
and Ranges 4, 5 and 6 west of the Third Principal Meridian, and contains 
about thirty-five sections of land. Some three-fourths or perhaps four-fifths is 
prairie land, sufficiently rolling to need little artificial draining. The timber is 
principally in what is known as Sugar Grove and Irish Grove; the latter grove 
being about half in this precinct and the other half in Greenview. Sugar Grove 
Creek is the only water-ctmrse and is but a small stream the greater part of the 
year ; but several fine springs are found here, which is a rare occurrence in this 
portion of Illinois. The name Sugar Grove is obtained from the little body of 
timber in the northwest part of the precinct, and in which the sugar-maple 
predominates. Formerly, Greenview was. included in this precinct, and was 
called Sweetwater, after the little village by that name, but, being large in extent, 
a division was made about 1871-72 and Greenview created into a separate pre- 
cinct. The name of this one was then changed to Sugar Grove. No railroads 
mar its soil, but the Chicago, Alton k St. Louis Railroad comes so near its 
borders that it serves all the purposes of its people almost as well as if it ran 
through the center of the precinct. The village of Sweetwater is a small place 
in the edge of Sugar Grove timber, and is scarcely large enough to entitle it 
to the name of village. • 

THE SETTLEMENT. 

One of the first settlements in Menard County was made in what is now 
Sugar Grove Precinct. In 1819, the same year that the Clarys settled in 
Clary's Grove, James Meadows settled on the eastern side of Sugar Grove tim- 
ber on the place owned by J. Alkire. He came from Ohio, and located first 
in the vicinity of Alton, in 1818, and the next season came to this place. He 
remained here until 1823, when he sold out to Leonard Alkire, and removed 
to the west side of the grove, where he lived until a few years before his death, 
which occurred in the village of Greenview in 1869. This last settlement was 
on the place now owned by II. II. Marbold. a banker of Greenview, and one 
of the prominent men of the neighborhood. Mr. Meadows was a millwright, 
and built a mill on this place, which accommodated the neighbors for a period of 
about eight years. It was of the tread-wheel pattern, and is more particularly 
mentioned in the history of Greenview. There are but two representatives of 
the Meadows family now living, viz., Alexander Meadows, living in the village of 



HI8T0B1 01 MENARD COUNTY. 

aview, and Mrs. 0. P. Bracken. I came with Meadows, and 

thrir lir-t night in this region they encamped at a spring on the present farm of 
M ::i Alkire, - tery. The next morning, \ ruck 

with the beauty of the surroundings, and the abundance of pure water affoi 
by the spring, Mr. Boyer remarked, "this is my future home," and | 
at <■! ike off his claim. Meadows >n to the place as notic 

(the Jack Alkire place), where he, too, located at a 6ne Bpring. Boyer 
sold 'nit to Leonard Alkire, upon his removal to the country in l^J-".. A 

■ and Boyer,' the Blanea came I 
four brothers, vi/... Robert, William, John and I 
their mother and They were from the u Gim « » t" the and, 

being the first [irishmen in thi rhood, [rish G i part <>f which is 

in this precinct, received its name from them. William died in an early day : 
John soon returned to Ireland, and remained there some twenty-fiv 

came hark to t his set tlemeiit . He raised quite a large fam.lv. most of wl 

are -till living in the county. Robert and the sister removed to W 

leaving ( ' her on the place of their original settlement. 

place they sold to Leonard Alkire. m L823, and moved to the op] le of 

the grove, in what is now Greenview Precinct, where they both finally died. 
The Blanes were well educated, and in the early time, held many ol 

of trust and honor. He was an old-Line Whig, and afterward Republican in 
politics. In 1820, Roland Grant came to Sugar i I tnd brought with him 

a number of Bheep, the first of these animals introduced in this section of 
Illinois. He was from Ohio here, hut originally from Kentucky, and when the 
AJkireS came a few year- later, sold out to them and removed to [aland Gl 

m Sangamon County. William Grant, a brother, came with him, and also sold 

his claim to Alkire. and moved away with his brother. 

\- in the different settlements of Menard County, many of the pionee 

were from Virginia and Kentucky. The following Kentuckians 

came here among the early settlers : Leonard Alkire and family*. William En 

lei Offille, the Hugheses, vVestley Whipp, Samuel McNabb, the Pente 
John and G( _ ; me, a man named Parsons, Matthew Bracken, William 

Douglas, and perhaps a number of other.-. The Alkires and Gngles came from 

Ohio here, hut were from Kentucky to the Buck* - . and originially from 

nia to Kentucky. William ESngle came in the sjni n^r of 1823, rais 
crop and then went hack to < )hio. and brought out the family of Leonard Alkire. 

Mr. ESngle was a bachelor at this time, but soon after the arrival oftheAlk 
he married the daughter of Leonard Alkire. He was a prominent and leading 
man iii the community for a period of nearly fifty years: he died in March, 
1 B70. I le took an active part m organizing the county of Menard, w.i- one of the 
first County Commissioners, represented the county in the Legislature, and 
the first merchant in the territory now embraced in Su 
and Indian ( 're. k. \\ as liberal in his view.-, an ardent supporter of < Ihristianity, 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 359 

and :i zealous advocate of education. As stated, he married a daughter of 
Leonard Alkire, and their first winter was passed in a small cabin near the vil- 
He then built a cabin where hisson, John Engle, now lives. His widow, 
is still living on the same place and is an active old lady for her years. The 
mother of William Engle (a widow at the time), came to the settlement about 
ten years after her son. She was a genuine pioneer lady, large and stout almost 
as a man. kind and benevolent to all. and a great nurse and friend in 
sickness. William Engle has eight children still living; one daughter in Lin- 
coln, a son in Decatur and the remainder of the family (including his widow) 
in this county. 

Leonard Alkire, as already stated, was a native Virginian, hut emigrated 
to Kentucky, or was taken there by his parents, more properly speaking, when 
very young. Arriving at man's estate, and taking to himself a wife, he removed 
to Ohio, where he resided until his removal to Illinois, in 1823. While a resi- 
dent of Ohio, he followed, to some extent, the buying-up of cattle and driving 
them to Eastern markets : a business at that day exposed to considerable 
danger. On one of his trips home, after having disposed of his drove, he 
traveled on horseback at the rate of eighty miles a day. carrying the cash, 
mostly in silver, received for his cattle, in his saddle-bags. " In swimming the 
Ohio River,'' says a local writer, " perched upon his hands and feet on the top 
of his saddle, his sturdy and fleet roadster stemming the rapid current, with 
great power and speed, when nearing the opposite shore, suddenly went down : 
but with a terrible struggle for life finally succeeded in landing his precious 
freight on terra firma, when Mr. Alkire made the discovery that his saddle- 
bags (tilled with silver) had drifted back by force of the current, remained 
suspended by the stirrups, the whole weight resting on the hocks of the noble 
animal and cramping his movements, thus jeopardizing his life as well as the 
life and hard-earned treasure of his master." Hearing trequent stories of the 
beauty and richness of the "Far West," as Illinois was then, he made a trip of 
inspection to this country. Alone and on horseback, he explored this then 
almost unbroken wilderness. His route led him to Sugar Grove. Entering 
it upon the south side, ami upon obtaining a favorable view of the surrounding 
country, he stopped his horse and "viewed the landscape o'er." When fully 
comprehending the scene, he shouted out at the top of his voice, " Hurrah for 
old Kentuck, the garden spot of the world !" He soon came upon the cabin 
of James Meadows, already referred to, and being highly pleased with the sur- 
rounding country, he finally struck a bargain with Mr. Meadows, buying his 
claim. He returned home, sold his farm in Ohio, and the following year 
removed to Illinois, locating in this precinct, where the remainder of his life 
was spent. John Alkire, his father, came a few years later. lie had removed 
from Virginia to Kentucky in an early day, during the bloody wars then with 
the Indians, which gave rise to the appellation the State still bears, that of the 
"Dark and Bloodv Ground," and. like all the other pioneers of the time, he 



360 Hisi'iiKV OF MENARD 0OUNTY. 

bore ;in active part in those wars. He died here, and was buried in what is 

called the Diane Graveyard. I oard Alkire built the first brick house in the 

then county of Sangamon oo* Menard) in 1828, just fifty-oi ago. It 

ill Btanding, though a more elegant and modern brick has been reared 
upon the farm where thi< original brick house was erected. Three daughters 
and -'ill living in this county, a son in Denver and one in Missouri. 

To bis -"ii Milem Alkire. we are indebted for much of theearly history of this 
precinct, as well a< to John Bngle and Jesse England. Without their aid, and 

that of Alexander .Meadows, our history of Sugar Grove, the early ]>art of it 

at least, would have been rather meager. William Alkire. of Greenview, 

brother to Leonard, and is also an old settler of this section. Leonard Alkire 

died in l v T7. The following will show the energy and public spirit of the 
man: A.bou 0, he was appointed Road Supervisor of his district, by 

the Sangamon County Commissioners, which was then larger than Menard 
County at the present day. and ordered to open a public road from near the 
mouth of Salt Creek to Havana, on the Illinois River. A serious difficulty to 

travel at the time Was the Crane Creek Swamp. He calle I BT all the 

able-bodied men. and proceeded to the place with wagon, tools, provision-, etc., 

and Bet to work making rails in the forest and hauling them to the Bwamp. 
Then he would cut down a large quantity of the swamp grass, which grew in 
I abundance and luxuriance. With this he would spread a thick bed on 
which to lav the rails. After laying down the rails he would place long poles 
the ends of them, which would be secured by driving forked limb- astride 
of them, to prevent the water from Boating them off. Then puton more g 

covering it finally with two or three inches of -and. He thus built a road 

the swamp, which lasted many years without repair. 

Lemuel ( Mlille and the HugheSCS came among the early settlers and about the 

same time. James Hughes was a Christian preacher, and one of the first of that 

Mimatioti in this part of the country. A son. Daniel T. Hughe-, now living 

in the village of Greenview, is also a Christian preacher. James Hughes' family 
moved into Greenview in 1839, he having di d years previously. Hugh 

D. Hughe-, his -on. was one of the first residents ofHhe village of Sweetwater, 

and -me of the builders of the mill at that place, IS noticed in the history of 
the village. Offille and the HugheSCS came to this Settlement from Indiana, but, 

bated, were originally from Kentucky. One of Offille's daughters married 
Hugh I>. Hughes. Offille died some year- ago, and none of his family, we 

believe, are here te>\\ . Westley Whipp came about the time of the " deep snow.' 

He married a daughter of Leonard Alkire. and died several years ago, and is 

buried ii letery. Two sons are living in Petersburg. Samuel 

McNabb was a brother-in-law of John Jenisou and came previous to 1824, and 

ha- been dead some time. Pentecost ami his BOOS, William, John an 

came in 1824 25. The old gentleman's first name is not remembered; allot' them 

gone from the neighborhood. John Stone came about the "deep snow," 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNT V. 361 

and had several sons, viz., William, James, Stephen, Henry, Boyd and Oliver. 
James lives in Greenview Precinct, the others in Sugar Grove. Henry lives on 
the old homestead with his father, who is still living. George Stone, a brother 
to John Stone, was an early settler, but is long since dead. A man named 
Parsons was a brother-in-law to the Stones, and came to the country about the 
s ame time. He had two sons, William and Joseph, the former of which is dead, 
as well as the old gentleman, but Joseph is living, and is the mail-carrier between 
Greenview and Sweetwater. William Douglas was here as early as 1831-32, 
and settled in Irish Grove, and is still living. Matthew Bracken came in 
1824-25, afterward sold out to Nicholas Propst, and removed to Woodford 
County, where, he died. A man named McKinney ranks among the old settlers, 
but there could be very little learned in regard to him. He, with several 
others, had been to a horse-race, one day, and on their way home got up a 
little race of their own, when McKinney was thrown from his horse and injured 
to such an extent that he died from the effects soon after. 

Enoch B. Smith came to the settlement in Irish Grove in 1821, and Josiah 
B. Smith, a nephew, came in 1824. The latter was an old Whig, and took an 
active part in politics. Enoch Smith settled in the south end of Irish Grove, 
and a son, Jordan Smith, settled in the same vicinity. Enoch Smith died in 
1841. His sons are also dead, and the entire family, except Mrs. Jesse England, 
who is his daughter. Jesse England also settled in Irish Grove in 1834. 
He married a daughter of Enoch Smith, and is still living on the place where 
he originally settled. His father came from Ohio to Sangamon County in 
1819, and was the first white man who came north of the Sangamon River, 
and his daughter the first white woman. 

John S. Jenison was a native of the Old Bay State, and came to Sugar 
Grove about 1822-23. He sold his claim to Leonard Alkire, and moved into 
the present precinct of Indian Creek. A son, Luther Jenison, now lives near 
the village of Greenview. Joseph and Samuel Powell, two brothers and broth- 
ers-in-law to Leonard Alkire, came about 1825. They were from Ohio here, 
but natives of the Old Dominion. They raised large families, finally died here, 
and their families scattered and moved away, some of them to Fulton County, 
and some to the State of Oregon. Nicholas Propst came from Virginia, and 
settled in Sugar Grove prior to the "deep snow," that epoch from which the 
pioneer dates so many events in his early history. He died here a number of 
years ago, and was an eccentric old gentleman of German descent. A cabinet- 
maker in the neighborhood owed him a debt, and not having the requisite funds 
on hand to cancel the obligation, told Propst that he would make him anything 
in the furniture line that he might need. Propst said he did not need any- 
thing just then, but that he would some day need a coffin, and. if he chose to 
do so, lie might make him one. The cabinet-maker went to work on the cofHn, 
and Propst superintended it, and had it made according to his own taste. When 
finished, there was still a small balance due Propst, SO he had the man make a 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

long bench to lay him out on when the time oame, and he had "shuffled <>H tli 
mortal coil." thus far prepared for final dissolution, he wei 

farther, and had a torn I oul of a lii rock, ni© jed, an 

single words, " Nicholas P cut in it. When he finally died, th 

st. »iic marked his resting-place in the Sugar G iveyard, until the effacio 

hand of time crumbled it to pieces, without other words or li \fterh 

coffin was completed, he got into it to try it. and, as he said, l< to Bee how 
would fit.'' He afterward told Rev. John Alkire that it Beared him like h— 
when he got into it. 

m Wright come some tunc previous to 1830 and was, it is believed, froi 
Ohio, though it is not remembered with certainty. He bought out our Samu 
Alkire. a cousin to Leonard Alkire who had settled here about 1824- - 
removed to Indiana after selling out to Wright. After living in Sugar Grot 
1 years, Wright Bold out and removed to Petersburg, and built the fir 
bridge over the Sangamon River at that place. William Gibbs came from Bi 
timore, but was an Englishman. He boughl out Wright when he went 
Petersburg, as above stated. Bis oldest boo lives in the village of Sweetwate 
Reuben 1>. Black came from Ohio, and, after living here awhile, married 

daughter of Leonard Alkire. He was a physician, and, at last accounts, Wl 

living in Missouri. 

1-1!'— 1-7'.'. 

Sixty years! But a little space, a- reckoned in the six thousand 

since the creation of the world: even time itself is only 

Cm from eternity's mysterious »rt>. 
And oasl beneath the skies " — 

and yet what a vast record these sixty years have home with them from tl 

world. Revolutions have swept over the earth, as troubled vision- Bweep oi 
the breast of dreaming Borrow. Cities have arisen and flourished for a little 86 
son. then disappeared, leaving no trace to tell where or when or how th 

empires have Bprung into existence, gathering in a brief time the atreng 
of centuries, and then suddenly sunk from the world forever. Thechai 

mighty events that have occurred iii our <>wn country in those year- are equal 

astounding. The building of railroads and steamboats, and the invention of tl 
telegraph, are hut a few of these greal event-. "Sixty years ago, when .lam 
Meadows a cabin in Sugar Grove, he would not have believed th 

to-day would present all the changes ami improvements that it has presents 
"though one had risen from the dead" to proclaim it to him. The wild pn 
ami the timbered ad dells, inhabited then by Indians, deer, wolvt 

panthers and other iiiimals. are now vast fields of waving grain ; and ti 

tanner-' palatial dwellings are Been now where there were the hunter'.- cabin at 

the Indian's wigwam. All these changes are difficult of realization by othe 

than tho-e who have witnessed them. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 368 

The pioneers of this section had the same difficulties in procuring meal and 
flour as the new-comer had in other localities. Sometimes a trip was made to 
St. Louis for such supplies as Hour, salt, and sugar and coffee when the settlers 
could afford such luxuries. James Meadows made more than one trip to that 
city in a canoe via the Sangamon, Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. He built a 
mill also in 1823, which was a great convenience to the people in the Sugar 
Grove end of the precinct. Those in the Irish Grove end used to go to Athens 
to mill, and even to Springfield, until a mill was erected in the village of 
Sweetwater, which will again be referred to. The erection of this mill secured 
to this district the best of facilities for obtaining the "staff of life." Jacob 
Boyer was the first blacksmith, who followed the trade for the benefit of others. 
Leonard Alkire kept a forge for his own benefit, as did Propst and James 
Meadows. Meadows was a wheelwright, but also kept a blacksmith-shop, prin- 
cipally for his own work. Josiah B. Smith was the first Justice of the Peace 
in the Irish Grove end of the precinct. Who was the first in Sugar Grove we 
did not learn. 

James McNabb taught the first school in the limits of the present precinct 
of Sugar Grove in a small log cabin near where Gregory Lukins now lives. He 
is still living, and the cabin in which he taught was erected for school purposes 
— the first temple of learning built in the precinct. As his old pupils look back 
to the days when he ruled them with rod of iron they call to mind, no doubt, 
Goldsmith's familiar lines: 

•• Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, 
Willi blossomed furze unprofitably gay, 
There, in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule, 
The village master taught his little school ; 
A man severe he was, and stern to view, 
I knew him well, and every truant knew ; 
Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace 
The day's disaster in his morning face; 
Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee 
At all his jokes, for many a joke had he; 
Full well the busy whisper circling round 
Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned ; 
Yet In; was kind, or if severe in aught, 
The love In- bore to learning was in fault. 
* * * * * 

Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around ; 
And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew 
That one small head could carry all he knew." 

The precinct has now six sehoolliouses, including the one in the village. 
These sehoolliouses are commodious and comfortable, and furnished with all the 
modern improvements. Good schools are taught during the usual school term 
by competent teachers, and every facility is offered to the youth of the neigh- 
borhood for obtaining an education. 



*64 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

The religious history of Sugar Ghnoi what complicated, u related to 

u< by those who have been close obe 'its mis-ion in this region. It will 

ii in connection with the village. Rev. John Alkireand Rev. 

Hughe- wei-e two of the early divines of the Christian Church in the precinct; 

also Rev. Lbner, Peeler, who afterward removed to Woodford Count v. A 
Christian Church was erected at an early day near where Gregory Lukins now 
live-. It was built of logs with puncheon floor, clapboard roof and a Btick 
chimney at each end of the building. Thia served the double purpose of church 
and sohoolhouse until 1838, when a frame building was put up 18x20 feet, and 
also used for church and Bchool purposes. About the year 1848, a brick church 
was built on the site of the original house. It was quite an edifice for that day 
and was built upon a Btone foundation. After the laying-out of the villag 
Sweetwater, the society moved their <piarters, and built a church in the vili 
This building was then remodeled ami changed into a dwelling-house. 

William ESngle and Elisabeth Alkire were married in 1 828 and this was the first 

marriage in the present bounds of Sugar Grove Precinct, or in the eastern part of 
Menard < lounty. The first birth and death are not remembered. But in proof that 

there 'nave been a number of both, we refer the reader to the present population. 

and to Sugar Grove Cemetery. In its quiet shades Bleep many of the early 
Bettlersof the neighborhood, as well as those who were rut down in the bloom 
of youth. It has been incorporated, and is beautifully situated on an elevated 

piece ..f ground about two miles from the village; i> substantially inclosed and 

well eared for. 

William ESngle kept the first Btore in the precinct, and the first in the 
em part of Menard County, except at Athens. Ee Opened a store on his farm 
(where John ESngle now lives, several years before the laying-out of Sweetwater, 
r the village W8S laid out he moved his Btore into the corporation, where it 

: tin alluded to. In politic-.. Sugar Grove is pretty evenly divided upon the 

great questions Of the day. At one ti [risfa Grove, lying partly in this pre- 
cinct and partly in Greenview, _ r a\e hut one I democratic vote, but the sentiment 
has somewhat changed since then. The precinct taken altogether, is perhaps, 

Republican by a small majority. During the late war. it did it- full share in 
furnishing t mops to maintain the Onion. If it had a draft at all. it WSS for but 
a very few men. as all calls were promptly tilled. Our space will not admit of 
an extended sketch of the precinct's war record, and we pa-- with the tribute, 
that its soldiers did their duty. 

\ II. I. m.i: oi SWERTM \ I BR. 

nd out by William ESngle and tin 1 Alkire- on Sectioi 

and 32, of Township 1'.'. about the Mar I 8« ".-".. |t i- located in Sugar <ii 

a beautiful body of timber, some three miles from the villa Greenview. It 

i- Burrounded by a fine farming community, and has a large trade for bo small 
a place. The first stoic was opened by the AJkires, and about the Bame time 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 365 

William Engle moved his store from his farm, and opened up in the village. A 
post office was established with William Engle as Postmaster. Just here arises 
the name of Sweetwater. P. M. Harris was the representative of this district 
in Congress at the time, and through him the post office was obtained, and des- 
ignated in the petition Sugar Grove. But it was found that there was already 
a Sugar Grove in the State, and Harris wrote Mr. Engle to select another 
name. After some deliberation with those interested, Sweetwater was decided 
upon as being nearest Sugar Grove — the water of the sugar maple being sweet, 
and thus the name of Sweetwater was obtained. The present Postmaster is 
Joseph Schofield. When the office was first established, the mail was received 
on the line from Petersburg to Elkhart, mostly on horseback. It is received now 
from Greenview. Jacob Propst, Jr., was the first blacksmith in the village, and 
Dr. John H. Hughes was the first physician. A mill was built soon after the 
village was laid out, by Deal & Hughes. It is still in operation and doing 
excellent work, though the building shows the ravages of time. The firm name 
of Deal & Hughes has never changed since the mill was first built ; the present 
Hughes, however, being a son of the one concerned in its erection. It is a 
frame edifice, operated by steam, with two run of buhrs, and it is said makes as 
good flour as any mill in the county. The business of the village may be thus 
summarized: Two general stores, including in their stocks dry goods, groceries, 
drugs, hardware, etc., etc.; one shoe-shop; one blacksmith and wagon shop; 
one post office: one mill; one schoolhouse; one physician (Dr. Hurst) and two 
churches. 

The schoolhouse was built about 1868 or 1870, is an elegant two-storv 
brick, and cost something like $4,500. James Steele taught the first school in 
it. Prof. Ayers has been the teacher for the past two years, and is engaged 
for the coming year. It is conducted as a graded school, and is fully up to the 
average standard of that class of schools. 

If we could write the church history of Sweetwater in the same language 
in which it was told us, it would be highly entertaining, no doubt, to many of 
our readers, at least. But we feel inadequate to the task, and hence we give it 
in our own words. The first church built in village was that of the Christians, 
or New Lights, and is a sort of continuation of the one mentioned in the history of 
the precinct as erected near Gregory Lukins'. It is a spacious brick edifice, 
and cost about $3.5<>0 at the time it was built. There is no regular pastor at 
present, but transient ministers frequently call and preach to the Hock who are 
wont to worship within its walls. The original society underwent several 
changes, as we understand it — that is. New Lights, Campbellites and then Apos- 
tles, or Christians. It finally became somewhat stirred upas Adventists r ora part 
of the congregation did, when they sold their interest in the building and 
erected the present frame church, at a cost of about $2,500. When the Advent- 
ists went up, or, more correctly speaking, fulled to go up, some got disgusted, 
and, as a result, the church was sold to the Methodists, who worshiped in it for 



BISTORT OF MEN \i:i» OOUNTi 

a time, with - uonally by the Presbyterians. The Method 

ttually, broke down, and, as our informant expressed it. "all went into the 
mush-pot together." The church was again Bold, ami this time was bought 
by tin- Old-School Presbyterians, who still own it and hold regular services, 
though the congregation is composed <>t' several creeds. It was re-organized 
under thi Rev. Mr. Crosier, of Indian Point. A union Bun- 

day school of the two churches is carried on, but the Superintendent's nam-- ire 
<lid not learn. 

This village used by the pseudonym of Chloeville, and when we 

inquired of an old gentleman why it was so called, In- said it was for an old 
lady who once lived in it. whose first name was Chloe, '"and Borne one. in 
acknowledgment," said be, "of her general cussedness, as a burlesque, called 
the town after her." 



INDIAN CREEK PRECINCT. 

The prairies of the West, though favored with a soil scarcely equaled in the 
world, and possessed of climate and water unsurpassed, yet, apparently, lacking 
in the means of producing warmth, were slow to attract the emigrant ; while 
the eastern portion of the I nited States, though not bo highly favored in these 
respect-, was settled two hundred years earlier than those vast West< rn plains. 
When Illinois began to till up with the Anglo-Saxon race, we find its first occu- 
pants steering their "prairie schooners'" for the groves of timber and the 
streams of water, where they rightly concluded lay, with a productive soil, also 

ty of fuel and water. It was not until nearly every acre of timher-land 

lying adjacent to water-courses had been "claimed," that people in this section 

of the country turned their attention to the prairies. With the utmost caution. 

they ventured out beyond the protecting shelter of the forest, ami. as cabins 

up on the broad plains, tin- croakers, who are ever ready to prophesy evil. 

indulged in all manner of predictions iii regard to the fearless pioneers — such 
a- freezing t<> death, and being blown away by storms. Thi- was the case in 

county and in this precinct, as well a- elsewhere, ami m> settlements were 
made heyoiid the timber, until necessity compelled the increasing population to 
•■ move on." 

Indian Creek Precinct, the subject of this chapter, is as tinea body of land 
a-, to use a familiar expression, "a cro* ever flen over." The greater portion 
id' it is line rolling prairie, neither hills nor bluffs, nor low. Ilat levels, but more 

mbling the -wells of the ocan. It l- well watered and drained by Salt 

k on the north boundary, Sangamon River <>n the west boundary, Indian 
k iui the south boundary, ami Littl< I 3 a Grove ''reek- flow- 

through it, so that it has no lack of water facilities. It is hounded on the 

north by Mason County, on the west by Sandridgo Precinct, on tin- south by 





'.S.Jl 



£^t-t.j 



TALLL/LA 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 369 

Petersburg and Athens, and on the east by Sugar Grove and Greenview Pre- 
cincts, and lies in Townships 18 and 19 north, Range 6 west of the Third 
Principal Meridian, according to Government survey. No village-* or I 
break the monotony of its vast productive fields at the present day, though 
quite a village at one time existed in its territory, as noticed in another 
The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad runs through from southwest to 
northeast, and, while it is a vast benefit to the precinct as a means of I 
portation, yet there is no station within its borders. The shipping point is 
Greenview, principally, which is but a mile or so from the line. This is the 
smallest precinct in Menard County except Rock Creek, having but about 
twenty-nine sections of land. But while the land of Rock Creek is rather 
inferior in quality, taken altogether, that of Indian Creek is of the best, and 
its farmers, judging from their spacious farms and elegant residences, are among 
the most prosperous in the county. 

SETTLEMENTS OF INDIAN CREEK. 

This precinct was settled mostly from Kentucky, with a few Virginians 
thrown in to perfect the state of society. The following recruits were received 
from the old Blue Grass State : James Short, Solomon Taylor, Robert and 
James Bracken, Andrew Trumbo, John Moore and sons, Robert White, William 
McDougall, Abraham Hornback and sons, Elijah Scott, Francis Rayburn, 
William Brewer and son, Samuel Rogers and son, Alexander Crawford, David 
Onstott, John Pentecost and sons, Michael Killion, William Denton, William 
and James Estill, Coleman Smoot, Hamilton Elliott. Isaiah Low, and, perhaps, 
others. James Short is supposed to have been the first white man to settle in 
the present precincts of Indian Creek. He located here in 1824, and, in 1828, 
removed to Sangamon County. Solomon Taylor came in about 1828. He is 
still living ; resides in the village of Greenview, and is, perhaps, the second 
oldest living settler of this precinct. Robert and James Bracken, brothers, 
came in 1826—27. Robert died here, but his widow is still living on the | 
where her husband settled more than fifty years ago, and is in her eighty-first 
year. She is a sister to Walter Turner, in Athens Precinct. James Bracken 
removed to Missouri. Andrew Trumbo came in • _ - 29, and died in the neigh- 
borhood some years ago. Solomon Taylor's wife having also died, Mr. T 
and Mrs. Trumbo were recently married, and though a rather aged couple to 
embark, or, rather, to re-embark on the sea of matrimony, it is said to have 
i an excellent arrangement for both, and that they are living comfortably 
•ther in Greenview. John Moore and his five stalwart sons, John 
Andrew. Samuel and William, came in 1828. They were a fine family, 
ranked among the prominent people of the neighborhood. The old gentleman 
and most of the family are dead. William and Joseph, we relieve, are all that 
are left. The latter lives in De Witt County, and Joseph in this county. 

Robert White came abour 326—27 is monarch of all he survv 

k 



HISTORY 01 mi:\ \i:i> COUNTY. 

where h< the mouth of Salt Creek, do family having squatted 

between the two points. He died here many years ago. William McDougall 
came about the same time, and was a son-in-law of White. He died a few 
months ago a1 the ;i._ r <' of Beventy-ti Elijah Scott came about 182' 

He moved away some twenty-five or thirty y< Abraham Hornbackand 

bis bobs, John, Jesse and Andrew, came about L826. The old gentleman i* 

long since dead. U Well as most of the others, excepl Andrew, who lives in this 

precinct Francis Rayburn came in 1828. He finally died in Iowa, to which 
State he removed Borne time before. William Brewer and his son, John Brewer, 
about I Both died in this precinct. Samuel Rogers and his 

ion, Joseph R gere, came about 1825. They also died in the precinct. 
Squire Godby relates the following anecdote in which he and Joseph Kogers 

■ aptain of the militia, ami, as such, used to call 
the " able-bodied citizens" together for the purpose of "muster." At one of 
periodica] musters, Godby tailed to put in an appearance, lor which 
delinquency, Rogers had him appointed Fourth Corporal in his company, g 
after this, Rogers returned to Kentucky, where he remained some time, 
ral oth< r i llic rs died, moved away or resigned, s<> that Godby, the Fourth 
Corporal of the company, became the Benior officer. In tb I affairs, 

the Black Hawk war broke out. and the Ciovernor made his call for tri 

when this company presented the novel spectacle of being commanded by its 
Fourth < 'orporal. But, bearing bis '■ blushing honors " w ith becoming dignity, 
he summoned the company together, called for volunteers, made up the requ 

Dumber, scut them to the front, and then. < 'incinnatus-like. returned to his 

plow. 

Alexander Crawford came in 1827, and died beresome twenty-five or thirty 

years ago. David <>nstott came as early a- \^-~>. ami erected a mill and dis- 
tillery, which is noticed on another page. He was a character that could not 
urrounded, as an old gentleman expressed it to us, and as people moved in, 

Lthered together his worldly goods and took up his journey to a far coun- 

Irkansas, it is believed. He said he had waded through h — 1 t. 

here, and did not propose to he crowded. BO he again .-truck out for the wilder 

when people got too thick around him. Coleman Smool bought him out in 

this settlement. John PentecOSl and three smi-. William, Henry ami John, 

m l v _:7. They were originally from Virginia, but emigrated to Ken- 
tucky in early limes, whence they came to Illinois, a- above. They are 

all dead or moved away from the precinct. William Denton came in L£ 

and died here many ;. Michael Killi-m came in L880. He lived in 

the Moore neighborhood, and came from the ction that they can,.' from. 

He died bere jr< W Squire G dby settled herein L830, he built 

his cabin mi the prairie, about half a mile from the timber, and Killion remarked 

that 'that fool Virginian would I death so far from the timber.' 

William K>till, a brother-in-law of Million's, came about I H -till 



HISTORY OF MENARD 001 &71 

living, and in his eighty-fifth year, quite an active old man, and the oldest liv- 
ing settler in the precinct. James Estill, his brother, was also am og the early 
settlers, and died long ago. Hamilton Elliott ami two sons, Richard and Bad- 
den, came in 1830—31. Richard removed to Fulton County. He is described 
as an enterprising man, speculated considerably, and. as our informant expr< 
it, "would risk his life for a coon-skin." He finally went to California, and 
amassed quite a fortune. Hiram Chapin and Benjamin Day came very early, 
but did not remain long in the settlement. William Day was another of the 
early ones. He was a brother to Benjamin. The latter gentleman had entered 
the ferry on Salt Creek, where the State road from Springfield to Havana 
crossed, and when William came a few years later, he took charge of this place. 
He finally moved to Iowa. Coleman Smoot came about 1831, and bought out 
Onstott. He is dead, and his son, William C. Smoot, lives on the old home- 
stead. The elder Smoot was an enterprising farmer, a prominent man, and 
accumulated a handsome property. His son is also a man of wealth and influ- 
ence in the community. Isaiah Low came in 1831-32, and a few years ago 
moved to Iowa. These settlers, so far as names are given, all came from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois, though some of them, and perhaps a majority, were originally 
from Virginia, as Kentucky was settled principally by Virginians. Squire 
Godby informed us that when he came to the country, he " squatted right in a 
nest of Kentuckians, and as jolly good fellows, too, as ever lived." 

From Virginia, the venerable mother of Presidents, the following additions 
were made to the Indian Creek settlement : Russell Godby, Isaac Snodgi i 
Fielding Ballard, William Sampson, with, probably, a few others. Godby 
came in the spring of 1830, and his first winter here was that of the "deep 
snow,'' which cast something of a damper (particularly wdien it began to melt 
off in the spring) upon the feelings with which he had regarded the fine prairies 
of Illinois, as compared to the red hills of " Old Virginny." He was the first 
man in the present precinct of Indian Creek who settled outside of the timber, 
and he did not venture very far from its shelter. He still lives upon the place 
of his original settlement, and is one of the prominent and leading men of the 
neighborhood, and was one of the early Justices of the Peace. Although his 
bodily health is failing, his mental condition appears as strong as if still in the 
noontide of manhood, and we acknowledge our indebtedness to him for many 
facts connected with this precinct and its early settlement. M 
and Ballard were brothers-in-law to Godby, and came the same year. The 
former gentleman lives now in Salt ('reek Township, in Mason County. Bal- 
lard, though originally from Virginia, had emigrated to Indiana, where he 
resided for a few years before coming to this county, and. upon his arrival 1. 
bought the claim of Joseph Rogers. He died in this precinct. Sampson came 
to the Indian Creek settlement several years before G and Dai- 

lard, probably about L826— 27. He remained a resident of the precinct until 
his death, which occurred about 1870. Philip Barnett was an Eastern man. 



HISTORY OF MEN LRD COUNTY. 

and a brother-in-law to Godby. These four gentlemen, viz.. Godb; : 

Ballard and Barnett, married - Barnett died a few years ago in Fulton 

< Jounty. 

John King came from North Carolina in 1826-27. Be was born in L775, 
and died at the advanced age of one hundred and one years and twenty-nine 
tier of 1812, and of the Indian wars of the South, under Gen. 
Jackson, he was a firm believer in and a devoted admirerofOld Hickory to the 
end of his life. When he first came to Qlinois (1821), be Bettled in the south- 
ern pai-; of the State, where he resided until hi- settlement in this section, as 
above. bis death, he and TarltoD Lloyd, of Rock (.'reek Precinct, 

were the only relics left in Menard County of the war of L812. Hifl death 
leaves Mr. Lloyd like "the last rose of summer, blooming alone." Dedman 
Powers was an early settler, hut of him not much could be learned. William 
Duff came in L827-28, hut where from no one could tell. He is mentioned as 

a " hard old customer," rough, profane, and a poor acquisition to the settle- 
ment, any way. lie remained hut a few years, and then moved away. John 
Clary came to the settlement very early, and was attending Onstott's mill when 
re Godby came in. He was probably from Tennessee; has a son still 

living in Menard County, hut the old gentleman ha- been dead -everal y< 
This brings the settlement of Indian Creek down to a period when the tide of 
immigration poured in with such volume and force as to baffle the historian's 
skill to keep pace with it. and we will not attempt it further, but turn our 

attention to other items in its history. 

EDUCATIONAL \N!> B.BLIGI01 

< »ne of the first mow- made by the pioneer, after securing a claim ami 
erecting a cabin to shelter his family, was in the direction of education and 

religious worship. A school was taught in this settlement as early as the Bum- 
mer of 1830, in a vacant cabin on the premises of Samuel R gers. [t was 
taught by John Pentecost, who walked a distance of three and a half miles 

and from the seem- of his labors. The next Bchool was by Dr. David Meeker, 

who taught in an old bouse belonging t-. Coleman Smoot. Tie gular 

sohoolhouse built in the present hounds of Indian Creek Precinct was on land 
belonging now to William Smoot, and was 'if the primitive pioneer schoolhouse 
pattern. It was built about and Silas Alexander waa the tir.-t pedagogue 

who presided over the young ideas within it- classic walls. In this log cabin, 
known as the ■■ Smoot Schoolhouse," many of the youth of the neighborhood 

(now old men! took their first lessons in W( ik, and in tie 

of shooting paper wad-. The precinct now has five excellent brick sohoolhi 
conveniently located in its territory, in which every child ma\ i 
English education, sufficient to tit him for the ordinary walk- of life. 

The first minister who proclaimed the Gospel in tins section was the I 

Berry, i Cumberland Presbyterian preacher from the Rock Cn 



BISTORY OF MENARD COCTNTY. 373 

settlement. He was Pastor of the New Lebanon Church, near the line of the pre- 
cinct, which was one of the first places of worship of the people of this settlement. 
In 1843, a society of this denomination -was organized at New Market, a village 
now extinct, but at one time entertaining rather lofty pretensions. This soci- 
ety was organized by Revs. J. R. Torrence and A. H. Goodpasture, with the 
latter preacher as its first spiritual director. It was known as the "New 
Market Congregation " for a period of five years, and increased during the 
time from a membership of thirty to seventy communicants. It was then 
moved to the Knowles Schoolhouse, and from, that time until its removal to 
the village of Greenview, about 1858-60, was known as the " Bethel Con- 
gregation." The remainder of its history is given in the chapter devoted 
to Greenview. A society of Baptists was organized in the precinct before 
the Cumberland Presbyterian organization, above described, by the Rev. John 
Antle, who was the first divine of that denomination in this section. It was 
originally held in a schoolhouse, but, like the Presbyterians, removed to 
Greenview upon the laying-out of that village. These are all the church 
organizations of Indian Creek Precinct. Although there are no church edi- 
fices within its borders, there are a number scattered around it in other and 
adjoining precincts. 

The first mill in this immediate vicinity was built by David Onstott, 
away back in the twenties, but just what time we could not learn. Squire 
Godby says it was in full blast when he came to the settlement in the spring 
of 1830, and had a small copper still attached, such, perhaps, as are used 
by the " moonshiners " of the present day in Tennessee and North Carolina. 
It was a small affair, and worked up the superfluous corn into spiritus fru- 
menti, which was consumed by the pioneers nearly as fast as it was made, 
as an antidote (!) for snake-bites. The mill was propelled- by horse-power, 
and served the purpose of making hominy and meal for the neighborhood. 
This, we believe, is the extent of the mill business in this precinct. Since 
the burning of the Greenview mills, most of the people of this community 
patronize the mills of Petersburg. 

The first birth and marriage are forgotten, but as everything must have a 
beginning, these had a beginning in Indian Creek Precinct, as the present 
population will go to show. The first death is supposed to have been the 
mother of Fielding Ballard, who came to the settlement in 1830. He brought 
his mother with him, who was quite aged, and who died the next year. The 
first physician in the settlement was a Dr. Walker, but he did not remain very 
long. Whence he came or whither he went, we did not learn. Dr. David 
Meeker was the next doctor, and combined school teaching with the practice 
of medicine. In those days, people did not* send for a doctor on all occasions, 
as they do now ; consequently had less sickness — no offense to the medical fra- 
ternity intended — and fewer doctors' bills to pay. The first blacksmith-shop 
in the neighborhood was opened in the now extinct village of New Market by 



::7 1 BI8T0RY OP MEN MID COUNTY. 

two men aamed 1 1 Saunders and William F. Rogers. Coleman Smoot 

was the first Justice of the Peace, an 1 Russell Godby I 1 in tlie pre- 

cinct. The name of Indian Creek was ibtained from the creek flowing a 
the southwest boundary, and emptying into the Sangamon River at the corner 
of this precinct, Sandridge and Petersburg. The name was applied :<> the 
creek in memory of some of the tribes of [ndians that once occupied the 
country. 

tically, Indian Cr< P Democratic. During the late war, it 

patriotic, as all other portions of Menard County, and turned out a 1 
number of Boldier — shoulder straps as well as muskets. Company K. of the 

Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Infantry, was raised principally in this 
precinct. The Captain of the company was Samuel Estill; Lucian Terhune, 
utenant, and Henry Rogg 3 cond Lieutenant. Company F, of the 
Twenty-eighth Regiment of Illinois Infantry, also drew a few men from this 
precinct. William J. Estill, of Petersburg, a In-other of Capt. Estill of Com- 
pany K. mentioned above, was Captain of a company, and was wounded on 

1 day's fight at Pittsburg Landing, and came home, leaving the c 
mand of the company to 1 Estill, the First Lieutenant, also a In-other. 

The latter was killed in the battle of Hatchie, Tennessee. Capt. Estill's wound 
not permitting his return to the army, he finally resigned, and a gentleman 
from Athens Precinct became Captain of the company. 

llli: VILLAGE OF NBW MARKET. 

Doubtless many of our readers are ignorant of the fact that a Tillage bear- 
the above name once existed in their midst. It not only did exist, but 
aspired, we are told, to i ; ming the seat of government 

for the State of Illinois, as well as the capital of Menard County. It was laid 
out by Dr. Ballard and a man aamed Speer. Ballard put up a large two-s 
building, intended for a tavern : but the glory of the new town waned so soon 
that it was never needed or used for the purpose. A .-tore was opened by one 
Clarke, who afterward Bold out to Ballard & Speer. A. blacksmith-shop 
opened, as before noted. 1 ' Saunders and William F. Rogers, and the 

place presented quite as much the appearance of a town as did Petersburg at 
the time the county seat was located there. In establishing the county seat, it 
was ; for the r a dnst the latter place for that dignified position, 

and i that it was a i >r with Springfield for the S 

capital. 'I'h re it as we heard it. [f true, it p] 

for a high Btake, and — lost. With the location of th< at 1' 

burg, it faded away into Dothingness. It became a village of the dead rather 
than of the living ive for ambition — an antidote for pr ruins 

Baalbec are in many i ; Palmyra, at least in vastness, sur- 

.■n Baall \ ■ ns, Rome, Jerusalem, and othei 

appeal to our pity and touch our hearts ; hut for V ■ M irket, the " mighty city 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 375 

of lofty aspirations," we can only, like the Hebrew captives of old, "hang our 
harps upon the willows" and weep. It owed its origin to a rather wild ambi- 
tion, and waned to its extinction when fate decided adversely to its hopes and 

• Sweet smiling village, loveliest of the lawn, 
Thy sports are fled, and all thy charms withdrawn ; 
Amidst thy bowers die tyrant's hand is seen, 
And desolation saddens all thy green ; 
One only m -t>s the whole domain, 

\nd half a tillage stints thy Bmiling plain ; 
No move thy glassy brook reflects the 'lay, 
But, clinked with sedges, works its weedy way ; 
Along thy glades, a solitary guest — 
The hollow-sounding Wit tern guards its nest ; 
Amidst thy desert-walks the lapwing flies, 
And tires their echoes with unvaried cries. 
Sunk are thy bowers in shapeless ruin all, 
And the long grass o'ertops the moldering wall, 
Ami trembling, shrinking from the spoiler's hand, 
Far, tar away thy children leave the laud." 

Finally, when the fact was ascertained beyond any shadow of doubt that 
it was "born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness upon the desert air," it 
was vacated, by legislative enactment, and nothing now remains to point out 
the spot where once it stood. Its .original site is a productive farm. 



SANDRIDGE PRECINCT. 

This division of the county lies in the extreme northwest corner and com- 
prises within its limits a little more than fifty four sections, or a township and 
one-half. It is designated Congressionally as Township 19 north, Ranges 7 
and 8 west of the Third Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the north and 
east by the Sangamon River, south by Petersburg Precinct, and west by Cass 
County. Originally, its surface was about equally divided between woodland 
and prairie. The timber was of a fine quality and, untouched as yet by the 
woodman's ax, was heavier than the third or fourth growth of our day. Much 
of its surface is sufficiently elevated and rolling to obviate the necessity of 
artificial drainage. Small portions contiguous to the Sangamon on the cast 
and north are subject to overflow, but afford excellent pasturage. Concord 
Creek on the casr. Clary's and Little Grove on the southwest, tributaries of the 
Sangamon, afford outlets for the surface waters of a large area. The Spring- 
field & North-Western Railroad crosses the precinct in a general northwestern 
direction. The .Jacksonville branch of the C. A. & St. L. R. R. touches the 
southeastern boundary of the precinct. Tin villages of Oakford and Atter- 
berry, whose history will be given at the close of this chapter, are stations on 
the first-mentioned road. A belt of woodland extending in a general north- 
eastern direction, elevated considerably above the adjacent prairie, and with 
quite a sandy soil, gives to the precinct the name which it bears. 



376 HI8T0RY OF MENARD COl 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 



>unty antedate the first settlements made within the 
limits of tlii- precinct. An apparent mist of doubt appear- to gather about 
tin- answer to the question, " Who was the first settler in Sandridg 
Am:- William Sampson and Royal Potter were the first to make perma- 

nent settlements, but just which of these three p mnd 

matter not very readily determined. All were in the precinct in 1819. If 
there be a preponderance of evidence in favor of either, it points more clearly 

. mstrong than either of th and, for this reason, we are incline'] to 

fer upon him the honor of making the first improvement. Armstrong was 
from ind laid a claim in the southeastern part of this section on 

laml now owned and occupied by Grady Rutledge. After a few years, he 
moved to Arkansas, and thence to Texas, whei its later, he 

<lie«l. William Sampson was from Kentucky, and made an improvement not 
far from where John A. Clary now lives. He kept bachelor's hall fir a time. 

hut was married as early as 1821-22, [■> Hannah Schmiek. After living and 

making improvements at various point- in Sandridge, he finally crossed the 
Sangamon and settled in Greenview Precinct, where he died. Some of his 
immediate family are still citizens of th - r was from Tenm 

or Kentucky, and made an improvement on laud now owned by Henry B 
Shipley. This he afterward sold to Sampson and he to Reason Shipley. 
Miller were here not later than 1 820, and established them- 
selves in the nortleast coiner of the precinct. They kept the ferry across the 
river known to this day as Miller's Ferry. The town of Huron, the history 
of which is given in the general history of Mason County, was located at this 
point. Ilann- ■ Bond Came from Tennessee and made an improvement on 
what is known as the Holmau place, in 1821. Here he lived hut a short time, 

and next located in Clary's Grove. Ik- finally moved to Iowa, and, at last 

nit-, was living. If -till an inhabitant of terra firma, he is not far from 

his centennial birthday. He was a man of powerful muscular development 

and great physical endurance. lie would cut his timber and manufacture rail? 
by day and then carry them upon In- shoulders and make them into a 
night. George Kirby and William Watkins became citizens the same 3 
Kirby came from Madison County. His father. Cyrus Kirby, was a nati. 

Kentucky, and came to this State in 1811. The first settlement of the family 

at Clary's Grove. The exact year of removal to Sandridge we have not 
keen able to ascertain. Watkins. who by way of distinction is known as 
" Fiddler Bill," acquired his citizenship by birth, and is the oldest living 

native horn citizen of Menard County. His finely improved farm and the 

large accumulation of this world- by which he is surrounded, afford 

abundant evidence that life with him has been a grand success. Ge rge Hud- 
speth, from Monroe County, Ala., came m 1823, and though now quite feeble, 



IIINTOKY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

is still an honored and highly esteemed citizen of the precinct. Elias Hohi- 
incr. Reason Shipley, Jacob Short and his sons Obadiah, James and Harrison, 
were added to the settlement during 1824. Hohimcr and Shipley were from the 

'•dark and hloody ground," and became permanent settlers of this Bection from 
the time of their first arrival. Short and sons were from Madison County, and 
settled in Petersburg Precinct, whence they came to this section. The 
elder Short died the year following his removal to this section. Of his sons, 
Obadiah died at Nauvoo, James in Iowa, and Harrison here. Jacob Short, as 
were a number of the other early pioneers of this part, was a ranger in the 
war of 1812, and did good work in the service of his country. The year 
182;") brought in a large number of settlers. John Clary, who had settled at 
Clary's Grove in 1819 with his sons, John A. and Hugh, still citizens of the 
precinct, came in at this date. William Armstrong and his brothei' Pleasant, 
Isaac Colson, William and James Rutledge, John Cameron, Charles Revis- 
and his sons Isham and Alexander, Absalom Mounts and his son James, Rob- 
ert Davis, and doubtless some others, were here before the close of \*-~>. The 
Armstrongs were from Kentucky, and had settled prior to coming to Sand- 
ridge on Indian Creek. Pleasant, who maintained a state of celibacy, died 
here a number of years ago. William moved to Fulton County, and is still 
living. Colson was from Maine, and settled in the northwest corner of the 
precinct. The Rutledges and Cameron were originally from South Carolina, 
but they lived some time in White County before coming here. Cameron was 
a brother-in-law to William Rutledge, and, with them, settled in the southeast- 
ern part of this section. They remained citizens till removed by death, and 
many of their descendants are yet to be found here. The Revises were from 
Tennessee. Alexander became an early citizen of Crane Creek Township, 
Mason County. Absalom Mounts, whose name has become inseparably con- 
nected with pioneer milling in Menard and Mason Counties, came into the pre- 
cinct during the year. lie finally moved to Arkansas, where he engaged in 
his favorite pursuit, and, during the late civil war, lost his life at the hands of 
federal soldiers. James Pantier and his son David M., came in the winter of 
1826. The elder Pantier was a native of Kentucky, and was the second male 
white child born in the State, his father having accompanied Daniel Boone in 
his earliest adventures in hunting and warring with the savage red-skins on the 
"dark and bloody ground." He settled near the site of old Concord Church, 
purchasing a claim of William Armstrong. Here he continued to reside till 
near the close of his earthly career., when he made his home with his son. He 
died in 1859, and, with many of the other pioneer settlers, lies buried in the 
cemetery, on land owned by W. Goodpasture. Among the arrivals of 1 V -T, 
we note the names of Thomas Dowell, John and James Yardley, Solomon Nor- 
ris, James Runnels, George Bowman and John Braham. Dowell was from 
the South, and settled on the Sangamon bottom not far from where the village 
of Oakford now stands. The Yardlevs and Norris soon crossed into Mason 



378 SI8T0RI OF MENARD OOUN l'v 

County, and a notice of their early settlement is found in the history of Cl 

k Township. James Hudspeth, Afathias Young and John B. Colson were 
here prior to the "deep Bnow." Hudspeth and Young may possibly have 
come as early as l s _'7. but I prior to 1829. The fall and 

wint< ding the "deep .-now." quite a large settlement was made in and 

around tl the present town of Oakford. Julius Simmons, Legrande 

Winton, _i.ii. Isaac White. William Edwards, Alvin Smith. Matthew 

rry and sons Jonathan and Matthew. Jacob and Lei B wn were 
among the arrivals. Nearly all the early settlers before mentioned were from 
the South, i wever, were from the Northern and Easteri - and 

the settlement made by them was termed " Yankee Settlement."' by way of 
distinction. They were a thrifty, industrious and energetic class of citizens, 
and many of them acquired a competency for themselves and family. Most of 
them have followed the beckoning hand across the "dark waters." while a few 
yet linger on the shores of time. During the two decades immediately suc- 
ceeding the first settlements, many weic scattered her.- and there throughout 
the length ami breadth of the precinct; some became permanent tix;>. 

while Others improved a small claim, sold out ;it first offer, and moved farther 

out on the borders of civilization. A- was the invariable custom, the firs. 
tiers reared their cabins in and near the timber. The rich prairie lands out of 

which farm- could be made m a day. were left for those coming at a later date. 

ing down through the years, we timl the list already given increased by 
the names of William B. Cloe, Samuel Lownsberry, Isaac Ogden, Hayden 
Thomas, John Waldridge, John Kirby, Milton <!. Combs, James Alt;-. George 

R. Watkins. ,1. I.. Short. .lames Potter and B. <'. Stith. These were all 
bere prior to 1840, and many of them settled in the prairie. Many of tl 

emain citizens of the precinct, and some on the very farms on which they 
ittle forty-odd years ago. Passing now from the early settle 
ments, we come to notice Bome of the inconveniences and disadvantages with 
which the pioneer was forced to contend. 

Some one ha- i that the pioneer settlers of almost every section have 

men of a roving disposition, given largely to hunting, fishing, and suchlike 

amusements, with Btrong aversions to agricultural pursuits. While many an old 

pioneer refers with a just pride to the L r ala days of yore, when all was " fun and 
frolic." when hunting ami trapping was his daily occupation, we must not for- 
get that the comfort and Welfare of the family depended largely upon the skill 

T the huntsman. Most of the pioneers of i stion are men 

of limited means, and. in opening up their farms, underwent many hardships. 
It i- related of Mr. Kirby that he planted his first crop of cereals by dig{ 
up tiie ground with a common mattock. The •• wooden mold-board plow 

: merely rooted up the surface was a luxury at that period that was not 

within the reach of many. Farming, in those days, we are assured, was 
comparatively a slavish occupation, and when we take into consideration the 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNT* 379 

indifferent implements with which they were compelled to labor, we can pardon 
much of the evident aversion of the hardy pioneers to farm labor. Reaping 
wheat with a sickle, threshing it with a flail, or tramping it out with horses, win- 
nowing it with a sheet, and grinding it in a hand-mill, or, in the case of coin, 
beating it in a mortar, were not operations in and of themselves that were cal- 
culated to impress the early fanners with a fondness for agricultural pursuits. 
In those early days the women dressed almost exclusively in home-made woolens, 
cottons and linens of their own manufacture, and wore moccasins (when they 
wore anything) on their feet. Men wore leather shoes considerably, with pants 
of buckskin, and generally a hunting shirt. Dandies affected a blanket coat 
and a fox-skin cap, with the tail turned up over the top. We mention these 
ineidcnts that the youth who con over these pages may understand something of 
the habits, customs and inconveniences to which the first settlers were subjected, 
and that those who read may, by comparison, more fully appreciate the grand 
strides that have been made in our civilization within the last half- century. 
While the senior members of our population, against whom we jostle in our 
daily walks, are, for the most part, unskilled in " book larnin," they have 
a fund of wisdom gathered from experience and observation which would 
do credit to the head and heart of many a book-worm of the present day. They 
were scrupulously honest, and had not learned the "tricks of the trade." 
When the Rev. Thomas Plasters was called upon to recommend a horse which 
his son-in-law had for sale, he said to the would-be purchaser, ,k The horse has 
two pints about him that well nigh spiles him in my estimation. The 
first is, he is very hard to ketch, and secondly, when you have ketched 
him he is of no earthly account." It is needless to add that this brilliant 
recommendation, coming as it did from the reverend old gentleman, completely 
put an end to the trade. 

EARLS MILLING, BLACKSMITHING. ETC. 

Primarily, the hominy mortar was the instrument used for the production of 
breadstuff. When wheat began to be raised, a trip, occupying two weeks, to 
Madison County for grinding, was no uncommon thing among tin- early settlers, 
and at a point on the Sangamon, near Springfield, was for a number of years 
their nearest mill. Early blacksmithing was obtained at Springfield. If an ox- 
ring was needed, or a log-chain was to be mended, it necessitated a pilgrimage 
to the present capital. After the founding of Salem, many of these incon- 
veniences became things of the past. Money, as a medium of barter and 
exchange, was but little used by the early settlers. Indeed, as was remarked 
by one of the pioneers, it was •■truck for truck." even to the paying of the 
the minister for his labors. All the money they needed was the small amount 
necessary to meet the demands of the Government in the way of taxes, ami 
this required but a nominal sum. One old settler informed us that on the same 
quarter-section on which in recent years he has paid $75 in taxes, in those 



IIISToltY OP MENARD COUNTY. 

early days (1.75 was amply sufficient to satisfy all demands. In the matter of 
ehurch organization, the Cumberland Presbyteri the first in the field. 

inized in L826, and for some tin bold, 

t, at private houses and in I Old Concord Church, 

on the creek of the same name in the i part of the precinct, 

tiaJ frame building 
the c ship for about thirt John M. 1- 

the earh I of the flock. James Pantier and wife, William 

James Rutledge and ■ 3 i ; rry and wife were the original meml 

Armstrong was the first received into membership. The denominal 
has prospered remarkably and has a large membership throughout the county. 
The pre-nit church edifice was built about 1862—63, and is a model of 
for a country church The l>;i] >t i~ • zation in the pre- 

cinct as early as 1833. Revs. Thomas Plasters and John Antle were an 
the early Baptist mini in. Their first ehurch was doub 

ted near the Bite of Robinson's Mill, but the date of its building we were 
Dot able tain. Nen H irch, built on the northwest corner of 

on 16, was the result of the united efforts of the Cumberland Presbyte 
and Baptists, who occupy it alternately for public services. The buildin 
a neat frame and was erected about l v 'il-f;_\ A German church has recently 
been buill on the southeast quarter of Section 10, hut of these last we " 
able to obtain but very meager statistics. Robinson's Mill was I'm! 
Clary's Creek, not far below the confluence of Little Grove Creek ami the first- 
mentioned stream. It was a water-mill and did work for a larg of terri- 
tory. Though the exact time of its establishment cannot he given, it i 
Bay that it was not far from l>ln. A town Bite was surveyed ami platted, hut, 
from some hindrances, failed to develop into much of a village, ami is now num- 
bered with the dead. Th«- only post office ever established in the precinct out- 

of the ones now found in Oakford ami Atterherry was at this point 

about the year 1844—45. Over this. John Bonnet presided as Postmas 
The place is now deserted; no mark or vestige of it-* former greatness remains. 
The mill has long sinee been abandoned, ami the merchants ami mechanii 

•' BobtOWD have given her over tO the moles ami 1 : 

Dr. .John Allen was the first practicing physician in this BOOtion. He 
came from the Green Mountain State ami located in Salem at an early day. 

II raa thoroughly qualified ami became eminent in his profession. Dr. Dun- 
can Was also early in the field, ami. like Allen. . sidenl of Salem. lie 

afterward moved to Warsaw. II'- is spoken of as being a well-read and 

ul practitioner. Marly mail matter was received at Springfield, when the 
settler \s.i< fortunate enough to he able to lift the billet-doux, or a line from 
tin- loved one- :it home, from the office, for this luxury cost the Bum ol 

-. an amount of cash not at all times readily ohtained. Among those 
clothed with legal authority in an early day. we may record the names of 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 381 

Samuel Berry and Robert Armstrong as the first Justices of the Peace. William 
Armstrong was, perhaps, the first to serve in this capacity after the present 
precinct organization was effected. S. D. Masters was also < piite an early 
Justice, and, in 1855, was chosen a member of the Legislatures It was dur- 
ing this session that Abraham Lincoln first figured prominently as a candidate 
for a seat in the United States Senate. The history of this precinct has, as 
regards its early settlement, been so intimately connected with other portions 
of the county that should the date given as to the coming of some of its citi- 
zens fall wide of the mark, we can only offer in palliation of the offense, that 
we have closely adhered to the testimony of the oldest and best-posted citizens 
now living within her borders, guided, also, by^ an earnest desire to present the 
record in as perfect and complete a manner as possible. 

VILLAGE OF OAK FORD. 

This is a small village on the S. & N.-W. R. R., and was surveyed and 
platted by A. J. Kelly, County Surveyor, for the proprietors, William Oakford 
and William Colson, in March. 1872. The town plat contains sixty acres and 
is in the midst of a fine agricultural district. The land on which the town is 
situated belonged to Colson, and Oakford acquired a half-interest for his 
influence in securing a station. A public sale of lots was made April 11, 

1872, at which time some 82.00(1 worth were disposed of, and soon after 
improvements began to be made. The first building or shanty on the town 
site was what was known as the railroad store, a kind of portable affair carry- 
ing chiefly in stock a supply for the railroad hands. Soon after the village was 
laid out, William Oakford built a storeroom and opened out a stock of grocer- 
ies. In the summer of 1872, a general store was opened by Calvin Atterberry, 
who had been in business at "Bobtown." This was purchased in 1873, by 
Isaac Ogden and A. G. Colson. In January, 1874, L. W. Roberts bought out 
Colson. and the firm became that of Ogden & Roberts. In October, 187o, they 
sold out to Sutton Bros., who operated the store three years and then sold to 
S. L. Watkins & Bro., who have since conducted the business. In June, 

1873, H. A. Bennett, from Petersburg, opened out a stock of drugs and shelf 
goods in the old railroad storeroom. This he soon after sold to William Col- 
son, and he in turn to A. G. Colson and J. II. Green. In January, 1871 

L. Watkins, the present proprietor, bought the establishment. In the spring 
of L875, Dr. J. D. Whitney and W. C. Roberts erected a building and opened 
a drug store. T. P. Renshaw & Co. began the operation of a branch store 
with a general stock in August, 1878. They occupy the room erected by 
Watkins & Colson, and formerly occupied by Moon & Gault, of Petersburg. 
Their main .-tore is located at Chandlerville, Cass < '"iinty. Oliver J. Moltby and 
.1. W. Walker started a harness-shop in 1876. This branch of busines- is at 
present operated by Berget Guist, from Virginia. Cass County. A confection- 
ery and restaurant is operated -emi-occasionally by C. P. Stith. James S 



382 BI8T0RI 01 MENARD COUNTY. 

Carter, from Petersburg, opened B furniture store here in 1*77. bat did not 
continue the business long. Dr. J. I>. Whitney and Charles Meyers built the 
first dwellings in the village in the summer of 1 S 7J. Meyers had formerly 
kept a doggery at Robinson's Mill- and supplied the villagers and surrounding 

inhabitants of the infant Oakford with lire-water for the space of two y< 

■ lames I*. Thomas, familiarly known a- •• Porky Thomas.' now issues out 

rations to the "boys" in the way <»f ••smiles. James 8. Carter, after clof 
out his furniture store, opened a saloon ami still operates it. Gilbert Ska_ 
doh editor of the Chandlerville Independent, built the first blacksmith-shop in 
the village. This was purchased by -lame-; McElhern, who came from Canada, 
ami was the first blacksmith in the place. L. \Y. Roberts, [saac <>u r den. 
William Jackson, A. <•. Colson, Henry Carter. .lame- McElhern, ami perhaps 
other-, built dwellings in the summer of l s 74. ami for a time the village 

seemed to lie well out on the highway to prosperity. But as the storm is ever 
Buccee led by the calm, bo the spirit of improvement gradually subsided ami 
the village has pretty much since remained in statu quo. The first practitioner 

to locate in the village was Dr. J. D. Whitney, who has recently taken up his 

residence in Petersburg. Jacob A. Bolinger, M. D., is the present resident 
physician. He lias hut recently located here ami is a young man of much 
promise in his profession. He is an alumnus- of .Missouri Medical Coll 
Rev. John Kennedy, a minister of the Baptist persuasion, preached here in 
(piite an early period of the village history. No -ehoolhouse or church build- 
ing ha- ever been erected in th'' village limits. Services are held occasionally 

by the different denominations of the vicinity, in the hall over the Btoreroom 
of Renshaw & Co. The mortality among the children of the village ami 
rhborhood in the Bummer of 1873, was very great Five interment- some- 
times occurred in a single day at the Oakford Cemetery. The first death 
among the adult population, was thai of Horace Purdy, whose decease occurred 

in the winter of 1872. Hi- wife also died a few weeks later. The first birth 
wa- that of a -on of John Whitley, horn in September, 1872. The mar 

of A. G. Colson and Rachel Skaggs, in November, 1 S 7 - J. ami that of L. W. 
Roberts and Carrie ( '. <>:_ r den. in March. 1873, were the first weddings that 
occurred in the village. The post office wa- established boob after the vill 

wa- started. It 18 at present presided over by S. 1.- Watkilis. LoW & V 

built a small elevator iii 1 --77. ami handle the grain shipped from this point. 
\ i ,-. of justifiable homicide occurred in the village during the summer of 
1^7'''. James McElhern, who has already been mentioned as the first black- 
Bmith, lost hi- life at the hands of one A.. I. McDonald. McElhern w 
man of great physical Btrength ami of rather a quai disposition, i 

ciallv when under the influence <>f intoxicants. It wa- clearly proven at the 

preliminary examination that McDonald was making every effort possible to 

avoid an encounter, luit finding every avenue of --ape cut off. suddenly turned 
upon him and delivered a pistol -hot which proved fatal. The grand jury 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 383 

failed to find a bill of indictment and so the matter ended. The business interests 
of the village to-day are represented as follows : Two general stores, one drug 
store, one harness-shop, one boot and shoe shop, one barber-shop, one flour and 
feed store, one butcher-shop, two saloons and one grain elevator. The popula- 
tion of the village does not exceed two hundred. 

Atterberry, a station on the S. & Nr-W. Railroad, midway between Peters- 
burg and Oakford, was laid out by Daniel Atterberry, in March, 1872. By 
birth, it is one day younger than Oakford. An acre of ground was donated to 
the road for depot purposes. The town site is in the midst of a rich firming 
community, but from some cause the growth of the village has failed thus far 
to meet the expectations of its founder. Not to exceed half a dozen dwellings 
mark the spot to-day. A post office, which is a mere neighborhood conven- 
ience, is presided over by Mr. Colburn, the gentlemanly agent of the S. & N. 
W. R. R. at this point. As a point from which to ship grain and live stock, 
it pays the railroad to keep a station here. Few points on the road show a 
larger shipment of live stock, and the grain trade is rapidly increasing. There 
is some talk of erecting a steam elevator and mill combined at the town, and 
should this be made an accomplished fact, no doubt a spirit of enterprise and 
improvement would spring up in the village. 



ROCK CREEK PRECINCT. 

" Time writes no wrinkles upon the brow of Old Ocean, as upon those of 
the fading race of men." With some degree of truth, the same might be said 
of Rock Creek Precinct. The last fifty years have produced far less change in 
it than in many other portions of Menard County. The "storms and sunshine " 
of more than three-score years have " flung their light and shade " over its hills 
and vales since the first people (whom God made white) laid their claims in its 
sheltering timber. Numbers of those log cabins may yet be found upon the 
summit of the little hills, or nestled away in the valleys and dells, as if hiding 
from the storms. The log cabins and the old-style rail fences do not show the 
advance in the " fine arts " displayed by some of Rock Creek's sister precincts, 
but still bear many of the traces of pioneer times. Much of the land, too, in 
quality falls below the average standard of the land in the county. There are 
some very fine spots, however, and upon these may be found the flourishing, 
well-to-do farmers of the precinct. 

Rock Creek is the smallest division of Menard County, and. taken as a 
whole, is. perhaps, one of the poorest in worldly wealth. The larger portion 
of it is timber, and much of it rough and broken in surface. The heaviest tim- 
ber is. perhaps, along Rock Creek, which meanders through it. hearing a little 
to the northeast after passing the center of the precinct, and emptying into the 
Sangamon River through Section 4. Timber borders the Sangamon River- 



3S4 HISTORY OF MENARD niUNTY. 

which forms the boundary line between this and Athens Precinct with numer- 
ous little groves besides, leaving but little prairie land. Geographically. R 

k Precinct lies south of Petersburg Precinct, east of Tallula, north of San- 
gamon County and west of Athens Precinct. Its only water-courses are Rock 
Creek and branches, and the Sangamon River — flowing along its eastern bound- 
ary, as noted above. According to (Government survey, it is pretty equally 
divided in Ranges 6 and 7 of Township 17 north, and contains but about 
twenty-three full sections of land. It has no cities or towns, neither has the 
snort of the iron horse ever echoed through its forests, disturbing the cattle 
grazing upon its "thousand hills." It is decidedly a rural district, dei 
wholly to agricultural pursuits arid home industries. In early times, it reci 
the soubriquet of '" Wolf County," but just why the name was given we could 
nut learn. Whether it was owing to the fact that wolves abounded among its 
hills and brakes, or from eome other fancied resemblance to something or some- 
body, we leave it to our readers to find out, and will now turn our attention to 

ITS i :.\ KM SETTLEMENT. 

The first cabin erected in what now forms Rock Creek Precinct, is said to have 
been built by a man named Amor Batterton. In L819, the year after Illinois 
became a State, he settled in this precinct on the place now owned by Jonas 
Combs. He had, it is stated, made a claim and built a cabin the previous 
autumn, but did not permanently locate until during the early part of 1819. 
He came from Kentucky, raised quite a large family, and has descendants still 
residing in the precinct. The same year that Batterton settled here, a man 
named RatlilT and four sons — James. Job, William and Joshua — lames Fisher 
and I (jamerel settled in the timber along the Creek. Jacob Miller 

settled at what is called Farmer's Point in 1819. Solomon Keltner and William 
benSOU came also in L819— 20, and made settlements in this neighbor; 

-mims and bis son-in-law, James Black, also came in L819— 20. 
They were from Kentucky, and of Mr. Simms we learned the following, which 
give for what it is worth without vouching for i: Q6S8 : ••That he 

was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, a great revivalist and leader at camp- 
meetings. Be established a "camp-ground" soon after he came to the neigh- 
borhood, which, for many years, was the scene of an annual camp-meeting, and 
that Borne of the old remains are still to be Been on the sacred Bpot." Mr, 
Sinn to have taken an active part in temporal as well as spiritual affairs, 

as we are told he was the first Representative in the Legislature from Sangamon 
County. At the early period of which we write, Sangamon included in its 
territory oot only Menard bul several other of the surrounding counties. He 
finally moved Wot. but to what point we did not learn. Absalom Matthews 
came also this year. Little, lowe membered of him now. This com- 

prised the settlement up to the beginning of the year 1821, when the folio 

were added to the number already here: Tarleton Lloyd. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 387 

Miller, Marshall Duncan, David S. Taylor, Mathias, James and William 
Yoakum, and, perhaps, others whose names are forgotten. Lloyd came from 
Virginia, and was born in 1784, and is now ninety-five years of age. He set- 
tled where he still lives, and says there were two log cabins on the place at the 
time. Into one of these, which was 12x16 feet, he moved his family. Two 
years after, he built a log house 18x20 feet, which has since been " weather- 
boarded," and a frame addition built to it. The house is fifty -six years old, 
and, like its venerable owner, begins to show the ravages of time. Mr. Lloyd 
says he had nothing when he came here but his household effects, etc. He 
bought a cow from a man named Shipley, for which he gave a wagon, and also 
a cow from George Greene, giving therefor a feather bed. He was a soldier in 
the war of 1812 ; served under Capt. Henry West, Fourth Regiment, and was 
in the battle at New Orleans. Miller settled in the Sangamon River bottom, 
and Duncan, on what is known as Garden Prairie. J'aylor bought the place 
settled originally by Batterton, also the claim of Matthews. The Yoakums 
came originally from Virginia, but had emigrated to Kentucky in an early day, 
whence they came to Illinois, first stopping in Madison County, then in 
Montgomery, and finally locating in this neighborhood, as above stated. Samuel 
Combs settled here in 1824, and Jonas Combs, a brother, in 1826. They came 
from Kentucky. Samuel died here years ago, and Jonas is still living on the 
place of his original settlement at an advanced age. Elihu Bone came from 
Tennessee in 1824, and bought out a man named Flynn, on Rock Creek. He 
died here in 1856. Isaac Cogdall is from Kentucky, and came to the country 
in 1826. He still lives on his original settlement, and is quite a prominent 
man in the community. Joseph Cogdall, the father of Isaac, and a Baptist 
minister, came as early as 1823. He died in 1828, and was one of the early 
deaths in the little settlement. Rev. John Berry, a Cumberland Presbyterian 
minister, came as early as 1821. He organized a church society at a very early 
day, as elsewhere noticed. 

Elijah Houghton came in 1824 and settled on Rock Creek, in this precinct. 
His father, Aaron Houghton, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. and a 
native of New Jersey, though of English origin. He emigrated to Kentucky 
when it was, in reality, the "dark and bloody ground" and the battle-field 
between the Northern and Southern Indians, as in after years it became the 
battle-field between Northern and Southern whites. Elijah Houghton was a 
man of considerable prominence in the settlement, and died in 1852. A. M. 
Houghton, a son, resides on the old homestead. Charles Houghton, a brother 
of Elijah Houghton, came in 1824. He settled on the place now owned by 
Isaac Cogdall. Robert Johnson, Jesse Vowell, Michael Davis and William 
Irwin came about 1826 to 1828. J. H. Smith was also an early settler in this 
neighborhood. He is a son of Samuel Smith, of Rhode Island. The latter 
gentleman married a Rhodes, of the family of Rhodeses for whom, it is said, 
Rhode Island was originally named. J. H. Smith is still on his original 



388 HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. 

settlement. C. J. F. Clarke may also be ranked among the early settlers. 
I [< was one of the first County Commissioners, and claims to have been the first 
County Judge of Menard County. He served eight years in the latter office, 
and four years as County Commissioner. He died some years ago in Cass 
< lounty. 

This includes all the early settlers whose names we have been able to obtain. 
There were, doubtless, others who are entitled to mention in this connection; 
but when we look 1'in'k over a period of sixty years, it is not strange that many 
of the pioneers who came to the wilderness then and remained but a short time, 
or died early, are forgotten by the few still left. We are not remembered long 
after we pass from the stage of action. 

II you or I to-day should die, 

The birdfl would sing as sweet to-morrow ; 
The vernal Spring her flowen would bring, 
\iii few would think of us with sorrow. 

lead,' would then be said ; 
The corn would floss, the grass yield hay. 
The cattle low, and summer go, 

A ml few would heed us passed away. 

• Mow soon we J > a - « ! how few, alas ! 
Remember those who turn to mold ! 
Whose (hoes fade, with minium's shade, 
itb the sodded ohnrohyard cold ! 

■ Fes it i- so. \\ V come, we go — 

They hail our birth, they mourn us dead, 
A day or more, the winter o'er, 
another takes our place instes 

It is with no intention of injustice to any one that we quote the above lines 
They are beautifully pathetic, and as true as beautiful. None miss us when we 
pass away but our immediate relatives, and in a short time they forget us, and 
laugh as merrily as when we sat beside them. Such is life, and such is human 

nature. 

\- we have already noticed. Rock Greek is the smallest precinct in the 
county, containing a little less than two-thirds of the surface area of a Con- 

uonal township. Many of its first settlers were from Kentucky and Vir- 
ginia, where timber and running water abounded in the must plentiful profusion, 
and heme looked upon the timbered borders of Rock ('reck ami the Sangamon 
as a second paradise. The prairies then were Bupposed to be "barren wasl 
that would always be useless except for pasturage. Thus it was that the early 

settlements were all made in the timber and along the water-course-. " I >rive- 
wells" had not then been invented, and to have settled out on the prairie at 

that early time would have ap] - rash a- to attempt to cross the Ghreal 

t without water. 



HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY. W!' 

CHURCHES. SCHOOLS, SHOPS, ETC. 

One of the very first church societies formed in what is now Menard County 
was the Rock Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as it is known at the 
present day. The society was originally organized by Rev. John Berry, in 
1821 or 1822. Rev. John Simms came a short time prior, and these two 
pioneer preachers laid out a camp-ground, as elsewhere noticed, in the forests 
of Rock Creek, held camp-meetings for a number of years, and the " seed sown 
in good ground" here has developed into the present Rock Creek Church, 
which stands near the line between Sections 14 and 15. The first start toward 
a church was a shed put up for the purposes of holding camp-meetings, as 
above mentioned. The next was a little log building used for both church and 
school exercises. It was, some years later, rebuilt on a more extensive scale, 
and, finally, the present elegant frame church succeeded these primitive edifices, 
and now the people of Rock Creek Precinct have quite a handsome temple of 
worship. Revs. Berry and Simms were the first preachers of this denomina- 
tion, and laid the foundation of this prosperous church almost sixty years ago. 
The present Pastor of the Rock Creek Church is Rev. J. C. Momeyer. A 
Sunday school is conducted during the summer season. This is the only church 
edifice in the precinct. A neat little parsonage is attached to it for the accom- 
modation of the minister. There is also a cemetery adjacent, in which repose 
many of the pioneers both of the Church and the neighborhood. It is laid out 
with taste, well kept, and inclosed with a substantial fence. Rev. Joseph Cog- 
dall was also an early preacher in this settlement, and belonged to the Baptist 
denomination. 

The first school taught in the present precinct of Rock Creek, is said to have 
been taught by a man named Cumpton, in 1824-25, in a little log cabin, on 
the place settled by Tarleton Lloyd. Another of the pioneer pedagogues was 
Ira McGlasson, who taught in a log cabin, near Andrew Houghton's, probably 
the next year after Humphreys. The precinct, at present, has five, comfort- 
able and commodious schoolhouses, all of which are brick or frame, and in 
which schools are maintained during the usual term each year. The people are 
alive to the benefits of education, and have secured ample facilities for educating 
their children. The following, which is said to have occurred in this precinct, 
will illustrate the early educational advantages of a new country: A young man 
applied to the proper authority (an old farmer) for a school in the neighborhood. 
The old gentleman deeming an examination necessary, put him to reading the 
Bible as a test of his qualifications. It so happened that the young man opened 
the book in Genesis, at the genealogical record, and, after reading for a time in 
those jaw-breaking names, the old fellow stopped him, and said, "lie guessed 
he'd do to keep school thai - ,' and that he might write out a certificate. The 
young man complied, and, after writing the certificate, handed it to the old man 
to sign, who remarked, "you sign my name and I'll make my mark, I can't 
write it myself." 



HI>T MENARD COUNTY. 

Tarlet^n LI - locksmith, and opened a shop as early u 

322-2 the work in this line for the surrounding country. A mill 

was built by Rev. Mr. Simms. in 1823, the first in this region. It was a prini- 
Liffair. and propelled by h rack corn for hominy, 

and even wtu », as an old settler informe 

has long since passe*: ind milling done at other points. 

The first Jusl - ' have been a man of the name 

- .mong the early setth the Bon- 

of the Peace in "Wolf Counl 'ids precinct is familiarly 

called. In illustration of thest- early courts, the foil Id at the expense 

- neighbors got into a wrangle over a debt which 
one owed the other, and which he had pro: pay in hogs. In the fall, 

when the deb ave been paid, hogs happened _ rice, so the 

iivered to his creditor a sow and pigs, which he 
com. ifilled his obligation, as they were hogs. The creditor demurred, 

and a suit was the result. It came up before Squire Syniard for trial, and. 
after patientlv hearing both sides of the question, he rendered judgment in favor 
of the creditor, deciding that, legally, a sow and pigs were not hogs. A 
offie- ablished in the precinct in 1877. called I. ice. after 

the oldest li\ : >n the creek, east of 1- j lall's. and is kept 

by L. B. ' * :.:>ver. 

Politicallv. Rock Creek is Dei. I • the backbone. Farmer's Point is 

the voting-place. During the late is loyal, and turned out as larg 

number of soldiers to its | any neighborhood in the county. The 

iunteered into the regime: section, which 

drew their chief strength from Menard, and among which were the Fourteenth 
and One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiments. Illinois Infantry. Thi- precinct 
rect ime from B k. which meanders through it from etc 

er the creek was named for the rock in and about it. or be 
all things must have a name, we do not know, but leave it to our readers to find 
This comprises the history of this little precinct. The territory being 
small, and without vil _ ■ - there is littb ad the settle- 

ments made within its bor 





1 





^. 0fc /a 



HAVANA 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



B V GEN. JAMES M. RUGGLES. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



History is but the footprints upon the sands of time, by which we trace the 
growth, development and advancement of the people constituting a nation. It 
takes note of the humblest tiller of the soil as well as of the scholar, the states- 
man, the soldier, and the great and good men and women who build the 
imperishable monuments of a country's greatness. 

Tradition tells us of the glories of the garden of Eden, and the purity and 
happiness of the first pair, and also of their transgression and fall from their 
high and happy estate. Of the men and things that existed in the world 
during the many dark centuries that precede the historic period, we know 
nothing, except through rude hieroglyphics and vague traditions, handed down 
through the beclouded minds of unlettered and superstitious people. 

Beginning with the age of letters and improvements in the languages 
of the world, followed by the modern inventions of printing types and presses, 
and the immense institution of the daily newspaper and telegraph, minute and 
reliable records of the world's daily doings are chronicled, and out of these 
veritable history is formulated. 

The multiplicity of inventions and discoveries, resulting from a rapid growth 
of intelligence, during the last half-century, has produced the necessary con- 
ditions for the production of a more perfected type of the genus homo, by 
whom the world is peopled, and through whom history of a still higher order 
will be furnished for those who may live in the hereafter. 

The events that make up the annals of a new and growing country will 
always be of interest to the seeker after knowledge, who may in them learn who 
has lived and what has been done in the past ages of the world. The time is 
approaching when ignorance of the world's historic past will be a reproach, 
however it may be as to a lack of knowledge of the future ! 

America constitutes a great nation of people, made up from the populations 
of many other nations, and Illinois is one of the greatest and most highly 
favored by nature of all the thirty-eight States : extending as it does over a 
range of five and a half degrees of latitude, causing a more varied climate than 



392 BISTORT OF M L80K COUNTY 

any other State, and for its fertility of soil is unsurpassed in the world ; thus 
making Illiii"is the jeweled crown in our glorious Union. 

MASON 

Mason is one of the hundred and two counties of Illinois, and is entitled 

to her place ui the local history that makes up that <>t' th< 9 in its intelli- 

gence, enterprise and industrial wealth and prosperity. The patient toil and 
hardships of its pioneers, living in their rude huts and log cabins, as well as 
the noble and patriotic deeds of its public men in later years, and the gallantry 
of its soldiers on the battle-field are a part of the pride and glory of the State 

and the nation. 

Tin- territory that constitutes the county of Mason has been subjected to 
many changes Bince the discovery and settlement of America. Originally, or, 
rather, as far hack as we know, it belonged to Mr. 

" Lo, the poor [ndian, win.se untutored mind, 

Qod in oloodfl and bean Him in the wind I 

Who Mr. Lo got it from we may never know ; that once the red men lived 
here in their home- we do know. On the bluff hanks of the Illinois River, at 
Havana and Bath, they occupied their villages, and builded their mounds (pro- 
Tiding always that they were not built by aomc other people who lived here 
before them) in which they buried then- dead and deposited their wares and 
implement- of war. where these trophies of the ages of the past may still be 
found. Undisturbed in those days by the pale-faeed race, beneath the shadows 
of the rude wigwam, 

••The [ndian •» 1 liis duskj maid, 

Anl iln> red fox dug liis hole unseal 

These mounds, ami the relics they contain, are the only historic chapters 
handed down to us to tell of the people whose moccasined feet once pre 
upon the Bands that bonier upon our beautiful river. With those people there 
no learned men to chronicle the history they were making, though among 

them unlettered sages and warriors there may have been. 

With us. how different. We know the 0866 of letter-, printing presses, 
books and telegraphs, and there is DO reason why we should die and leave no 

The history we are making can be handed down to posterity, in the 

that are to OOme, for thousands of year-, when other and higher race- of men 
shall have taken our places in populating and controlling the destinies of the 

great American continent. 

i lom.: peii.,, I. the territory constituting the county of Mason and the 
State of Illin"i-. wa- dominated by the French nation, whose brave pioi 

Were the first of the white r.i ad upon its soil and upon its 

riv> I 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 393 



EARLY HISTORY. 



In the year 1678, Louis Joliet, a French trader, and James Marquette, a 
Jesuit missionary, who had possibly received a call, started out from Green 
Bay on a voyage of successful discovery of the great Father of Waters, which 
the Indians informed them flowed southward through the great west country. 
Going up the Fox River and crossing over the narrow portage into the Wiscon- 
sin, they in due time came to the Mississippi, on the ample bosom of which 
they floated down to the mouth of the Arkansas. At this point, they became 
satisfied that the great river emptied itself into the Gulf of Mexico, and. 
they were satisfied with the situation and did not propose to make any changes 
in the course of the river, or put any jetties in its mouth, they retraced their 
voyage up to the mouth of the Illinois River, and up that stream to Chicago, 
via the Des Plaines, passing by Havana, and perhaps Bath, on their way. 

Tradition says that these men of God and Mammon stopped upon the bluflf 
where Havana now stands, and had a grand fish-fry, but it does not inform us 
that they had the incomparable culinary services of Judge Mallory on that 
occasion! In their piscatorial exploits, it is said they lost a "spoon hook," 
and from this little incident, the river coming in on the opposite side was called 
Spoon River ! 

As the writer has not had the pleasure of interviewing these distinguished 
strangers, or of examining their notes of travel, he cannot vouch for the truth 
of the incident ; but it is highly probable that these were the first white men 
that trod upon the soil of Mason County, while passing up the river on an 
excursion, some two hundred and six years ago ! 

A few years after this, two other French explorers — La Salle, a trader and 
explorer, and Father Hennepin, another Jesuit missionary — passed from the 
St. Joseph River into the Kankakee, and down that river into the Illinois. 

After the visits of these four French gentlemen, there is no record of this 
portion of the country being visited by a white man for nearly one hundred 
and fifty years ! It was, no doubt, a favorite hunting and fishing ground for 
the Indians, as there is evidence of its abounding in buffalo, elk. deer, and 
other choice game, as well as fish in abundance, making it the land of "the 
happy hunting-grounds." 

In the year 17t> :> >. the French nation, after a long and exhaustive war, sur- 
rendered the Northwest Territory (including Mason County and the State of 
Illinois) to England, the transfer having been arranged at the treaty of Pans. 

One of the most celebrated Indians of history was Pontiac, the chief of 
the Ottawas. of Michigan. After the surrender of the Northwest, by the 
French, Pontiac for awhile contested the claims of the English, and was known 
as their most bitter and formidable foe. 

When he could no longer maintain the contest, he left the vicinity of 
Detroit, where he was born and had always lived, and with the remnant of his 



894 HISTORY OF MAS NTT. 

once powerful tribe about two hundred warriors and their families), found 
refuge on the banks of the Kankakee, near Wilmington, Will County, where 
he merged the remnant of hie tribe with the Pottawatomies. 

This region of country was claimed by the Illinois tribe of Indians, and a 
conflict arose between the tribes as to the right to hunt the buffalo on the • 
of the Illinois liner. Alter fighting for a time over the question, a council 
was agreed upon to Bettle the question. 

Tins Council met at Mount Joliet (near the city of Joliet), in 170'.'. Whilst 
Pontine was making b Bpeech on his side of the question, he was treacherously 

— mated by *' Kim-bo..." the head chief of the Illinois tribe. 

This treacherous ad led to the bloody war which resulted in the destruction 

of the great Indian city "La Vantam, ' which Btood upon the site where the 
little town of Utica, in La Salle County, is now built, and also to the tragedy 
of Starved Rock, not far distant, and to the final extinction of the once great 
nation of Indians from whom the State took its name. 

Tli. treaty of Paris, in 1763, terminated the rule of France over the North- 
west, and it passed into the British possession, which circumstance somewhat 
changed the type of religion and civilization of this country. Many of the 
earls explorers, missionaries and traders, remained, and of these and their 
descendants it is estimated that two thousand were still within the boundaries 
of the State at the time of its admission in the Union, in 1818. Now there 
arc hut a few local names to remind us that the French nation once exercised 
the right of eminent domain in the State of Illii, 

The termination of the Revolutionary war — begun in 1 7 7 • '» . and ending in the 
treaty with England, in 1783 — brought the Territory of the Northwest under 
the dominion of the United States, and by the treaty of 1833, a; Chicago, with 
the Pottawatomiee, the red man surrendered his right of domain also. In 
ls:j5. these Indians, numbering five thousand, assembled at Chicago, received 

their annuity, danced their last war dance in Illinois, and took up their line of 

march toward the setting sun. on the far-off Missouri Rivi 

During the progress of the Revolutionary war. Lieut. Col. Greorge l> 
('lark, of Virginia, organised a military expedition to subdue and capture the 
Northwest Territory, then inhabited by a va-t horde of savaje Indians, belong- 
ing to many tribes, and BOme French settlements along the river borders. On 
the 4th day of duly. 177 v . with his little army of grim-visaged warrior.-, con- 
sisting of 800 men. all jaded and WOm down with the fatigues ami hardshii 
(breed marches aCTOSS the Country from the Ohio River, wading through mai- 
BWampfl and stream--, without roads or supplies in the o-untry. he arrived at the 

French town of Kaskaskia, surprised and captured the town ami military forti 

without firing a gun. The capture of Cahokia and Fort Vincent mow the city 

of Vincennes), soon followed, and thus, without the shedding of blood, but with 
immense Buffering and hardships, was secured the whole Northwest Territor 
the property of the State of Virginia, by right of conquest, and bo remaining 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. B93 

until, by the Ordinance of 1787, passed on the 13th of July, it was transferred 
to the United States, under certain conditions as to the formation of States ami 
other matters. 

In October, 1778, the Virginia Assembly erected the conquered territory 
of the Northwest into the county of Illinois: a pretty extensive county, which 
has since been carved into five States — Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and 
Wisconsin — with a population of over eight millions of people ! 

On the 5th of October, 1787, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was by Congress 
elected Governor of the Northwest Territory. In February, 1788, Gov. St. 
Clair, with his Secretary, arrived at Kaskaskia and proceeded to organize all 
of the State lying north of the mouth of the Little Mackinaw, in Tazewell 
County, into the county of St. Clair, thus making her the mother of all the 
102 counties of the State ! The county was divided into three Judicial Dis- 
tricts, a Court of Common Pleas established, with three Judges appointed, viz : 
John Edgar, an Englishman, of Kaskaskia, John Babtiste Barbeau, a French- 
man, of Prairie du Rocher, and John D. Moulin, a native of Switzerland, of 
Cahokia, each to hold court in the district of his residence every three months, 
making what was called the " Court of Quarterly Sessions," the first court 
established in Illinois. 

By act or" Congress, May 7, 1800, the territory constituting the States of 
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, then containing a white population 
of 1,875; negro slaves, 135, and an estimated population of 100,000 Indians, 
was organized into the Territory of Indiana, with the seat of government 
established at Vincennes, and, on the 13th of May, William Henry Harrison,, 
afterward President of the United States, was appointed Governor of the Ter- 
ritory, thus dispensing with Gov. St. Clair, who had become very unpopular. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY OF ILLINOIS. 

On the 11th of January, 1805, Congress passed an act cutting off the 
peninsula of Michigan from the Territory of Indiana and forming the Territory 
of Michigan ; and, on the 3d of February, 1809, all that part of Indiana Ter- 
ritory lying west of the Wabash River and a line drawn due north from the 
river at Vincennes to the line between the United States and Canada, was, by 
act of Congress, set apart into the Territory of Illinois, the act to take effect 
on the 1st of March, 1809. This included what is now the State of Wisconsin. 
The population at that time was estimated at 9,000, leaving about double that 
number in Indiana. The entire Territory at that time composed but two coun- 
ties, St. Clair and Randolph. 

The formation of the Territory of Illinois, at that time, was due to the 
election and subsequent efforts of Jesse B. Thomas, (then a resident of Indi- 
ana), as a delegate to Congress. By pledging himself in a bond to procure the 
formation of the Territory, he secured the united vote of Illinois, and after a 



896 BISTORT OF MASON OODNTT. 

bitter oontesl lie was electeil by one majority, and if there is truth in history 
that one vote which made the majority was caal by himself! 

The population of the Territory of Illinois, by the census of 1810, con- 
i of 11,501 whites. 168 slaves and 618 of all others, except Indians. 
NTinian Edwards, then Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, 
appointed Brat Governor of the Territory of Illinois by Presidenl Madison, 
his commission bearing date April -\. hn'. 1 ; and Jesse B. Thomas, Alexander 
rt and William Sprigg were appointed the three first Judges of the Ter- 
ritory. 

Bdwards continued in office as Governor until the organisation of the 
in l v l v — the act providing for which passed on the 18th of April, ami 
the admission of which was on the 3d of December. 

I hiring the war with England, in 1812, (Jov. Edwards headed a military 
expedition, composed of 350 men, against Peoria Lake, then the abode of 
al Indian tribes — an Indian village at the head of the lake and a French 
town and fort at the lower end, where Peoria City now stands. In this expedi- 
tion the Indian village was destroyed, the inhabitants dispersed, killed and 
captured, and the town was also burned and the inhabitants taken prisoners 
down the river. The expedition returned to Camp Russell, near the present. 
town of Kdward-ville. from which it had marched out on the 18th of October, 
after an absence of thirteen days, without the loss of a man. 

A -eeond expedition to Peoria left Camp Russell in 1818, passing up the 
Mississippi to where the city of Quincy now Btands, and from thence across to 

the Illinois River, at the mouth of Spoon River, atid from thence to l'eoria, 
where the soldiers built Fort (Mark, which was burned down in 1818, and the 
town was again rebuilt in 1819 — this first time by American pioneers. The 
French fort. Crevecoeur, was built in 1680, and the first European settlement 
at that place was in 1 77 v 

iie time of the organisation of the State in 1818, Illinois was composed 
of fifteen counties, viz.: St. ('lair. Randolph, Madison. Gallatin, dohnson, 
Bdwards, White. .Monro.-. Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington 

and Franklin, and contained a supposed population of 4<>.iiiin people. 
POPULATION ami KBPRB8] vr \ HON. 

The population of Illinois in 1810 was! md the Territory 

represented by one delegate in I 

The population of 1820 was 55,211, with one member of Congress — Daniel 
P. < look, who was the first member of < Songress sleeted from the State of Illinois. 

In the year L830, the population of the State was 157,445, and three mem- 
f < iongress were accorded to the St 

In 1840, the population of the State was 176,188, and seven members were 
given to the State. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 397 

In 1850, the population was 851,470, and nine members of Congress were 
apportioned to the State. 

In 1860, the population was 1,711,051, and fourteen members of Congress 
were given to the State. 

In 1870, the population had swelled to 2,539,831, and the State is repre- 
sented by nineteen members of Congress, and now there are but two States in 
the Union that have a greater population or more wealth than the State of 

Illinois. 

GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 

As a matter of interest to those who are interested in the political history 
of the State, a list of the Governors who have filled the executive department 
of Illinois from its organization as a Territory down to the present date, is here 
given, with the date and time which they served. 

Ninian Edwards was the first Governor of the Territory of Illinois, serv- 
ing from 1809 to 1818. 

Shadrach Bond was the fiist Governor of the State, serving from 1818 to 
1822. 

Edward Coles was the second Governor, serving from 1822 to 1826. 

Ninian Edwards was the third Governor of the State, serving from 1826 
to 1830. 

John Reynolds, the Old Ranger, served as the fourth Governor, from 1830 
to 1834. 

Joseph Duncan served as the fifth Governor, from 1834 to 1838. 

Thomas Carlin served as the sixth Governor, from 1838 to 1842. 

Thomas Ford was the seventh Governor, serving from 1842 to 1846. 

Augustus Ciesar French was the eighth Governor, serving from 1846 to 
1849, when the new Constitution was adopted, and after which he was again 
elected, and served from 1849 to 1853. 

Joel A. Matteson served as the ninth Governor, from 1853 to 1857 — the 
last of the line of Democratic Governors. 

William H. Bissell, the tenth Governor, was the first of the list which fol- 
lows of Republican Governors. He served from 1857 to the 11th of March, 
1860, when death removed him from the executive chair, which he had filled 
with great ability and to the entire satisfaction of the people who elected him. 
This is the first and only instance of a Governor dying during his term of 
oifice in Illinois. 

John Wood, Lieutenant Governor, served out the balance of the term »t 
Gov. Bissell, ending with 1861. 

Richard Yates, the great war Governor of Illinois, served as the eleventh 
Governor, from 1861 to 1865. 

Richard J. Oglesby. the popular soldier, served as the twelfth Governor, 
from 1865 to 1869. 

John M. Palmer was the thirteenth Governor, serving from 1869 to 1878. 



398 BISTORT OP MASON OOUHTY. 

ard J. Oglesby was elected again, as the fourteenth Governor, in 1872, 
but declined to serve, having been elected to 1 1 1 « - United States Senate. 

John L. Beveridge, elected Lieutenant Governor, served as the fourteenth 

Governor, from 1873 to 1877. 

Shelhy M. Cnllom mu elected the fifteenth .Governor of Illinois, his term 

aing in 1877 and ending in l vv l. 
With all these fifteen < i'Vernors of Illinois (except the first three), it has been 
the privilege of the writer to have had a personal acquaintance and more or 
ntimate relations, and out of that knowledge has grown a profound respect 
for the high qualities generally possessed by them. 

UNITED STATES SENATORS. 

The following is the roll of United States Senators who have represented 
the State of Illinois in that august body since the foundation of the State in 
1818. It is complete, and contains many illustrious names that stand high upon 
the scroll of fame : 

Ninian Edwards was elected and served as one of the first Senators from 
Illinois from October 18, 1818, to the 4th of March, 1819. 

I.--.- II. Thomas was also elected at the same time as one of the first Sen- 
ators, serving from October 18, 1818, to March 4, 1 S "J">. 

Ninian Edwards was elected his own successor from March 4. 1819, to 
March 4. 1825, but, having resigned in 1824, to accept the post of Minister to 
Mexico, John McLean was elected in November, 1 S J4. to till out the unex- 
pired term of Gov. Edwards. 

Jesse B. Thomas was re-elected as his own successor, and served from 
March 4. 1828, to March 4, 1829. 

Blias K- nt Kane was elected the successor of John McLean, serving from 
March 1. 1825, to March 4. L881. 

John McLean was elected the successor of de-se I'.. Thomas, and served 
from March 4. 1829, to the time of his death, in 1880. 

John M. Robinson was elected December 11. I s -*'.". to fill the unexpired 
term of Mr. McLean, and served until March 4. 1885. 

Blias K Kaie- was again elected as his own sucoesssor, and served from March 

4. 1 88 1 . to the time of his death, which occurred on the 11th of 1 December, I ! 

William Lee I >. Bwing was elected to till the unexpired term of Mr. Kane. 
from the 20th of December, 1885, to the 4th of March. 1 - 

.John M. Robinson was again elected as his own successor, and served from 
March l. 1885, to March t. L841. 

Richard M, Young was elected as the successor of Gen. Bwing, and served 

from March \. 1887, to March 4. 1848. 

Samuel McRobertS, the first native Illinoisan elected to the Sena!' 

elected a< the successor of Gen. Etobinson, ami served from March I, 1841, to 

the time of his death, which occurred 00 the 22d of March, 1843. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 399 

■Tames Semple was elected and filled the unexpired term of Mr. McRoberts, 
ending March 4, 1S47. 

Sidney Breese was elected the successor' of Mr. Young, and served from 
March 4. 1843, to March 4. 1849. 

Stephen Arnold Douglas was elected the successor of James Semple, and 
served from March 4, 1847, to March 4, 1853. 

James Shields was elected the successor of Sidney Breese, and served from 
March 4, 1849, to March 4, 1855. Gen. Shields was refused a seat in the 
Senate on account of not having been naturalized the necessary length of time. 
He was re-elected and admitted, having then been a citizen the required time. 

Stephen A. Douglas was elected his own successor, serving from March 4, 
1853, to March 4, 1859. 

Lyman Trumbull was elected the successor of Gen. Shields, and served from 
March 4, 1855, to March 4, 1861. 

Stephen A. Douglas was for the third and last time elected as his own 
successor, from the 4tb of March, 1859, after a most brilliant, giant contest in 
1858 with Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Douglas died soon after the opening of the 
war, in 1861, leaving an imperishable name as the most illustrious of all the 
Illinois Senators. 

Orville H. Browning was. in 1861, appointed by Gov. Yates as the suc- 
cessor of Mr. Douglas. 

Lyman Trumbull was elected his own successor, and served from March 4, 
1861, to March 4, 1867. 

William A. Richardson was elected, in 1863, to fill out the unexpired term 
of Judge Douglas, ending March 4, 1865. 

Richard Yates was elected the successor of Mr. Richardson, and served 
with distinction as Senator from March 4, 1865, to March 4, 1871. 

Lyman Trumbull was fur the third term elected his own successor, and 
served with great distinction in the Senate for eighteen years, his last term 
beginning March 4, 1867, and ending March 4, 1873. 

John A. Logan was the successor of Gov. Yates, and was the second native 
Qlinoisan elected to thai exalted position, which he held from March 4. 1871, 
to March 4. 1S77. 

Richard J. Oglesby was the successor of Judge Trumbull, and served in 
the Senate from March 4. 1873, to March 4. 1*879. 

David Davis was the successor of Gen. Logan, and was elected for the term 
beginning March 4. ls77, and ending March 4. 1883. 

John A. Loujmii was a second time elected to the Senate as the successor 

of Gov. Oglesby. His term began on the 4th of March, L879, and will end 

March 4. 1885. Thus ends the roll of illustrious Senators for Illinois up to 
the present time. Of the nineteen men who have filled the high position, the 
writer was honored with the acquaintance of all hut the four first-named, and 
among them were a Dumber of great men, and none of small caliber. 



400 HISTORY OF MASON OOUNTT 



\h \l;ll - \M> TO] R M'ln OF [LLINOI8. 

Qlinois is bounded on the north by the State of Wisconsin; <>n the east by 
Lake Michigan, and the State- of Indiana and Kentucky ; on the Bouth by Ken- 
tucky, and "ii the west by Missouri and Iowa. It- extent in length is 380 miles, 
and in breadth al the north end, 145 miles, extending in the middle to -_" 
miles, and thence south narrowing t<> a point. It has an area of 55,405 
miles and contains 35,459,200 acres of land, nearly all <>f which is fit for culti- 
vation. The outline of the State is aboul 1,160 mil*-- in extent, 850 of which 
consists of navigable water.-. The Bection of country lying near the southern 
limits of the lake country forms a summit from which the plane inclines to the 
south and weal to the lower end of tin- State, at Cairo, where the lower section 
of the plane is only 350 feet above the Bea level, whereas al the upper, or north- 
ern end of tin- plane it rises as high as 900 feet. This incline gives a southern 
luthwestern direction to the principal rivers in the State. The general -m- 
of this plane is quite level, though there are Borne hills in the two ends of 
the State and along the Qlinois and Mississippi Rivers. The arable elevation 
of the plane is about eight hundred feet above the level of the Bea, and the mean 
beight is about five hundred and fifty feet. 

The principal river of the State is the Qlinois, formed by the junction of 
Kankakee, taking its rise in Indiana, and the Deeplainee, with its head in 
Wisconsin, and uniting in Grundy County, and Bowing from thence west and 
south to its entrance into the Mississippi, on the Bouth line of Jersey County, 
at an elevation of aboul four hundred feet above the level of the sea. The 
banks of the riser are generally low and subject to overflow in times of high 
water. The high waters of the Mississippi have backed up the Illinois as far as 
Havana — the fall from thence to the Mississippi being fifteen feet. The tribu- 
taries of the Qlinois are the Fos River, which comesfrom the north, in Wiscon- 
sin, and enter- the Qlinois al Ottawa, forty miles below the head of the river. 
Opposite the city of La Salle, the Vermilion enters the river — a good, large mill 
stream, coming in from the southeast. Sixty miles further down, the river enters 
Peoria Lake, an expansion of the river continuing twenty miles to the city of 
Peoria, ami about two miles in width, with deep clear water, and no perceptible 
current — making it a beautiful Bheet of water, abounding with fish, and lined 
nil either Bide by high and grand-looking bluflb. Three miles below the citj of 
Pekin, the Mackinaw comes in from it- Bource, Bome eighty miles east, a turbu- 
lent stream of no use except for drainagi N I comes in the beautiful Quiver 
River, a small stream withoul timber belts — a good discharge of clear water fur- 
nishes fine fish and two ven good fiouring-milL — it is a Mason County enter- 
prise — beginning and ending in the county, discharging into the Illinois two 
miles above Havana. Opposite Havana, the Spoon River enter.-. It is quite a 
large river, waterings large portion of the military tract, heading some eighty 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4<>1 

miles north and meandering through several counties to its mouth in Fulton 
County. Eight miles above Beardstown the Sangamon enters from the east. It 
is the largest of all the tributaries of the Illinois, some one hundred and lift \ 
miles in length, and lias been in the past navigable as high up as Springfield. 
On its bluff' banks below Petersburg was once the town of Salem, the home of 
one of the immortals — Abraham Lincoln — who navigated the river as a llatbo.it- 
man. It forms the southern boundary of Mason County up to the mouth of 
Salt Creek, a large tributary of the Sangamon, which is the southern boundary 
of the county to where it joins on to Logan County. East of Springfield, the 
river divides into the north and south fork — the former passing near Decatur, 
through Macon, Piatt, Champaign and Ford Counties, and the latter south through 
( Jhristian County — the several branches watering and draining an immense area of 
fbe most fertile soil of the State. It has wide bottom lands subject to overflow, 
except when protected by levees, which is being done extensively in Mason 
County. On its banks is a heavy growth of timber, once valuable for its walnut, 
oak. hickory and other kinds of trees. These bottoms abound in wild plums, 
pawpaws, persimmons, pecans, and other fruits ami nuts. It was here that the 
poet Bryant found 

•• The wild cup of the Sangamon," 

a gorgeous trumpet flower that twines about the trees on the bank of the river. 
Crooked Creek is an extensive water-course that enters the Illinois six miles 
below Beardstown, and waters a portion of the military tract. Below Crooked 
Creek, on the east side of the river, enters Indian Creek, in the lower end of 
Cass County; Mauvaisterre and Sandy, in Scott County, and Apple Creek and 
Macoupin Creek, in Greene County. McKee's Creek, on the west side of the 
river, enters opposite Naples, and is the farthest down of all the streams that 
water the military tract. These streams generally traverse rich portions of the 
State, furnishing necessary drainage, water and timber. 

The Illinois is one of the finest navigable streams in the world for boats of 
light draft, the fall being only about one inch to the mile, and the currenl gentle, 
with soft, sandy bottom, securing the greatest safety and ease of navigation. It 
was once the great highway of commerce for a vast region of country on both 
sides of the river, and continued so until the introduction of railroads, since which 
there lias been a great decline in river business. The navigation of the river by 
steamboats began in 1828, and. in 1836, there were as many as thirty-five steam- 
boats navigating the river. The number of arrivals and departures for that 
year at tlie port of Havana was 450. The boating business increased and 
improved in character until the river packets became immense floating-palaces, 
carrying immense crowds of people and entertaining them in the most sumptu- 
ous manner. This mode of travel and means of commerce culminated some 
twenty years ago, and dwindled down to the present time, when one semi-weekly 
packet boat does the entire business from Peoria to St. Louis, with the help of 
some local packets from points below. 



402 BISTORT OP MASON COUNTY. 

The improvement of the river by locks, dams and other means may bring 
back m portion of this vasl trade; bul at the preeenl time the railroads have it 
mostly their own way. 

< lanal-boating on the river was once a business of Large proportions, and this 
to Bome extent, the cause of decline in the steamboating business. Canal- 
boats nsed to line the river and Mock up the ports with their numbers a1 a not 
\erv remote period, and they took in the corn, wheat, |><irk :in<l other products 
during the winter, and carried them to market, either north or south, when the 
river opened, ;iml all this was doneal low rates. Now. however, they are not fasl 
enough to -nit the age. There are those, in these degenerate days, who would 
rather "go to hell in m minute" than spend ;i little time in fitting themselves for 
heaven. 

I Hi: [LLINOIS \M- MICHIG \N I \ N \l.. 

ii- greal work has always been ;i matter of especial interest to the peo- 
ple li\iiiL r upon the I. order- of the Illinois River, m short chapter is devoted to 
thai Bubject. 

The project of a ship canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with 
the navigable waters, of the Illinois River was firsl -u;_ r :_ r c-ted during the war of 
1812 by a writer in Niles' Register. The war bad demonstrated the immense 

advantages of BUch ;i work in time of peace, a- well a- war. It was one of the 

compensations of that war. to the West, that it was the mean- of directing 
attention to this portion of the L r re;it Western country. Iii L816, the title to a 
strip of country twenty miles wide was obtained from the Indians for the pur- 
pose of securing ;i route for this work. In 1821, an appropriation of sin. mm 
was made by Congress for a preliminary survey of the canal and for a survey of 
the twenty-mile strip. Shadrach Bond, firsl Governor of Illinois, in hi- firsl 
i_'e. called attention to the importance :ind feasibility of the work. A sur- 
vey was made, in accordance with the law of Congress, and the project pro- 
nounced feasible and highly important. 

In 1826, Congress donated to the State. for the purpose of constructing the 
canal, every alternate section of land within a strip ten mile- wide along the 
route from Chicago to La Sail.- — a magnificenl domain of 300,000 acres. In 
1829, tie Genera] Assembly of the State passed an act, creating a Hoard of 
< 'anal < lommissioners, and authorized them — not to enter upon the work of build- 
ing ;i canal, bul to sell the hind- and give to Bottlers pre-emptions on the same, 
by which many old settler- obtained their home-.. Fortunately, the folly oftnis 
course was soon discovered and the acl repealed. At the session of 1884 

another act was pa--ed. creating :i new ('anal Hoard, and authorising the G 

ernor to negotiate bonds for construction, and pledging the canal lands for 
their redemption. At thai time, however, the immense value of these land- was 
not appreciated by the capitalists who had money to loan, and it was nol until at 
a special session of the Legislature, in 1835, through the greal exertions of Col. 
.1. M. Strode, of Galena, (who then represented the entire region north of Peoria 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 405 

in the State Senate), the acl was so amended as to pledge the faith of the State 

for their redemption, thai the bonds could be negotiated. The hoods were nego- 
tiated by Gov. Duncan in 1836, and in the same year preparations were made 
for active work. 

William B. Archer. Gurdon S. Hubbard and William K. Thornton, all 
Colonels — as most men were in those days— were the first Commissioners, and 
they fortunately chose William Gooding as Chief Engineer. Subsequent changes 
brought dames B. Fry — another Colonel — into the Board. The first ground 
was broken at Bridgeport on the 4th of duly, 1836, and the eVenl was celebra- 
ted in grand style, with an address from Dr. Egan. The work was hegun on 
the ''deep-cut" plan, by which the canal was to he fed from the waters of the 
lake, through the Chicago River, as is now done. 

At the time of letting the first contracts, the speculative mania was at its 
height, and labor and supplies were at a high figure — laborers getting from $20 
bo $30 per month, with hoard; pork, $20 to $30 per barrel ; Hour, $9 to $12 per 
barrel, and other things in proportion — and the contracts were predicated upon 
these high prices. To facilitate the transportation of supplies, what is called 
the "Archer Road" was built from Chicago to Lockport, at an expense of 
$40,000, which created some scandal, on account of Mr. Archer being the pro- 
prietor of an addition to Lockport. The work was continued by means of the 
money raised upon the bonds, canal lands and lots in Chicago. Lockport, Ottawa 
and La Salle, until the year 1842, when, after an outlay of over $5,000,000, 
the work was suspended. 

The enterprise was hegun when everything had to be done in the most 
expensive way. and when the country was on the eve of a financial crash, yet 
the State could have gone through with it, and maintained her credit, if other 
wild projects had not been connected with it. 

The central and southern portions of the State, jealous of their own imme- 
diate interests. Looked upon the canal as a northern project, got up for its 
exclusive benefit, and so they formed a syndicate, as it were, and insisted that, 
as the price of their votes for further appropriations to the canal, the balance of 
the State should have all the railroads that were called for by the syndicate — 
and. in the year 1837, an act was passed, which ultimately ruined the credit of 
the State and v)\<\>h\ in financial disaster. By this act, a loan of $S,0(H),()i)0 
was authorized, on the faith of the State, for the purpose of gridiroriing the 
State with railroads, and a S4, 000,000 loan for the further prosecution of the 
canal. Tin- sum of $200,000, out of the eight-million loan, was to be given out 
to the few counties that got no promise of a railroad, for the ostensible purpose 
of constructing roads and bridges. 

Absurd as this scheme was. at that time, loans were readily obtained to 
the extent of nearly $6,000,000, for the purpose of carrying it out. As a 
result of all this outlay, the only railroad ever built under this stupendous 
scheme of folly, was a short line of railroad from Springfield to the Illinois 

H 



406 HI8TOB1 OF mason 0OUHTY. 

al Meredona, fifty-five miles of road, with strap iron for mils, nine miles 

of which were completed iti the year l s;, > s . and over which the writer of this 
had bis first ride upon the first trip of this first railroad built in Illinois and in 
the Mississippi Valley. Much work was dune on other road-, hut before any 
other one was completed, the collapse came, and the work on the roads was sus- 
pended — never to he resumed. 

The financial and commercial prostration that struck the Bast in 1837, was 

held in check tor a tiniehv the enormous expenditures of money upon OUT public 
Works, and the work was continued under difficulties on the canal, by the help 
of canal scrip, and other devices, until the year 1*4.!. when the work was 

stopped entirely for want <»t' means u> continue it. By L r >eai exertion, the 

inter.-! on the canal debt was paid tor the year 1841, hut DO provision could he 

made tor anything more. 

In the latter part of tin- year 1840, a debt of si 1,237,3 I s had heeii con- 
tracted to be paid by a population of 178,929 — nearly thirty dollars per capita 

for each and every man. woman and child in the State. The canal deht was 

over live millions. :it the time tin- work ceased, and the contractors abandoned 
their jobs, and claimed heavy damages, and things began to look pretty blue tor 

the State. An act W&S afterward pa--cd providing for a settlement with them 
and limiting the amount to $230,000. 

The canal could not. of course, lie allowed to remain long in this condition 

— for the bondholders were equally interested with us in devising some means 
for it- early completion — it being too important and too costly an enterprise io 
be abandoned. At the session of the Legislature, 1842 !•'•. an act was passed 

which accomplished the purpose. By the provisions of this act. the canal it-elf 

and all the unsold lots and land- Were transferred to a Hoard of three TrUfi 

— two to he chosen l»v the bondholders and one by the Governor of the State. 
The bondholders agreed to advance the further sum of $1,600,000 to complete 

anal on the cheaper plan of a high level. The Trustee- were to prosecute 
the work and retain possession of the canal and its revenues until the debt and 

further cost of completing the same, with the interest thereon, should be fully 

paid by the toll- and moneys derived IV m sale of land- and lots. The Board 

was organized and the work resumed in 1845, and prosecuted to completion in 

I Ms The canal debt, interest and COSt of construction, were paid in full from 

these resources, in the year L871, ami the canal was surrendered to the State 
with a balance on hand of $95,7 12. 

In the year 1865, an arrangement wa- entered into by the ('anal Tru- 
with the Hoard of Public Works of Chicago, by which the canal wa- completed 
on the original deep-CUt plan in the year 1871 — thus letting the pure water- of 

Lake Michigan Bon through the canal into the Illinois River and thence down 
to the Gulf of Mexico, ami also opening the way for the beautiful lake perch 
and other fishes to run down into the Illinois, -port with the croppy, listen to 
the catfish Bing, ami assist in getting up fish-fries. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4d7 



MATKKIAI. WEALTH OF ILLINOIS. 



Perhaps the best eyidence of the richness and productiveness of the soil of 
Illinois, as also the wealth and prosperity of the State, will be found in statistics 
— some of which are here briefly given. 

Of the 35,459,200 acres of land within the borders of the State, aboul 

twenty millions are in cultivation, and five millions in woodland, leaving a greater 
portion of the remaining ten millions of acres of virgin soil yet to be put into 
cultivation, which is rapidly being done by drainage, levying and other means. 
There are now growing within the State 8,965,760 acres of corn, which, at 
a moderate estimate of thirty-five bushels per acre, will produce 313,801,600 of 
bushels, and valued at 30 cents per bushel will be $94,140,480. In 1875, the corn 
produced was 130,000,000 bushels, which was at that time more than double the 
amount raised in any other State, and one-sixth the entire crop of all the States. 
The acreage of wheal tor 1879, is 2,365,798, which, at an estimate of 
twenty bushels per acre, will produce 47,31o,9(J0 bushel-, worth, at '.hi cents per 
bushel. $42,584,374. There were thirty millions of bushels produced ten years 
ago, and that was more than any other State produced at that time. 

In oats there are 1,448,562 acres. 

In meadows there are 2,179,122 acres. In 1875, there were harvested 
'J. 747. 'Hid tons of hay in Illinois, which was more than one-tenth of that pro- 
duced in all the States, and its value was more than all the cotton raised in 
Louisiana or any other State. 

The pasturage, at present, consists of 4,lf)7,3"_'<» acres, and its value is more 
than twenty millions of dollars. 

The number of cattle in the State this year is 1,722,057, and the number 
estimated for market this year, 376,577. 

Of hogs now on hand there are 2,814,532, of which 2,0.13,718 are doomed 
to slaughter this year. 

The number of sheep is 762,788. 

Number of horses on hand is 881,951. 

Number of mules. 122,348. 

The number of hogs slaughtered in l s 7.".. was 2,113,845, about half the 
entire crop of the United States, and the value of all the slaughtered animals in 
the State was S">7.<H ill. (Mil i. uiie-sevciith of the total for that year. 

The value of the farm implements in the State i> over two hundred million 
dollars. 

The value of the annual manufactures of the State is about two hundred 
and ten millions of dollars. 

The mineral wealth of the State is beyond computation, as there are 41,000 
square miles of coal, over forty feet in thickness. There are hut 12,000 square 
miles of coal in all Greal Britain, and that is rapidly being exhausted. At the 
rate which England is using coal the supply in Illinios .will last 120,000 years* 



108 HISTORY OP MASON COl MY. 

Illinois is now the third State in population, and in railroads Bur ahead of 
any other State, having al present T.-'m'- 1 miles of track within her borders, 

valued al $600, ,000, using 3,500 engines, and some 70,000 cars in 

operating them. 

I II i 1 1« >i~ also excels all other States in miles of postal aervice; money orders 
sold; interna] revenue paid into tin- National treasury; in the amounl and value 
of her lumber trade, grain trade, and also in the amounl of whisky which she 
makes, to revive the drooping spirits of the people of other Sta 

Having devoted thus much t<> matters of the State, the affairs of the county 
will come nexl in order. 

ORG \M/. \TI"\ OF M \-"\ COl VI 1 . 

Mason County was formed out <>(' parts <>f* the counties of Menard and 
Tazewell, and organized in the year L841. The records of the county are made 
up in pari from Tazewell, Menard and Sangamon. Menard was taken from tin- 
northwestern pari of Sangamon County :in<l formed into ;i county in the year 
1838. All that portion of territory lying between the Sangamon River and 
Sail Creek on the south, to the north line of the twentieth tier of townships, 
including whal is oow^ath, Lynchburg, Kilbourne, Crane Creek, Salt Creek and 
M - 11 City, belonged once to Sangamon — latterly to Menard County — and the 
remainder of the county, including the presenl townships of Havana, Sherman, 
Pennsylvania, Allen's Grove, Manito, Foresl City and Quiver belonged to the 
old count} of Tazewell, which <-< n 1 1 m i 1 1 * •« I all the territory north of the line ju^t 

described, as far east ;i- the wesl lii f McLean County, and as far north as the 

south line of Putnam County, and bounded on the wesl by the Illinois River. 
The original county Bea1 was ;it Mackinaw, and from thence it was removed to 
Pekin, and in 1835 was removed to Tremont, and from thence back again to 
Pekin, where it has been for man) years. The towns in old Tazewell were 
Wesley City, Pekin, Havana and Matanzas, on the river,and Mackinaw, Dillon, 
Bloomingdale and Washington, in the interior. 

Sangamon County was taken from Madison and Bond, and was organized 
in the year 1821. In the year 1837, it was the largest and most j ►< >j>ul. >n^ 
county in the State, containing sixty full township — over 2,000 square miles 

of territory. At the tin f the admission of the State into the Onion, there 

was ii"t a white inhabitant in the whole of Sangamon County, and in l s: '>7 
(nineteen years after), the population was estimated :it over 20,000. A- the 
capita] of the St;ite. the borne of Lincoln, Baker, and other illustrious names, 
old Sangamon is held in ;i spirit of veneration l»\ people who claim to be her 

offspring. 

i \i;n -i;i I i EM] N I S. 

The lands within the presenl county of Mason were first surveyed and 
opened for settlmienl in the years 1821—22 23 24, by William L. May and 

other-. For niMiiv rears, the region of countn within the forks of the Illinois 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4<>«.J 

and Sangamon Rivers was looked upon by the surrounding inhabitants in other 
counties as a sandy, barren waste, fit only for the abode of hunters, fishermen 
and such people as cared not for musquitoes, fleas and other •• varmints." and 
who were not afraid of the ague and other malarial diseases thai then prevailed 
most plenteously, and so the country was avoided by what was considered the 
better class of people. These prejudices kept back the settlement of the country 

until the year 1S27. 

On the 17th <>f October, b s 27. Ossian M. Ross, then living in the aeighbor- 
ing town of Lewistown, entered the first land in the county, where the city of 
Havana now stands, and on the 12th of November, 1*27. the town was laid out 
by Stephen Dewey for Mr. Ross, the proprietor. The plat was not put on rec- 
ord until June 2. 18--J"). at IVkin. 

The first settler in Havana, and in the county, is believed to have been James 
Hoakum. who kept the ferry for Mr. Ross. Henry Sears says that he was at 
his house in 1827, he thinks, and certainly not more than a year later. He had 
a child born in his house about that time — the first white birth in the county. 

In 1828, John Stuart settled on the head of Snicarte Island, now in Bath 
Township, and afterward sold out to Amos Richardson, who afterward sold out to 
John Knight. Some of the Stuart family are still living in the same neighbor- 
hood, and one of them is now languishing in the county jail under a charge of 
murder! John Gillespie settled the same year on the place where the town of 
Moscow once stood, and soon left it, to be afterward entered by 0. M. Ross. 

In 1829, 0. M. Ross built the Ross Hotel, which stood on the bluff, south 
side of Market street. Moses Freeman & Bros, were the architects and builders, 
and, when completed. Mr. I Joss moved into it with his family and there remained 
to the time of his death — January 20, 1837. it is safe to say that Mr. Ross 
was the first permanent settler. In the fall of that year (1829), the Havana 
Posl Office was established, and (). M. Ross appointed Postmaster, making the 
Havana office two years older than the Chicago Post Office. The ferry had been 
established some time before, and for a long time the place was best known as 
"Ross Ferry." Asa Langford, the father of our George, was interested in the 
ferry at a later time, and finally settled in Havana — a jolly old fellow. 

George Gorman and brother were the first settlers in Walker's drove. Crane 
Creek, in 1829. They sold out to Solomon Xorris. 

On the 12th of August, 1829, Leonard Alkire made the first entry of land 
on Salt Creek, in Section 34, Town 2<». Range *». where the Virgins afterward 
lived. 

In 1830, William 1 lagan settled on what is known as the Montgomery place. 
near the old Salt Creek bridge, where he continued to reside until 1847, when 
he sold out and went to Missouri. 

Mr. Allen, for whom Allen's Grove was named, lived in AJlen'a Grove as 
early as 1830, and that year he had a crop of wheat in the ground during the 
winter of the "deep snow " in 1830-31. He was a squatter, and soon left for 



4 1 <J BISTORT Of MASON OOUNTT. 

other parts. James Price, who had an [ndian wife, lived in Walker's Grove in 
\ and sold oiifand went to Lease's Grove in L833, and afterward sold oat to 
William Lease and went West to live with the red men and his red woman. We 
do not know which of these three were first on the ground, but Hasan stayed the 
longi 

In the year 1831 | —il.lv a year later), Absalom Mounts settled on Crane 
k and l>uilt a mill on the land now owned by William Webb. The mill was 
built tu run li\ water conveyed over the dam through a hollow sycamore logon to 
a flutter-wheel : but. on account of a scarcity of water, it was afterward recon- 
structed bo a- to run .1 part of tin- time by horse or ox power. It was a rude 
affair, with m pair of 1" or L2-inch stones, grinding a bushel and a hall* of corn 
per hour when doing its best. Being the first and only mill in the count 
was considered a big institution in those days, and was patronized by the pioneer 
people from all quarters. John Sidwell bought ou1 Mounts in 1837, and, among 
other valuable improvements, be attached a pocket distillery, where the waiting 
and weary customer al the mill could brace up the inner man whilsl waiting tin- 
In- L r nM. This was the lir>t mill and firsl distillery in Mason County. Dock 
Field says that Sidwell used to take the stones out and carrj one under his arm 
tn dinner, and, to save time, dressed it as he went. 

In \*'-\-. Austin I'. and Etoberl Melton located a1 Big Grove, and afterward 
Bold out to ' leorge Virgin. 

In the year 1832, Benjamin Kellogg made the first entrj of land in Allen's 
< rrove. 

< )n the 1 4 1 1 1 nf June, 1 S -"'>J. Henry Shepherd entered the southeast quarter 
of the Bouthehsl quarter of Section 28, Town 21, Range 9, and became one 
among the firsl land owners and settlers in the county. He afterward made 
additional entries of adjoining land, and Bold a portion of it to V. B. Holmes 
and Watkin Powell, who, on the LOth of April, I s -".''. had the town of Matan- 
zas laid ou1 by Thomas C. Wilson, County Surveyor of Tazewell County. Mr. 
W 1 stervell located as a neighbor tn Mr. Shepherd aboul the same time, ami Mr. 
Barnes at tin- mounds, north of Havana. Mr. Shepherd continued mi his little 
farm to the time "I" hi- death, -mm' thirty years ago. His land, which v. 
high, Bandy place, i- now cultivated by William Riggins, anil, although it has 
been in cultivation over fifty years, there is no si^n <>f it- giving out. It has 
produced good crops of corn ami wheat for all these fifty years without fertilizers 
ami without rest. The town of Matanzas, like unto the city of Moscow, is now 
among the defunct town- of Mason County. 

In the year 1836, Jesse Baker settled on Crane Creek, where he still resides 
in a very feeble condition. Mr was one of the stalwart pioneers, born in Tenn- 
M 1798; came to Illinois in 1816 and settled in Morgan County. 

[n the same year, J. M. Estep, born in St. Clair County, III.. December It. 
1819, settled on ( !rane Creek, in Ma -mi County, where his -on- -till live, highly 
respected. He and Jesse Baker are pioneers in the Crane Creek settlement 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 411 

In the year L833, William Lease bought out a man of the name of -James 
Price, who wns the first settler at what was called Lease's Grove. 

Solomon Norris was living on Salt Creek in 1833, and must have come a 
year or two before. 

Lewis Clarkson was the firsl settler of Field's Prairie, and came there in the 
spring of L833 and Located on whal is now the Qpp place. 

Levi Blunt, with his family of boys, Thomas F.. Samuel (now in Kilbourne), 
Lahen and Richard, all came in the spring of 1834 and settled on the west side 
of the prairie, where some of the family still live. 

Henry Sears settled in the county in L834, locating first in Walker's 
Grove, buying land of Estep and selling out to James Walker in 1836. lie 
was one of the solid men in those day-, remarkable for integrity and eccentricity, 
and is still living on the old homestead on Crane ('reek, as bright and queer as 
ever. 

In the year 1834, July :> >. Bernard Krebaum, a native of Hesse-* 'a --el. < rermany, 
landed in Havana via New Orleans. Ili- was the third family in town— Messrs. 
Ross and Myers being then here — and here he remained until his death in 
1853. His family consisted of Frederick, Adolph. William. Edward and 
Charles G. — the latter born in Havana, and the oldest native-horn white person 
now living in the county. Adolph, William and C. G. are the surviving ones 
of the family, and all live in the city of Havana, highly respected and well con- 
ditioned. 

Stephen Hilbert, Mr. Myers and Mr. Blair also came and settled here that 
year. 

In the year 1835, the population of Havana was re-enforeed by a little col- 
ony of live, active men, consisting of N. J. Rockwell, A. W. Kemp. Daniel 
Adams and 0. E. Foster, who came from Demorestville, Upper Canada. Mr. 
Foster kept hotel in Havana until his death, in 1843. Mr. Adams mot a 
violent death on the Ohio River, near Louisville, on a trip East. Judge Rock- 
well, after filling a prominent position among enterprising public men in Mason 
County for many years, went into business in Troy. X. V., where he died 
in 1878, and where his wife died the present year. Mr. Kemp is the only sur- 
vivor of this colony, and is now. at a ripe old age, living in the city of Sparta, 
Wis. 

John II. Neteler, a native of Hanover. Germany, settled below Havana that, 
year. He was an educated, upright man. and assisted Mr. Lincoln in his early 
surveys in Mason County, where he resided to the time of his death. December 

4, 1863. lie left a good estate to his children. 

Daniel Clark came from Ohio and settled near Mr. Hagan, on Salt Creek, 
in this year, ami remained until his death, in 1854. 

George Close, John Close, Jr., and Josiah Dobson, each bought tracts of 
land in Crane Creek in 1835, and became a part of the pioneer population of 
the county. 



412 HISTORY OP MASON OOUHTY. 

During this year, John Grigg, of Philadelphia, made large entries of land 
ield's Prairie, which he sold oul in aboul ten years tosettli 

The year 1836 broughl a -till larger number of pioneer settlers into the 
county. On the 16th of March, l s ".'i. Abraham Lincoln entered the north 
half of the northwesl quarter of Section ; '». Town 19, Range 7. containing forty- 
seven acres, and in 1^ : '>7 sold an undivided half <»t' the -aim- for $30 — n<>t ;i 
very great speculation for those times. This land lies aboul a mile above Mil- 
ler - Ferry, on the Sangamon, aear where the famous town of Huron was laid 
nut booh after, and the location of which is nol marked by a single house oi 
habitation ai this date. 

On the 1st day of November, 1836, the original plal of the town of Bath 
was laid out by Abraham Lincoln, Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon County, for 
John Kerton, proprietor, and. on the 30th of November, the plat was recorded 
in Springfield, the county seat of the county, in which the town was then situ- 

The original plal made by Mr. Lincoln is still extant, in the band; 
Maj. Gatton, of Bath. 

Pulaski Scoville removed from Cincinnati to Warren County, 111., in l^ ;l > I. 
ami into Havana in L836. lie was an active, go-ahead man. and the same 
of" his coming to Havana, lie. in company with the three Low brothers, com- 
menced the erection of a steam saw-mill, ill which lumher was manufactured for 

the first railroad Imilt in the Mississippi Valley, from Springfield to Meredoeia, 
ami also timbers for buildings in Alton ami St. Louis. He was also an exten- 
sive operator in real estate and other business enterprises, ami now lives with his 

fifth wile on his beautiful farm, not far from Teheran. 

In the Bpring of L836, Thomas and Bliphas Low came also from Cincinnati 

to Havana, and afterward bought lands near the Quiver ami Bettled on them; 
and they also operated, to some extent, in real estate. Thomas Low died about 
L 846, and Bliphas died in Havana in the year 1^ ( '>L The} were oativi 
Massachusetts. 

In the fall of the same year, their brother, Fraud- Low. came t<> Havana 

and entered into active business, dabbling in real estate, buying ami selling 
lands, opening and improving farms, etc In L838, he was appointed Deputj 
Sheriff of Tazewell County, ami. when Mason County was organised, in L841, 
he was elected and served a- first Sheriff of the county. He also assisted in 
the building of the Illinois River Railroad, the Hist Imilt in the county. In 
the year 1875, lie was active in the organization of the First National Lank of 
Havana, of which lie -till continues to he President. In fanning ami other 
pursuits he has been successful, a- an ample fortune bears evidence. 

In tin- year 1836, Charles P. Richardson became the first settlei on Grand 

Island, opposite the town of Bath, and tradition siy that he assisted Mr. Lin- 
coln in lay ing out that tow n. 

C. W. \mlru- came from Watertown, N. ¥., earl) in the year 1836, to 

Havana, where he has lived an honored life t<> the present tune. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 418 

Loring Ames came also the same year mid settled is Mason County. He 
was a native of Massachusetts, born in L806. Came to St. Clair County in 
L818 ; was in the Black Hawk war as a Lieutenant, and still lives on a farm 
near Topeka. 

During the year, the Vilnius came and settled Oil Salt ('reck, where they 
remained on their farms until removed by death, which events occurred as fol- 
lows: George (one of the firsl County Commissioners) died in L855; EGnsie, 
m 1853; Regin, in 1ST:!, and Abraham in 1873. George had a little stoic 
and there was a blacksmith and shoe shop, constituting an embryo town, which 
was given the name of Hiawatha. 

Ephraim Burnell settled near the Mounds, above Havana, this year. He 
afterward died on the way to California. 

John Ritter, father of Col. Richard Ritter, settled in the same neighborhood, 
ahout the same time, and remained to the date of his death. 

A. C. Gregory also settled near the Mounds this year. 

In the early spring of 1836, Vivian B. Holmes, Albert J. Field and Benjamin 
F.AVigginton came from Tennessee to Mason County. Mr. Holmes came as the 
agent of Dr. Drury S. Field under a contract to purchase 10,000 acres of land. In 
the months of April and June, he entered over three thousand acres for Dr. Field, 
and some in the name of his brother on Field's Prairie. He also went into 
merchandising the same year in a part of Ross' Hotel, with Wigginton as clerk. 
Col. Holmes was an eccentric man of the old Virginia stamp : despised work as 
beneath the dignity of a gentleman, and could endure a vast amount of comfort, 
which he sought in riding his horse " Pomp " over the country, and stopping for 
indefinite periods wherever there was good fare and pleasant people to chat with. 
He was a great admirer of the other sex, and used to say. in a devout way, 
"When I cease to love the women, or to have the power of responding to 
woman's love, I hope my heavenly Father will take me home ! " In his time, he 
was the husband of four wives, and he used to say, in an impressive way, " It 
has pleased God to give me three angels and but one devil ! " and then 
he would groan, or moan, like a saint, and. in the next breath, per chance, 
swear like a trooper! He died some years ago. at Tremont, leaving a fifth 
wife. 

In June. 1836, Dr. Drury S. Field came from Tennessee to Mason County 
and settled at what is called White Hall Point, on Field's Prairie. He had been 
an extensive slave owner and planter in the South, sold out a hundred or two 
negroes and came North, where he died in 1838, leaving a large family, all of 
whom are now dead, except two sons — A. J. and A. E. Field — and two daughters. 
At the time he settled in the county, and for years afterward, the county fairly 
BWarmed with deer, wild turkeys, prairie chickens and wolves, and it was no 

uncommon occurrence to shoot a deer from the door of his house. As late as 

1844. the writer saw on his land, out in the prairie, a herd of from fifty to sixty 
deer. The settlers, in those times, used to hunt wolves on horseback, run them 



414 BISTORT "F M LSON COUNTY". 

until overtaken and then dispatch them with the Btirrup of the saddle. Turkey 
were run down ami captured on horseback, thus saving ammunition. 

From the" mosl reliable sources, we hear the Garret family came and settled 
in whatisnow Kilbourne Township in L836, or, perhaps, two years before. <Jil>- 
son Garret and Joshua Garret were of the eld stock of pioneer — regular Nim- 
rods and wolf-killers. Joel ' rarret, an offspring, died on the old hunting-grounds 
<»t' his hither two years ago. 

James Blakeh also settled in what i- non Kilbourne Township in 1836, and, 
without moving, was an inhabitant of three <"imt i< — Sangamon, Menard and 
Mason. He died a few years a::", leaving A. S. Blakely and two other -"ii< in 
the old neighborhood. 

Aaron Scotl also settled, the -mum- year, in the neighborhood where his sons, 
Martin and Asher, now live. 

\. I!. Murdock also came from New Jersey and settled in the same neigh- 
borhood with theScotts the same year. Three years later In- returned t<> Nen 
v : bul the Western fever was in him and he liad to come back again, and 
now lives, an horiored resident, of Crane Creek. 

< Mi the 1.4th of July, 1* : '.7. T. M. Neal, Surveyor of Sangamon County, 
laid out, for John Rea and William May, the town of Lynchburg on the south- 
quarter of Section 22 and southwest quarter of Section 27, Town L9, Range 
'.'. The proprietors and Pleasant May, and probably others, had already settled 
in that neighborhood, but the date is unknown to us, and, therefore, not given. 

In this year, Joseph Adkins bought lands and settled near where Sadora now 
is, which he had laid out Borne years ago. Mr. Adkins died within ■ year past 
arnl lft'i a family of children to take hi> place. 

Among the first settlers in Lynchburg was Nelson Abbey, in l s -'>7. He 
settled near where Snicarte now it- 
James Walker settled this year al Walker's Grove, coming from Indiana, and 
died ;i tew years ago ;it a very old age. Il»' had a family of five sons and four 
daughters, ;ill of whom have been connected, in many prominent ways, with the 
history and prosperity of the county. 

Alexander Stuart, n native of Ireland, settled in Havana this vein-, and has 
-nice been ;m active business man. 

John II. Schulte, from Hanover, Germany, came to Mason County this 
and opened business <>n the river, which, for years, overshadowed all other places 
of business. Mi' died in the year 1845, leaving two sons, of whom J. II is 
Deputy < kranty < Ilerk. 

Thomas McCartj settled in the county tlii> year, coming from Ohio, and still 
In ec in Mason ( !ity, as we believe. 

Edward Sikes settled on Salt Creek this year, and died there in 1855. John 
Auxier, Kli Auxier, John Y. Swan- ami John Young all came at the same time 
and settled in the same neighborhood. Of these, all are dead, except, perhaps, 
M ' . Swarr. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 415 

Charles Howell came from Pennsylvania and settled in Quiver this year. 
Tlie balance of the Howell family came some three years later. 

John II. Havighorst, from Hanover, Germany, came this year to Mason 
County. As a county official, he has made his mark upon the records of the 
county. 

On the 7th of August, 1837, there was an election held in Havana Precinct 
to vote for county officers of Tazewell County, at which election twelve votes 
were cast, viz.: Daniel Adams. Henry Shepherd. 0. E. Foster. X. J. Rockwell, 
Anson C. Gregory, A. W. Kemp, 13. F. Wigginton, V. B. Holmes, C. W. 
Amlrus, William \\\dv. .1. II. N'etler and one other. This constituted the voting 
population of Havana and many miles around at that time. 

John Rea and William May were, at this time, living in the neighborhood of 
Lynchburg; and at about that time Pleasant May. George Marshal and others 
settled in the neighborhood. Zephenia Keath was also an early settler near by, 
followed by George Carpenter and John Johnson, making quite a re-enforcement 
for the lower end. 

Isaac Parkhurst came from New Jersey and settled in Havana in the year 

1837, where he remained until his death, leaving representatives still in the 
county. 

Moses Ray and his sons, Aaron and James, settled on the east side of Field's 
Prairie in 1837. The old man died in 1845. He was a backwoods preacher, of 
the Hard-shell Baptist persuasion. 

In 1837, Washington Daniels settled on Field's Prairie, where his sons, Isley, 
Callaway, Martin and George still live. 

Robert McReynolds, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Mason County in 

1838, and died in Havana in 1*72. He held the office of County Judge and 
other public places. 

Thomas K. Falkner came from Indiana and settled near by Judge McKey- 
Dolds the same year and began the first improvements in what is Sherman Town- 
ship. In the fall of that year, the families of Hibbs, Hampton and Dentler 
came to the same vicinity. West of them, toward Havana, were eight other 
families, and east of them there were no settlers for thirty miles. 

J. II. Dierker, from Hanover, Germany, came to the county that year, and 
still lives near the city of Havana. 

The same year, and from the same county, came Henry Bishop, and settled 
where Bishop's Station now i^. He Still lives there and prospers. 

William Atwater also came in L838, and settled near Quiver. Also, 
William Rodgers and John Kodgers. settling in Lynchburg. 

Amos Smith, Sr., Amos Smith. Jr.. and B. F. Smith, came that year from 
the State of Vermont, and settled in the same neighborhood. Soon after, came 
John Camp, first Probate Judge of the county, and Richard J. Phelps, fol- 
lowed soon after by George W. Phelps, James D. Reeves and William Davis, 
making quite a populous neighborhood. 



416 BISTORT OP M k80N OOUNTT. 

ge II. Campbell came that year to Mason County, and began to improve 
his father's land. -i\ miles below Bath. He was highly favored, ;it an early 
day, in the way of offices, as the county records show, and, with an event- 
ful life, "still lives" in Mason City. W. II. Campbell, present Mayor of 
Havana, is his Grsl son, born in Bath in the year L847. 

There were a Dumber of settlers came from Greene County that year, among 
them Robert Elkin and Isaac II. Bodge, l>"tli afterward Sheriffs of the county. 

•■ Hall Hodge," as he was called, was the -iron. I Sheriff" of the county, and 
in strange contrast with his predecessor in all respects. He was a diminutive, 
ill-favored, illiterate man. lively and chatty with everybody, using an abund- 
ance of all sorts of words, of the meaning of which he was entirely igno- 
rant. He was a kind-hearted man. that had no guile in him (but generally 
plenty of whisky, which suggested the calling of him the ///'//'-Sheriff i. and was 
a great favorite of the people in those days. His reading of a summons or 
court paper sounded like a chapter from •• Nasby or the " Innocents AJbroad." 
The law term "verms," which usually occurred in the summons, he invariably 
called " vestigated" and at the wind-up of reading a legal paper, he always 
added, with a grand flourish, "thus and bo — the measures!" In calling court, 

he would veil out. in his tenor voice. "Oh, yes ! Oh, ye8! the court ha- met. 

subject to adjournment !" At one time, he was directed by the court to .all the 

name- of parties on a criminal bond, and declare a forfeiture, on account of the 

absence of the criminal, in accordance with the formula of those days, which was 
long and precise. The Sheriff was very much excited and nonplused, knowing 
it impossible for him to repeat so many word- correctly. In confusion and 

de-pair, he ru-licd to the window, thrust hi.- head through the crashing glass, 

and called the name- of the parties he could remember, and then mumbled and 
jumbled a lot of stuff thai Bounded like the clatter of "four and twenty black- 
birds," winding up with the words, "Yon will come into court, or everything 
will he lost!' The Judge laughed, the bar roared, and the people were 
delighted to see that they had a Sheriff equal to any emergency. At the time 

of his last election, there wa- a fierce strife hetween the upper and lower end of 
the COUntj about the County Beat, and so the candidate- had hard work to "make 

both end- meet," and secure an election. On the eve of that eventful day, a 

crowd of friend- gathered around the Sheriff, to hear what he had to sav about 

the prospects, lie was veryjubilanl ami lavish <>f big words, saying, " I know 
I shall he sumptuously ehcird. for I have ravished the whole upper end !" \- 
Hodge was a virtuous man. the presumption i- that he meant "canvassed" 
"triumphantly," ami nothing more. He was invincible before the people, until, 
in his kindness, he became a defaulter, and subsided into private life. 

In the year 1839, John R. Chaney, a native of Tennessee, came from Greene 

<'ount_\ to Mason, and settled near the ea.-t line of Havana Township, where he 

Mill resides. 

Witting II. i- "• .in ml. rui. si tl, a tin- (.r.. rii <<.iitil> t «NB* BOttl 1M1 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 417 

Mark A. Smith, second son of Amos Smith, Sr., came from Vermont ami 
settled near Sniearte, wliieli lie laid out afterward, ami where he now resides. 

Joseph Mowder settled near the center of Havana Township in L839, when; 
he has lived tor forty years of uprighl life. 

Abraham Swing came from Ohio in L839, and settled in Swing's Grove, 

near the southeast corner of the COUnty. lie died in Ma-on City in 1866. 

John W. Holzgraffe came from Hanover, Germany, and settled near Havana 
in 1839, where he still resides, lie has five 90ns in business in Havana. 

John Bowman and John Cooper came from Greene County and settled half- 
way between Havana and Bath this same year. 

In 1840, Samuel < '. Conwell fust made his appearance in Havana, coming 
from Indiana, but a native of the little State of Delaware.'. He has lived here 
long, and been much mixed with the history of the county, as the land records 
will show. S. 1>. Swing also came from Ohio and settled at the drove with his 
brother this year. 

Nathan Howell came from Pennsylvania in 1*40. and settled near his son 
Charles, who preceded him. lie has survivors still living near Havana. 

Solomon Bales also entered land in 1840 on Crane Creek, and settled there. 

Maj. B. II. Gatton, horn in Kentucky in 1808; came t<> Morgan County 

in'1824, with his father's family, and to Bath, Mason County, May 1, 1841. 
Since that date, he has filled a large place in the business and enterprise of the 
lower end of the comity, making and losing fortunes by turn, in the vicissitudes 
of the grain trade and merchandising. He was the first Postmaster in Hath 
when the office was established there in 1842, and has held other public trusts. 
Maj. Gatton has taken Greeley 's advice, and in themonth of duly, 1879, took his 
family to Cass County, Mo., there to live out the balance of his days. 

R. I', (iattoii came also with his brother from Heardstown. and died in the 
year 1873, leaving a wife and one daughter there. 

William II. Nelms, brother-in-law of Maj. Gatton, and also from Kentucky, 
came also from Beardstown about the same time, ami settled in Bath, where he 
lived an active business life up to the time of his death, many years ago. He 
was the Deputy Circuit Clerk for J. A. Phelps for some years, and was also 
engaged in trade for a time. His only living son, John E. Nelms ha- been a 
prominent business man in Bath and IVoria. and is now retired to a farm in 
Lynchburg. 

In the year 1840, the question of making a new county was agitated by the 
people of Havana, and decided upon. At the suggestion of John Hitter, it was 
to he named Mason County. < >n the 20th of January, 1841, the act was 
passed, providing for the organization of the county by the -election of a county 
-eat and also the election of the neces.-ary number of county officers. 

Having traced the early current of emigration to the date of the organiza- 

tion of the county a- correctly as we have the mean- of' te-tin_ r it- accuracy, ur 
leave to the township historian the task of following up the work, which he 



41 v IIISTnKY OF MASnN COUNTY. 

can do more fully and satisfactorily than <;m be done in the limited time ire can 
devote to it li 1i;i- been our endeavor t<> be accurate and impartial in all per- 
sonal references, still there may be errora of date and omissions of names that 
should have had a place among the early settlers of tin- county. 

Uu formation w '■' nty : 

SCCTIOH 1 S \U of Illinois, represented in G 

'hi, Tli.n all thai perl of the counties of Menard and Taiewell included within the follow- 
bonndariee, tc-wil : Beginning at the month of the Sangamon Hirer, running thence with the 
channel of said river, to the mouth of Sail Creek, running thence with the channel of said 

until it intersects the range line between Ranges 4 and •"> : thence north with 
line, ti. the north line of Logan County; thenee weal six miles; thenoe north to the center of 
Township 28 north, Range 6 west of Thirl Principal Meridian : thence west to the Illinois Rirer, 
to the place of beginning, which shall constitute a count; to he called the county of Mason. 

All Jnstieea of the Peace and Constables heretofore duly elected and qualified in 
and for the counties of Menard and Inxewell, and who now res.de within the aforesaid bound- 
aries of the county of Mason, shall hold their offices in and for the said county of Ma-son, the 
same as it' no division had taken place. 

Phe legal voters residing within the limits of said county of Mason, shall meet at 
the town of Havana, in -aid county, "ii the first Monday in April next, appoint Judgei 
Clerk- of Election, and proceed to elect a Sheriff, Coroner, Clerk of the County Commissi 
Court. Recorder, Treasurer, Probate Justice of the Peace, School Commissioner, and three 
County CommiBf county, and any other county officers provided by law, to i>e 

i t',,r counties, and the returns of said election shall be made by said Judges and clerks to 
the -I the Peace in said county of Mason, and any two or more ot said Justices shall 

meet at Havana at any time within five days after said election, and proceed to open 

returns, make out abstracts of the same, and transmit one to th< - ind tile one 

with the Clerk of the County Commie nrf of said comity of Mason, and to do and per- 

form all other duties now required by law, in like case- of the Clerks of the County Commis 
sioners' < ourts and Ju tee. 

i The 1'- 1 county of Mason shall also, at the time and place, and in 

the ii d the third section of this act, rote for Bites or places al which to 

and establish the permanent Beat of justice of said county of Mason, and the site or place which 

shall receive the greatest Dumber of voles shall be and forever remain the permanent - 
ju-ti. iunty of Mason, and the Judges and Clerk- lection are 

lOrised to open columns in their poll books, and n - fbr the HUM 

electioi nduoted in all respects, and returns thereof made in the same manner as prorided 

for in the third section of this act. and of the laws of this Stale in relation to elections. 

md Clerks Of said election are not authorised to open coin: 

the proprietor- or 

friendi site or plaoe shall first place in the hands of the Je I election their 

promissory note drawn to the County Commiai County, or their successors in 

nid count He sum of .me thousand dollars, payable three 

month- after date, with good and sufficient security for the payment of the same, to be approved 

by the Judges of said election, and shall also place in the hands f said judges s bond conditioned 

for a donation the nee Of said county, on which to etect the public buildings, 

which donation shall not !., lest than one bio -. if the county - til : it a 

town already laid off, and not less than twenty aire- if on land not heretofore laid oil in town 

ion shall deposit irith the County Commisaionera 
i t v ot Mason, as sot >urf shall he organised, the note- and bonds which may 

into their hands in the manner specified in the | be fourth section of thisai I 

said Com o t" > 'he returns of said election shall have been ; 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 419 

provisions of this act, and it shall have been finally decided which point has received the highest 
number of votes for the county seat, all the aforesaid notes and bonds shall be returned to the 
persons from whom they were received, except those received from the friends or proprietors of 
that point at which the county Beat baa been located. 

Sic. 6. The School Commissioner of the county of Mason, as soon as he shall be 'Inly 
elected, qualified and commissioned, according to law, shall call upon the School Commissioners 
of the county of Menard and Tazewell, and demand of and receive from iliem all notes, bondsi 
morigages or other writings or obligations which may belong or be coming to said county of 
Mason; also the distributive share of the school, college and seminary fund, which said county 
of Mason shall be entitled to. 

Sec. 7. The said county of Mason shall constitute a part of the Judicial Circuit 

and a Circuit Court shall be held for said county, at some convenient house in the village of 
Havana until the public buildings shall be erected ; the time of holding said court shall l> e 
appointed by the Judge presiding on said circuit. This act to take eft'ect from its passage. 

Approved January 20, 1841, 

Alter tile passage of this act, il becoming known that Havana was the only 
voting. place named, parties not in the Havana interest procured the passage of 
the following supplemental act. providing for polls being opened in Salt Creek 
and Lynchburg also. 

An Art supplemental t" an act for the formation of the county of Mason : 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in Qerieral 
Assembly, That polls shall be opened at the town of Lynchburg, and at the house of James 
Walker (in Walker's Grove), in the county of Mason at the same time, and for the same objects, 
and under the same regulations as provided for at the town of Havana by the act to which this 
is supplemental. 

Approved February 27, 1841. 

COUNT! COMMISSIONERS' COURT. 

As the legislative and controlling power of the county resided in this Court 
at the time of the formation of the county and down to the year 1849, we shall 
devote sonic attention to their acts and doings. There is no record showing the 
result of the vote which elected the first set of county officers, or of the location 
of the county seat, but the record shows who served the people as County Clerk, 
Sheriff, Probate Justice of the Peace, School Commissioner and County Com- 
missioners — leaving us in the dark as to who was the first Coroner and County 
Surveyor. It also shows that the county seat was located at Havana, at that 
election, which was held in Havana. Salt Creek and Texas Precinct-, mi the 5th 
day of April. 1S41. 

At the Brsl meeting of the Court, in April, the bond of J. A. Phelps, 
County Clerk, was approved, and five road district- were laid out in the county. 
At the June term, the Dumber of road districts were increased to nine, ami the 
Supervisors appointed to serve therein were as follows: First District, Daniel 
Swing: Second. Abraham Virgin: Third. Tsaac Teeter: Fourth. William 
McDaniek Fifth. John II. Neteler: Sixth, Joseph Lybarger ; Seventh, Nelson \l. 

Ashursf. Eighth, William Davis, and Ninth. John V\. Chancy. The location of 
these districts may he known from the residence of the Supervisors. It was 



BISTORT OP II L80H COUNTY 

also ordered thai three days' road labor be expended on the roads in the 
1841, by .ill persons liable to do such work. 

[ra Patterson was allowed $2 for services as a Justiee of the Peace in open- 
ing the jmll books and making abstracts of the first election tor county officers 
ami county seat. 

At this June term of court, it was also ordered that a new Justice's district 
be formed of the territory lying west of the range line between Nine and Ten, 
to he called Lynchburg I district, and ordered mi election for two Justices and two 
Constables. \- a result of that election we only know that Amos Smith was 
elected on., of tin- Justices, and continued in that office to the time of his death, 
in the year I 851 . 

The Court further ordered that George Mav should pay $5 license for a ferry 
across tie- Sangamon, ami required him to L r i\e a bond of $150, conditioned that 

should "keep the ferry. so as to give every person a passage in reasonable 
time' — -1 mt the order did not state what kind of physic the ferryman should use. 
In those days, being hemi 1 in from the outside world by the Dlinois ami San- 
gamon Rivers, the ferries were great institutions, and there were plenty of them 
and considerable rivalry for business. 

The Court als *dered that Francis Lovi be appointed Collector of Taxes 

for the year 1841, and that the rate of taxes should be 50 cents on the $1 
for county purposes, and ;, ><» cent- for State purposes. 

The Court ordered that the following earned persons he summoned to -civ. 

grand jurors at the Brat term of the Mason County circuit Court, to be held 
on Friday, after the Becond Monday in November, L841, viz.: James Walker. 
Daniel Clark, Sr., [ra Halstead, Michael Swing, Au-tin I'. Melton, 1'. W. 
Campbell, William Dew, John G. Conover, Thomas F. Blunt, Anderson Young, 
Samuel l>. Becket, George Marshall, G. W. Phelps, Edmund Northern, Ashley 
llickey. Hoag Sherman, William Hibbs, William Atwater, Thomas Low, John 
el. Daniel Deffenbacker, Pulaski Scovil and David Bell. Of all these men, 
we know hut four now in the county — Scovil, Blunt, Deffenbacker and John G. 
Conover, the latter -till an active, stout, jollj man. as he ha- always been. G. 
W. Phelps i- living in Kentucky, but most of them have been summoned to a 

court of -tern decree the court of death. 

The Court also selected the following named persons to serve a- travis jurors 

at the same term of C -t. viz.: George Close, James Yeardley, Henrj S 

John Close, Sr., V.bel W. Kemp, Jacob II. Cross, James Russell, James 
1. alien Blunt, James Lockerman, Washington Daniel, Benjamin Sisson, [srael 
Carman, John Johnson, Orin E. Poster, Frederick Back, Thomas Faulkner, 
David.Coder, William Chainey, Samuel Patton, James Blakely, William Rodgers, 
Nelson Abbe) . I lenr^ < '. Rowland. 

The writer was acquainted with nearly all the men on both these juries, "i 

whom there are hut four of the latter known to he Living, making eight out ..I 

forty-seven. 




/ HAV 




HAVANA 



/ 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 128 

The Court finished up its business for that term with the following interest- 
ing order, or decree, which goes to show how the court stood ior perhaps, leaned), 
on the main question; we copy literally: 

•• In the Mason County Comrs' . Court: 

STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) 
Mason County. )" 

Be it remenibereil that permission is hereby given to Richard 1*. Gatton, to retail spirituous 
liquors, by any quantity, until the end of the September term of the Co. Com. Court of said 
county, for which permission the said Gatton has paid the sum of $2.50. 

" In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and private seal, no official seal having 
been provided. 

"Dated at Havana, June the 12th, A. D. 1841. 

■• J. A. 1'hklps, Clerk Co. Com, Court, M. C" 

This was the first liquor license given in Mason County, and the demand for 
it wns so pressing, that they could not wait for a seal to be put on the license, 
and the party had to take it straight, without any trimmings ! Bath was a little 
behind on the county seat question, but ahead on the license to sell the stuff that 
has made such fearful havoc of the peace and morality of the town. With bad 
whisky "retailed in any quantity," Bath has been the scene of several bloody 
murders, and of drunken rows and orgies without number! 

At a July special term of court, it was ordered that the Judges and Clerks 
of the April election be allowed $1 each for their services, viz.: Salt Creek — 
John Young, John L. Turner, Abraham Swing, Ira Halstead and John Close ; 
Texas Precinct — Joseph Adkins, George Marshall, James May. Mark A. Smith 
and Howard Campbell; Havana Precinct — Isaac Parkhurst, Jesse Brown. John 
II. Neteler, Iloag Sherman and Eliphaz Low. 

It was also ordered that the sum of $14*3 be paid, with 12 per cent interest, 
semi-annually, to Robert Faulkner, George T. Virgin and A. J. Field. County 
Commissioners, for money advanced for books for county offices. 

It would seem that the comity started in business on borrowed capital, and 
at a pretty high rate of interest. 

It was further ordered at this term of court that the bond for $1,000. to be 
donated for the purpose of erecting public buildings, signed by N. -I. Rockwell, 
Pulaski Scovil, Louis W. Boss and II. L. Ross, be sued upon in the Circuit 
Court of Mason County, and that the bond of L. W. & II. L. Ross, for a block 
of lots adjoining the public square, in Havana, for the use of the county, be put 
in suit for the enforcement of the conditions of the bond. 

At the September term of court, it appears that A. .1. Field. Amos Smith 
and Israel Carman, together with the County Clerk (all in the Bath intei 

held a term of court, claiming to have 1 n elected at the A.ugU8t election, and 

drew lots. ( Jarman drawing for three years. Field, two years, and Smith, one year. 

At the same time, another court was being held by the other two Commis- 
sioners (Faulkner ami Virgin!, at which time J. A. Phelps, County Clerk, »;i> 
removed from office " for neglect of duty and for non-compliance i?f the Cou 



424 HISTORY of M kSON COUNTY. 

Commissioners of said county, and George W. Fielding is appointed by the 
Commissioners in his room until another is elected by the people!" No name 
appears to the record <>f this double-barreled Returning Board, but at the uexl 
meeting, in December, the record is signed by Faulkner, Virgin and Smith, with 
Fielding as Clerk. As Phelps, Field and Carman disappear from the records, 
and their official acts were ignored, the presumption is that these three members 
of the Returning Board were bull-dozed « > n r of office by the action of some 
higher court ! 

This «;i« the firsl round in the battle between Havana and Bath, in which 
1 [avana drew first blood ! 

At the March term, L842, of court, an order was made to prosecute J. A. 
Phelps and his securities <>n his official bond, a Havana move t<> punish the Bath 
champion. 

At the June term of court, a permit is given to Charles Howell, Julius Jonee 

and William Pollard, to build a mill-dam six feet high, across Quiver River, on 

the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 22, Township 22, 

the site where the McHarrymill now Btands, Mr. McHarry afterward 

■ 

purchasing the site and building the mill. 

It was also ordered that the suits on the $1,000 bond, and the bond for a 
block of lots, be dismissed. This was a Left-handed li«k made by Havana, which 
the Bath boys claimed to be a foul ! 

At the A.ugus1 election, in L842, Joseph A. Phelps was again elected by the 
lower end of the county, to the office of County 1 !lerk. First knock-dovi b for Bath ! 

At the September term of court, it was resolved that the contraci which had 
been lei for the building of a Court House in Havana, was valid, and thai $1,800 
(the price to be paid), should be pan I the contractors when the job was completed. 

Havana taffy ! 

It was also ordered thai the suil commenced against J. A. Phelps be dis- 
missed. A back-down for I [avana ! 

At this time, the county seal fighl waxed hot between the rival towns, and 
resulted in the passage of an acl by the Legislature, providing for an election in 
nary, 1843, to settle the yexed question. At this election. Bath got the 
tir-i knock-down, and won the battle! 

\- the March term, L848, of County Court, it was ordered thai the precinct 
known by the name of Texas Precinct, be changed to the name of Bath Precinct, 
ami thai Bath be the place of holding elections. Also, thai the north line of 
the precinct be extended to the north line of Section 18, Township 21, within 

a mile of the jire-ent city limit- of I I avana ! " Sec. the conquering hero COD 

Bath has secured a respectable name, as a precinct, and, by the prowess of her 
stalwarts, has enlarged her dominions ! 

In consideration of the many fights and murders thai have occurred in Bath, 
it i- a question of propriety whether the old Dame of " Texas' 1 Bhould m>t have 

been retained. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 425 

An order was also passed al this term of court, providing for ;t settlement, 
by referees, with Moses Freeman, the Havana Court House contractor, for .dam- 
ages, in not being allowed to complete the work. At the same term of court, 
Freeman accepted $250, in county orders, in full settlement. 

At this term of court, Quiver Precincl was set off from Havana, containing 
all the territory north of Quiver River, and the place of voting fixed at the house 
of Isaac Parkhurst. Crane Creek was also set off from Salt Creek, and the 
place of voting located at the Crane Creek Schoolhouse, making the number of 
Bis precincts at this date, viz.: Havana. Hath. Salt Creek, Lynchburg, Quiver 
and Crane Creek. 

Up to this time and long afterward, the principal business of the County 
Court was locating roads and licensing ferries. With all that lias been done in 
the past, is it not a little strange that we have so few good roads in the eoiintv I 

COUNTY. SKAT CONTROVERSY. 

The countv seat question, in its time, was all absorbing, and we shall there- 
fore devote a chapter to the subject, which may he of interest to old settlers. 
The agitation began at the formation of the county, when there were about 4<>ii 
voters in the county, and, at the first election, the vote was a close one between 
the rival towns. The strife continued, with more or less bitterness, as will be 
seen in the County Court proceedings, until the Bath people succeeded in get- 
ting the following act passed, in .January. 1843: 

An iic: (a permanently locate the county seat of Mason County. 

Section 1. lie it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General 
■'•111. That on the second Monday in February. A. D. 1843, there shall be an election held 
at Havana, James Walker'?. Lynchburg and Bath, in the county of Mason, and the judges and 
cl/rks of the different election precincts in said county are hereby authorized to open poll-books 
and receive votes at said places for the towns of Havana and Bath, in said county, as candidates 
for the seat of justice for said county. 

Si. 2. The election provided for in the foregoing section shall not be held unless the pro- 
prietors or friends of said town of Bath shall execute and deliver to the Clerk of the County 
Commissioners' Court of said county a good and sufficient bond for a block of lots on which to- 
erect the public buildings in said town, and said proprietors shall also on or before the first dai 
of February, A. D. 1843, make, execute and deliver to said clerk their promissory note with good 
and sufficient security to be approved by said clerk, and said note shall be drawn in substance as 
follow^: "$1,000. Six months after date, we, or either of us, jointly and severally, promise to 
pa; (ieorge T. Virgin. John K. Chaney and Amos Smith, or their order. County rommissioners 
of the county of Mason, or their successors in office, for the use of the county of Mason, the 
sum of one thousand dollars, for value received, dated Mason County, Illinois, February the 
first, A. D. 1843;" ami, if the town of Bath shall receive the greatest number of votes for 
oounty seat, the Clerk shall deliver to the County Commissioner* said note and bond : which 
note and bond may be sued and collected the same as other notes and bonds, ami a certificate 
from the Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of said county certifying that the aforesaid 
iioie ami bond have been filed in his office, with good and sufficient security, approved by him. 
shall be deemed sufficient evidence to authorize the judges and clerks of election to open poll- 
books at the several places in said county tor holding the election as aforesaid. 



126 BISTORT OP M \-' lN < 001 MY 

3* :',. If the clerks and judges shall refuse to open a column Mid receive votes fur the 
town of Bath, after I certificate duly certified agreeable to the provisions of the second section 
of this act shall lie deposited iritfa them, the poll-book of said precinct shall be rejeoted. 

1 do person shall vote at the special election provided for by this act. except BOOB 
- irere residents and legal voters of said oouatv of Mason on the first day of January, 
tad shall continue to reside in said county up to the time of said election. 
Sir. .".. Th«' returns of said election Bhell be made to the Clerk of the County Commis- 
sioners' Court, a^ provided for bj law in relation to other elections, and ssid poll-books -hall be 
opened and compared by ssid clerk and two justices of the peace of said county, and two 
abstracts shall be made OUl and OOrtified and Bubeeiibed by them, and one shall be tiled by said 
clerk in his office an 1 the other transmitted to the Secretary of State 

3n '".. In case the friends of either of said towns shall be dissatisfied with the abstracts 
out by the clerk and justices as aforesaid, and shall wish to purge the poll-books by prov- 
ing off illegal votes, William H. Nelms and Benjamin II. Qattoa shall be considered as repre- 
senting the interests of the town of Hath, and N.J. K ickwell and H. L. Ross as representing t lie 
interest of the town of Havana, and either of said parties may give notice to the other in writ- 
ing, at any time within ten days after said election, which notice shall specify the time that said 
contest shall take place, not to exceed twenty lavs from the time of said election ; and in the 
vveni .it a oontesl M aforesaid, John Camp, Probate Justice of the Peace, Ira Patterson and 
Pollard Simmons, Justices of t lie Peace in and for said county of Mason, are hereby authorised 
and required to meet at the town of Mataniaa at the time specified in the aforesaid notice, and 
ed to hear and determine, from the testimony adduced before them, which of said towns 
has received the greeted number of votes for county seat. Said justices are hereby authorized 
ie subpoenas, -wear witnesses and compel their attend anoe, and, if either party shall lie 
dissatisfied with the decision of s:iid justice-, they shall be allowed an appeal to the t'ircuit 
< ourt of said county. 

7 It' either of said justice- shall refuse or neglect to attend at the time and place of 
trial, the vacancy may be tilled by the other justices. 

i. If the town of Bath shall receive a majority of the legal rotes polled at said elec- 
tion, it shall be the duty of all officers required by law to reside at the county -eat to relieve 
their office-, together with the books, paper- and records appertaining to the same, to the town 
Of Bath, between the 20th day of June and the 4th day of July next. 

-i.. '.'. if the county -eat shall be removed from Havana to Bath, the County Commis- 
sioners shall return the vote and bonds given by the proprietors of Havana to said propi 
and the same shall be null and void. 

St. . 10. The Clerk of the County C aiasioners' Court of -aid county of Mason shall give 

notice of the time and place of holding the election provided for by this tot as in oasc of other 
election-. 

11. This act -shall take effect and lie in force from and after its 

approved January 1 4th. I - I 

At the election held under the provisions of t h i- act, tin- county seal iraa 
located ;it Bath, bj ;> majority so decided as to obviate any further proceedings, 
and in due time the records were removed, as the Ian required, t<> the town "t" 
Bath, and there they remained until in the spring of 1851, eighl years. The 
people "t" Bath, with commendable enterprise and energy, unit n> work at once 
Mini erected a substantial brick Court House. In a t'<w years the question was 
again agitated, and ;it everj session of the Legislature, after the year 1846, 
petitions :iii<l remonstrances, - i ur » ■ * ■• I by men, women and children, went n]> for 
and against removal, and :it each session the leading men of Havana -]n'nt the 
winter in the lobbies ;it Springfield laboring to gel the question again submitted 
to the people. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 427 

On the part of Bath t h«- contest was resisted, mainly by J. M. Ruggles, 
assisted at one session by <<. II. Campbell, and successfully resisted at every 
Bession until in 1851, when, by the help of outside parties, the Legislature was 
induced to submit the question again to a vote of the people, under the pro- 
visions of the following act : 

An Act to relocate the county neat of Mason County : 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the Stale of Illinois, represented in the Genera 
Assembly, That an election shall be held in the county of Mason, on the second Monday of March, 
A. D. 1851, at the usual places of holding elections in said county, for the removal of the seat 
of justice of said county ; at which election the clerks thereof shall open two columns, one for 
Havana, and one against removal, and shall take and record the vote of each qualified voter 
for one of the aforesaid places, or against the removal of the seat of justice of said county, as 
said voter shall direct. 

Ski. "2. The same rules shall be observed in conducting said election, and in making returns 
thereof, and in countingsaid votes, and in all other things, as shall be required by law in elections 
for Senators and Representatives of the General Assembly of this State. The Clerk of the County 
Court shall, immediately on receipt of the election returns, in the presence of two Justices of 
the Peace, open the election returns, compare them, and certify the same to the County Court, 
and the place having a majority of the legal votes of the county shall be and remain the seat of 
justice of said county. 

Sec. 3. No point shall be voted for unless its proprietors, or some of them, shall, at least 
ten days previous to said election, execute a bond, with good and sufficient security, to the Judges 
of the County Court of Mason County, for the payment of the sum of $1,000, payable to said 
County Judges, or their successors in office, for the use of the county, to be applied to the 
erection of public buildings — one-half of said sum of money to be paid when the public buildings 
are commenced, and the other half when said buildings are completed : Provided, however, 
that said bond or bonds shall be void and of no effect as to the proprietors of all places except 
that where the county seat shall be located by a majority of the votes polled. 

Si.. 4. Should it be found that a majority of the voters of said county of Mason, voting 
at such election, have voted for the removal of the county seat as aforesaid, it shall be the duty 
of the County Court of said county, as soon as practicable after sucli election, to cause all 
the public offices of said county (required to be kept at the county seat) to be removed 
to the county seat located under this act ; and it shall be the further duty of the County Court, 
after such relocation of the county seat, to convey to Kean Mahony and Benjamin H. Gatton the 
block of lots donated by the original proprietors of the town of Bath, under an act of the 
General Assembly of the State of Illinois, entitled " An act to locate the county seat of Mason 
County," approved January 14, 1843, together with all and singular the tenements and appur- 
tenances thereon and thereto belonging, unto them, the said Kean Mahony and Benjamin H. 
Gatton, their heirs and assigns forever, in trust for the benefit of the original proprietors of the 
said town of Bath, under such declaration of trust as may be equitably and justly declared by 
the said County Court, according to the respective interests of said original proprietors of the 
town of Bath ; and it shall be the further duty of the County Court <>f Mason County, in the 
event of such relocation of the county seat thereof, to make such remuneration to the original 
proprietors of the. town of Bath, for moneys expended in erecting the Court House in said town, 
as they may deem advisable, and as shall he proven according to law. 

Sic. 6. This act to be in force from and after its passage. 

Approved. February 8, ISM. 

[n the spring of 1850, when the county -eat question was running high, 
John Pemberton was attending court, as one of tin- associates, in Bath, and. whilst 
there, some rowdy boys took out his buggy and anointed it all over, cushions and all. 



128 HISTORY OF M k80» 0OUNT1 

w itli an unsavory lot of human excrement. This dirty '1 1 produced considerable 

excitement, and iras denounced by all decent people in town ; still, Pemberton 
was greatly alarmed, fearing that he might be doped with 1 1 1 « - same horrible 
stuff, and he had no reel of body or mind until he was safely oul ■ -t" t<«%\ n. This 
vile act of the dirty boys rankled in the oostrila of the upper-enders, and they 
took uji the martyr, Jack Pemberton, and made him their representative in the 
Legislature thai year, where he avenged himself upon the Bathites by getting 
in hi- vote for the bill to remove the county seat, showing how precarious is the 
public life of a man who may be elevated so high out of ;i circumstance so low ! 

Alter the passage of the act above recited, the friends of Hath, knowing that 
the heavy increase of population in the Havana interest greatly endangered 
their cause, resorted to a piece of strategy to defeat Havana, but were unsuc- 

ful. They bought eighty acres of land of Dr. Ma-tie. in Section 10, in 
Kilbourne Township, laid it off into town lots, called it Cuba, and went for it as 
the most central and besl place for the county seat, intending t<> make Cuba 
swallow 1 1 ] > Havana, Matanzas and Hath, and become the seal of government of 
Mason < !ounty. 

A campaign was opened, meetings were held at Matanzas and other place-, 
in which eloquenl speeches were made for and against Havana. Smith Turner 
trotted "in old Demosthenes, Cicero, Galileo, ami several other of hi- ancient 
friends, t<> help him in the fighl against Havana. Powell, of Havana, pitched 
into old Galileo, and gave him an unmerciful trouncing, just because he was 
brought into the meeting a- a friend to help Turner. One speaker said: 
■■ Rather than have the county -eat at Havana, he would vote it into the middle 

of Hull- Eye Prairie, where the water- of Noah- tl 1 had not yet subsided, 

ami where the frogs ami tadpoles were the only inhabitants !" A I [avana ' \er~ 
man orator said in reply that he was perfectly willing the people ( .f Bath should 
"go out and li\e mit the toads ami the tadpoles in Hull Eye, for such neighbors 
good enough for them !" 

The da} of election came, ami Havana iiavc the final h|o\v that knocked 

Bath out of time and Cuba out of existence. The people of Bath gave up .ill 
hopes of again becoming the county seat, and turned their attention to other 
enterprises, although some of them suffered largely in their fortune- by the 

result. The vote >t 1: For removal. 894 vote-: againsl removal. 47'. 1 vote-. 

PRECINl I Ill-loin . 

At the tin f the organization of the county, in 1841, there were hut three 

precincts in the territory out of which the county was formed. The date of the 
formation of these three precincts i- unknown to us, ami. a- the record of them 
belongs to other counties, it i- not given. 

Havana Precinct included all the territory belonging to Tazewell County, 

extending from the north line of tie- county ;i- far SOOth a- the north line of 

Town 'J 11 . The firsl ''lection in the precinct of which we have any record was on 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4l >( .» 

tl it- T tl i of August, L837, when there were but twelve votes cast. David Adam- 
and Isaac Parkhursl were, at the time, Justices of the Peace. Eli Fisk and 
A. W. Kemp were also Justices of the Peace before the county was organized, 
and as early as L838. 

Salt Creek Precinct contained what is now the townships of Mason City, 
Salt Creek and Crane Creek, except that part of Mason City thai lies north of 
Town 20. The only Justice known to us before the organization of the county, 
in the precinct, was Ira Patterson, who was aerving as a Justice of the Peace at 
that time. 

Texas Precinct included the territory lying west of Sail Creek and extending 
to the Illinois ami Sangamon Rivers, of which Kilbourne, Bath and Lynchburg 
Townships are now composed. Albert J. Field and Arthur Morrow were elected 
Justices of the Peace in this precinct in 1838. These three constitute the orig- 
inal precincts of Mason City, and the remaining precincts were organized by the 
County Court in the order and date here given. 

Lynchburg Precinct was formed out of that portion of Texas Precinct lying 
west of the range line running between '.• and 10. in the month of June. 1841. 

Crane Creek Precinct was set off from the west side of Salt Creek Precinct 
in March. 1843. 

Quiver Precinct was next in the order of formation, ami was, at the same 
term of court, set off from Havana, and contained the territory lying north of 
the Quiver River to the county line. 

At this same term of court, Texas Precinct had its name changed to Bath. 

Sangamon Precinct was formed ou# of Bath and Crane Creek on the 8th of 
•June. 1S47, and was abolished in the year 1850. There was a general change 
and adjustment of precinct lines at the time Sangamon Precinct was organized. 

Matanzas Precinct was organized out of Bath and Havana Precincts, on the 
7th of September, 1*47. and continued to the time of the adoption of township 
organization, in 1861, when it was left out of the new order or arrangement. 

Allen's Grove Precinct was organized on the 2d day of September, 1s.~>1, out 

of territory belonging to Havana, Salt Creek and Quiver Precincts. 

Egypt Precinct was organized out of territory taken from Allen's drove and 
Quiver, on the 11th of March. 1853, and the name was changed to Manito on 
the Nth of September, 1858. 

Prairie ('reek Precinct wa- organized out of territory taken from the cast 
side of Salt Creek, on the 8th of December, 1857. The name was changed to 
Mason Cityin September, 1858. 

Mason Plain- Precinct was organized our of the territory that now consti- 
tute- Forest City Township, on the 8th of December, 1857. 

Pennsylvania Precinct wa- organized on the 8th of December, l s -">7. and 
wa- the last precinct organized in Mason County, making an even dozen, which 
Dumber continued to the date of the abolishment of the precinct system, in 
1861. 



480 HI8T0R1 OF M 180N OOUNT1 



TOWNSHIP HISTORY. 

At the November election, in 1861, the question of the adoption of township 
• •I ganization was submitted to m vote of Mason County, and carried in its favor, 
by m vote of 1,030 for, and 860 against. 

<>n the 4tli of December, L861, the County Court appointed B. II. Gatton, 
Lyman Lacy and Matthew Langston, Commissioners to divide the county into 
townships according to law, and make a report to the March term of court. 

< >n the •""! day of March, 1*''»:J. the court met, received and adopted the 
report <>f the Commissioners, concluded its business "ii the 5th of March, and 
adjourned, never to meel again for the transaction of county business! 

The commissioners divided the county into eleven townships, as follows: 
1. Mason City; -. Allen's Grove; •"-. Salt ('reck: 4. Pennsylvania; •"». 
Mason Plains; 'i. Manito; 7. Quiver; 8. Havana; '•'. Crane Creek; L0. 
Bath; 11. Lynchburg. 

The commissioners fixed the boundaries of these several townships, winch we 
do n<>t think it necessary to give, as they are the Bameas qow, excepl the forma- 
tion of Slioi i in 1 1 nut of I [avana and Pennsylvania, and Kilbourne out of Bath ami 
Crane Creek, and some Blight changes in township line.-, that have since been 
made. 

< Mi the 1-th of May, 1862, the newly elected Board of Supervisors met and 
organized for business, assuming the official control of the affairs of the people of 
Mason < bounty. 

Tin- new system Beems to give general satisfaction, especially to those who 
aspire to be Supervisors, and other township officials. There can be no doubt 
that the System has added vastly t" the county expenses, as ma\ be Been by ■ 
comparison of the cost of county assessments under the old and the new order. 

In 1841, the amount paid For the entire assessments of the property of Mason 

County, by Ira Patterson, was (24.50. The ai mt paid .1. K. Teney, the last 

Assessor under the old system, lor the year 1861, was $565, more than double 
the amount paid for any other year's assessment up to thai time. That, how- 
ever, was tin- lasl chance, which made it a "ground-hog <a-e ! It may he that 

Patterson was looking ahead to the time when he mighl be Governor of some 
State, ami Teney was not ! which make- a difference. 

The total cost of county assessments in Mason County, for the twenty-one 
yean nmler the old system, was onl) $3,948.81, and the average yearly expense, 
$188.04! 

Under township organisation, the amounl paid for the first year's assessment 

in all the town-. \\a- $195, a \er\ favorahlc contrast with the cost of the year 

ire. The business was a growing one. however, for it ran up gradually ami 
rapidly, until the year 1871, when it reached the Bum of $1,224.50. The 
amounl paid out by the people of the county for the assessment of property, 
from the year 1862, to th< yea 1 v Tl'. both inclusive, was $7,915.25, making an 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 431 

average yearly expense to the people of $719.57, for the first eleven years, undei 
township organization. Since the year 1872, the law requires each township t<> 
pay its own Assessor, and we have not any information as to the cost of assess 1 
incuts in the several townships since that date. The presumption is that it has 
not been materially diminished. 

The following is a list of the Supervisors that have been elected and served 
in the several townships, and also of the .Justices of the Peace that are now in 
office. 

The townships are given in the order of their creation as precincts or town- 
ships: Havana— 1862, Alfred Biggs; 1st;:). Alfred Biggs; 1864, .John 1). 
Cory; 1865, Thomas A. Dixon: 1866, George A. Blanchard; 1867, George 
A. Blanchard; 1868, Robert S. Moore: 1869, John L. Mowder; 1870, James 
11. Hole: 1871, William Waugh ; 1*72, Judson R. Foster; 1873, Richard R. 
Simmons; 1*74. Robert Schofield; 187"), .James F. Kelsey; 1*7»'>, J. F. Kel- 
sey: 1*77. Marcellus Dearborn; 1878, J. F. Kelsey: 1879, J. F. Kelsey. 
Present .Justices of the Peace, Jacob Prettymaii and A. D. Hopping. Police 
Magistrate of Havana, .John S. Kirk. 

Bath— 1862, .James II. Allen : 1863, J. II. Allen : 1864, B. H. Gatton : 1865> 
Charles S. Thompson : 1866, C. S. Thompson : 1<SI)7, John II. Schulte : 1868, B. 
11. Gatton;1869 3 P.. H.Gatton; 1870, B. H. Gatton; 1871, B. II. Gatton; 1872, 
B.H.Gatton; 1873, Gerard II. Havinghorst; 1874, Robert Pierson; 1875, Robert 
Pierson: 1876, Robert Pierson: 1877, John H. Dierker; 1878, J. II. Dierker, 

and 1S7'.», J. II. Dierker. The only Justice of the Peace now in office in the 
Township is Leland Carpenter, who has served continuously since 1854. 

Salt Creek— 1862, Selah Wheaden, Chairman; I860, Selah Wheaden, 
Chairman: 1864, Jacob Benscoter; l*<i.~>, A. II. Fisher: 1866, Joseph A. 
Phelps; 1867, C. L. Montgomery; 1868, J. A. Phelps: 1869, C. L. Montgom- 
ery ; 1870, J. S. Black; 1871.' A. Thompson: 1872, A. Thompson: 1873, 
Aaron A. Blunt: 1874. A. A. Blunt; 1875, A. A. Blunt: 1876, Abner 
Thompson; 1*77. II. C. Burnham; 1*7*. P. C. Agnew; 1*7'.'. II. C Burnham. 
The Justices of the Peace now in office are II. C. Burnham and Joseph Silvev. 

Lynchburg — 1862, Isaac Sarf, elected and resigned, and Henry Abbott, 
appointed and served in his place ; 1863, John J. Fletcher ; 1864, J. J. Fletcher: 
L865, [saacSarf; 186<i. Isaac Sarf: 1867, Isaac Sarf: 180*. R. .1. Phelps: 1869, 
William Ainsworth; 1870, William Ainsworth : 1*71, William Ainsworth ; 
1872, William Ainsworth ; 1873, J. II. Layman: 1874, William Ainsworth ; 
1875, William Ainsworth; 1876, William Ainsworth, Chairman ; L877, William 
Ainsworth; 1878, J. H. Layman, and l' s 7!'. J. II. Layman. The only Justice 
of the Peace now in office is John J. Fletcher. Amos Smith was the first Jus- 
tice elected in the precinct, in 1*41. and he served until his death, in 1851. 

Quiver— 1862, Aaron Little: 1863, A. Little: l*l'.4. A. Little: 1865, A. Lit- 
tle. Chairman: !*»;.;. A. Little: 1867, A. Little ; 1868, A. Little ; 1869,A.Lit : 
tie: l*7u. John McReynolds; 1*71. A. Little: 1872, Pollard S. Anno: 1873, John 



432 BISTOBY OF MASON COl STY 

McReynolds; L874, James W. Kelly; 1875, J. W. Kelly; 1876, J. W. Kelly; 
1877, J. W. K.IK : 1878, J. W. KV1K ; 1879, J. W. Kelly. Philip Brown is 
the present Justice of the Peace, and John W. Downey is a Police Magisti 
in Topeka. 

Crane Creek — 1862, James L. Hawks ; 1863, James L. Hawks; 1864, J. 
I.. Hawks; 1865, J. L Hawks; 186b, Harvey O'Neal; 1867, J. H. Baker; 
1868, H. O'Neal ; 1869, J. L. Hawki; 1870, J. L. Hawks; 1871, C. L. 
A.gnew; 1872, C. L. Agnew; 1873, N. It. Murdock; 1874, J. L. Hawks; 
L875, J. I.. Hawks; 1876, J. L. Hawks; 1 -77. .1. L. Hawks; 1878, W. J. 
Estep; 1879, .1. L. Hawks. The Justices of the Peace now in office are John 
Yardly and John T. Tomlin. 

Allen'- Grrov( — 1862, James Legg; 1863, James Legg; 1864, Jonathan 
Corej . 1865, Isaac Reed; 1866, Isaac Reed; 1867, James Legg ; 1869, James 
Legg; 1870, James Legg; 1-71. William M. Duffey; 1-7J. William M 
DufTey; 1873, W. M. Duffey; 1874, William Smith; 1875, William Smith; 
1876, E. W. Nelson; 1-77. E. W. Nelson ; 1878, E. W. Nelson; 1-7''. I'.. W. 
Taylor. Justices of the Peace, Albert M cCallister and John M. Cathcart; C. 
.1. Dillon, Police Magistrate in San Jose. 

Manito — 1862, Matthew Langston; 1863, M. Langston; 1864, M. Lang- 
uton : 1865, M. Langston; 1866, William M. Ganson ; 1867, William M 
Ganson; 1868, William M. Ganson; 186 ( .». .1. <;. Spates; 1870, J. G. Spates; 
1-7 1. William Rodgers; 1872, M. W. Rodgers; 1-7:;. M. W. Rodgers; 1874, 
11. 1". Briggs; 1-7-".. II. V. Briggs, Chairman; 1876, M. Langston; 1-77. M. 

langston : 1878, M. Langston ; 1879, J. < '. Perkins. Tl uly Justice of the 

Peace nuw in office is William B. Robinson. RuloffS. Aiken is Police Magis- 
trate in Manito. 

Maeon City— 1862, R. \. Hart; 1863, B. A. Rosebrough; 1864, John S. 
Wilbourn, Chairman; 1865, J. S. Wilbourn, Chairman; 1866, J. L. Hastings, 
resigned, and C. Hume appointed in lii> place, January 28, 1-''" ; 1861 
Hume; 1868, J. S. Baner; 1869, [srael Hibbard; 1870, l». E. Leeourd; 1871, 
D. E. Lesourd; 1872, William II. Mitchel; 1873, l>. E. Lesourd; 1-71. 

U8t us Green, Chairman; ls7-~.. Patrick Norton; 1876, B. A. Rosebrough; 
1-77. B. \. Rosebrough; 1-7-. II. A. Rosebrough, Chairman; 1- 
B. A. Rosebrough, Chairman. Justices of the Peace, -I'-lin P. Hudson 
nnd Israel Hibbard. Joseph C.Johnson i> the Police Magistrate for Mason 
City. 

Pores! City — which \\;i- named "Mason Plains" until 1*71 — 1-'»J. S. II 
[ngersoU; 1868, S. II. Iir_ r «T>nll ; 1864, S. II. Ingersoll; 1865, - II. foger- 
mll: 1-ti' - .. W. \. McHarry; 1867, S. II. [ngersoll; L868, 3. II. Ingei 
1869, D. C. White; 1-7". D. C. White; 1871, S. II. [ngersoll; 1872, S. II 
Ingersoll; 1878, S. II. [ngersoll; 1-7 1. S. II. [ngersoll; 1-7 - II [nger- 
poll; 1-7''.. S. II. [ngersoll; 1-77. S. II. [ngersoll— Mr. [ngersoll died Novem- 
1 -77. and S. T. Walker was appointed to till the vacanc) —1 -7-. - 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 133 

Walker: 187'.», S. T. Walker. The present Justices of the Peace are Thomas 
II. ( ribson and Mayfield < rordon. 

Pennsylvania— 1862, John Mathers; 1863, I>. V. Benscoter; L864, 1>. V. 
Benscoter; 1865, D. V. Benscoter; 1866, D. L. Ray; 1867, J. II. Mathews; 

1868, John W. Pugh; 1869, J. W. Pugh; L870, J. W. Pugh, Chairman ; 1871, 
John W. Pugh, Chairman; 1872, J. W. s Pngh, Chairman; 1873, J. W. Pugh, 

• Chairman; 1874, W. E. Dolcater; 1816, <L W. Benscoter; 1876, J. W. Pugh, 
1877, John W. Pugh : Chairman : 18-78, -J. W. Pugh; 1879, J. W. Pugh. The 
present Justices of the Peace are James M. Harris and Andrew •'. Cates. 

Sherman was organized September 12, 1866, with the name of "Jackson 
Township," which was changed to Sherman on the 28th of January, 1 S, '>7. 
Supervisors — 1867, M. II. Lewis, Chairman; 1868, M. II. Lewi-, Chairman; 

1869, M. H. Lewis, Chairman; 1870, M. A. Kisler; 1871, Thomas Lucas; 
1872, Thomas Lucas: 1873, T. Lucas ; 1874, Alfred Athey; 1875, Alfred 
Athey; 1876, Alfred Athey ; 1877, A. Athey; 1878, Alfred Athey; 1879, 

Alfred Athey. The only Justice of the Peace now in office is Isaac W. Dejuie. 

Kilhourne. the youngest of the thirteen townships, was organized in 1878. 
Her first Supervisor was. in 1873, A. S. Blakely; 1874, A. S. Blakely; 1875, 
A. S. Blakely; 1876, A. S. Blakely; 1877, William Dwyer; 1878, James 
M. Hardin; 1879, J. M. Hardin. The .Justices of the Peace now serving are 
J. S. Bingham and C. L. Newell. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

At the time of the organization of the county, in 1.841, to the time of the 
adoption of the constitution, in 1848, the county business was transacted by 
three County Commissioners, one of whom was elected annually on the first. 
Monday of August, at which time all county and State elections were held. 
The probate business was transacted by a " Probate Justice of the Peace." elec- 
ted once iii four years. The real estate records were kept by a County Recorder, 
elected once in four years, until after the adoption of the constitution, in 1*4 S . 
when the Circuit Clerk became an ex officio County Recorder. Sheriffs were 
also e\ officio County Collectors of taxes, and continued to he until the adoption 
of township organization, in 1862. Assessments for taxes were made by County 
Assessors, elected every two years, who were also e\ officio County Treasurers, 
to the time township organization was adopted. 

COIN IV COMMISSIONERS. 

The following is a list of the County Commissioners of Mason County, _ 
in-- the dates of their election and time they served, viz.: April 5, 1841, George 
T. Virgin, three years: April 5. 1841, Robert Faulkner, two years; April •">, 
1841, Albert J. Field, one year; August, 1841, Amos Smith, three years; 
August, 1842, John R. Chaney, three years; August, l s 4d. Abner Baxter, 
three years; August, 1844, Amos Smith, three years; August, 1845, Robert 
McReynolds, three years; August, 1846, Henry Norris, three years; August, 



BI8T0R1 "l M kSOH 001 MY 

1847, Amoe Smith, three years; August, L848, Robert McReynolds, three 
August, L849, Henry Norris, three years. The County Commissioners' 
Court was abolished in 1849, and County Court established, consisting of a 
< lounty Judge and two Associate Justices of the P< a 

OODim I I - »HD ASSOC] IMS. 

November, l v 4'.'. Smith Turner was elected County Judge, and John Pem- 
berton and Robert McReynolds, Associate Justices of the Peace; l v -"» : '-. N. J. 
Rockwell was elected County Judge, David Corey and .l<>lm II. Daniels, Ase 
ciates. Mi. Corey >li«-< 1 in February, 1853, and II. < '. Burnham was elected in 
April to fill the vacancy; 1857, George II. Campbell was elected County Judge, 
John I>. Corey and -I . .-< j •} i A. Phelps, Associates. Judge Campbell resigned 
September 1. 1858, and Robert McReynolds was elected t<> fill the vacancy; 
- i. Joseph A. Phelps was elected County Judge, John 1>. Corey and 15. A. 
Rosebrough, Associates. This terminated the County Court n- then organized, 
being superseded by township organization in 1862. 

< 01 \ l \ ■ B8. 

ITuder t>>u n>lii|i organization, the County Judges have been ;i- follows: 1 v, '_. 

hi. A. Phelps, balance of term for which he was elected; 1865, Matthew 
Langston, elected and served four years; 1869, Henry Warner, elected and 
served four years; l s T-i. John A. Mallory, elected and served four years ; 1877, 
John A. Mallory, elected and still holding the office. 

PBOBATB JOBTICW 01 I II Pi k< I 

John < ' : ■ 1 1 1 j • was first elected to the office, and Berved from 1M1 t<> 1842. 
1842, Hoag Sherman was elected Probate Justice of the Peace. In L843, 
John Camp was elected and Berved until 1847. In L847, Smith Turner was 
• ■I and served until the office was abolished, in I s 19. 

I in \-n <-i t i;k> 

Joseph A. Phelps was the firsl County Clerk elected, April 5, 1841, and 
«;i> removed by the County Commissioners' Court in September. Gn ge W. 
Fielding was appointed County Clerk in September, 1841, and Berved until 
Vugust, 1842. J. A. Phelps was again elected in 1842, and served one year. In 
-l :.. .1. A. Phelps was elected the third time, and served until l s 47. In 
1847, Vdolph Krebaum was elected, and Berved two years. In l s 4'.'. Adolph 
Krebaum was again elected, under the Constitution of 1848, and served four 
years. In 1853, I. N. Onstott \\;i- elected, and served until his death, Novem- 
ber 7. L856. November 7. 1856, Adolph Krebaum was appointed County 
< !lerk by Judge Rockwell, to serve until December, when he was electedfor the 
balance of the term. 1 v -*7. \<l<>l|ili Krebaum was again elected, and served 
four year* .-i- County Clerk. 1861, Vdolph Krebaum was again elected, for the 
fifth time, and Berved four years more. 1865, William W. Stout was elected 
and Berved until his death, September 1. 1869; Samuel Elliott was appointed 

Judgt Warner to fill out the vacancy. 1869, Isaac Newton Mitchell was 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4:55 

elected Clerk, and served four years. 187:'), William M. Granson was elected 
Clerk, and served four years. 1877. William M. Ganson was again elected Clerk, 
without opposition ; still in office. 

CIRCUIT CLERKS. 

- .Joseph A. Phelps was appointed the first Circuit Clerk, by Judge 8. 11. 

Treat, in December, 1841, and served until his successor was appointed, in 
184-"). Franklin 8. D. Marshall was appointed Circuit Clerk by Judge Samuel 
D. Lockwood, May 24, 1845, and served until his successor was elected, in 
1848. -John S. Wilbourn was elected Circuit Clerk and ex officio Recorder in 
1848, and served four years. .J. S. Wilbourn was again elected Circuit Clerk- 
in 18oi>, and served four years longer. 1856, Richard Ritter was elected Cir- 
cuit Clerk, and served four years. 18*10, Orlando II. Wright was elected 
Circuit Clerk, and served four years. 1864, John 11. Havighorst was elected 
Circuit Clerk, and served four years. 18(38, George A. Blanchard was elected 
Circuit Clerk, and served four years. 1872, Leonard Sehwenk was elected 
Circuit Clerk, and served four years. 1876, Leonard Sehwenk was again 
elected Circuit Clerk, and is still in that office. 

COUNTY RECORDERS. 

Smith Turner was elected at the first election, in 1841, and served until 
September 7, 1843. Leroy S. .Jones was elected in August. 1848. and served 
until the office was abolished, in 1848. 

.SHERIFFS. 

Francis Low was the first Sheriff elected at the organization of the county, 
in 1841. 184*2, Francis Low was again elected, and served two years longer. 
1844, Isaac H. Hodge was elected by one vote over Kean Mahoney, and the 
race was run over again, when Hodge won the second heat by one vote. 1846, 
Isaac 11. Hodge was again elected, and, at the end id* his term, proved to he a. 
defaulter. 1848. .John II. Havighorst was elected, and served two years 

1850, Robert Klkins was elected, and served two years. 1852, Robert 11 
Walker was elected, and served two years. 1854, .James II. Hole was elected, 
and served two years. 1856, J. Price West was elected, and served two years, 
and ended a defaulter. 18">8, .John H. Havighorst was again elected for two 
years. 1860, Joseph Y. Hanthoru was elected, and served two years. 1862, 
•John 11. Havighorst was elected for the third time, and served two years. 
1864, James L- Hastings was elected, and served two years. lShti. Lambert 

M. Hillyer was elected for tw<» years. 1868, David B. Phelps was elected, aid 
served two years. 187", .John II. Cleveland was elected, and served two v 
187 -. Lambert M. Hillyer was again elected for two years. 1874. Lambert M. 
Hillyer was elected the third time, and served two years. 1876, Joseph Hart- 
•/.ell was elected, and served two years. 1 S 7 S . Joseph Hartzell w 
elected and is still in office. 



HI8T0RY 01 HA80S 0ODNTY. 

*-- T : I \-ri i - 

The following is ;i list of the names of those who Berved, together with the 
amounts paid them for making the county assessments : April 5, 1841, Ira Patter- 
bod wih elected, and was paid for the assessments, in 1841. $24.50. For the year 
1842, > v J. ha ratter^. ii was an early settler <'ii Salt ('reck, was elected u 
Justice of the Peace in 1838, and some years afterward, removed to Oregon Ter- 
ritory, and after it became a State, was elected Governor of Oregon! 1843, 
Thomas Hubbard was paid for thirty-six days' assessing, $72. It does nol 
appear from the records whether he was elected or not. 1844, George II. 
( lampbell was paid for forty-three days assessing, $86. In 1845, he was paid 
for thai Bervice, $53.50. 1846, George H. Campbell was elected; allowance 
for assessment that year, $160. 1847, he was paid, for assessing, S1l!4. 1M X . 
Samuel Cannon was paid, for assessing, $150. L849, be was paid $197 
for assessing. 1850, John Cooper was paid, for assessing, sli>4.ii<i. ls.'.l. he 
was paid for that work $180. lv~>_'. Joseph 1'. Benner was paid for assessing, 
$200. 1853, li<- was paid for snue work. 318."). ls.",4. Rohert Me Reynolds 
was paid for assessing, $270. 1855, he was paid for that work, $272.50. 
L856, Robert McReynolds was paid for assessing, $262.50. l v ~>7. he was paid 
$'2 2.50, for that work. L 858, Joseph Statler was paid for assessing, $185. 
1859, In- was paid for assessing, $203.75. I860, John 1!. Teney was paid for 
assessing, >-'7 x . L861, he was paid for that service, $405, and T. J. Kemper. 
for Assistant Assessor, $107.50, and J. II. Schulte, for assessing personal 
property, $52.50. This was the lasl year of the County Assessor's work. 

. ci m •■. nasASDi 

Under township organisation, the County Treasurers have been: 1861, J. 
I>. \V. Bowman; 1863, Selah Wheadon; l s, '>.*,. Benjamin A. Rosebrough; 
l s 'i7. [saac Newton Mitchel; 1869, Benjamin West; 1871, Benjamin West, 
who died in August, 1873, leaving the office a defaulter; l s 7:'.. Marcellus Dear- 
born was appointed, and served balance of term after the death of West; l s 7'.. 
Samuel Bivens was elected, and served ; 1875, Samuel Bivens was again elected ; 
Samuel Bivens was elected for the third time, and i- now in office. 

BOHOOl 0OMMIS8IO9I KB. 

Since the organisation of the county, the following persons have filled that 
office: 1841, George N.Walker: 1843, John L. Turner; L848, E. B. Harp- 
ham; 1851, Samuel C. Conwell; 1854, Richard Ritter; 1857, Orlando II. 
Wright ; 1859, Selah Wheadon ; 1861, W. E. Kenox ; 1863, William Warnock,Jr. 

Comn BtTPI B1MTI RDEHTS "i -> H - 

F,,r 1865, II. II. Moos< . 1869, II. H. Moose, resigned in 1872; 1872,S.M. 
ger appointed t" lill vacancy; l s 7-".. S. M. Badger elected ; l s 77. s. M 
Badger still in office. 

ho,- L841, Patrick W. Campbell; 1848, P. W. Campbell; L845, P. w. 
Campbell; 1847, James Boggs ; 1849, Jamet Boggs; 1851, William E. Dicks; 



1 
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 437 

1853, John M. Sweeney; 1855, E.Z. Hunt: 1857, P. W. Campbell; 1859, Wm. 
T. Newton: 18<>1. John Donlin, resigned in 1862; 1862, P. W. Campbell elec- 
ted to fill vacancy; 1863, P. W. Campbell; 1865, Joseph C. Warnock; 1867, 
John J. Fletcher; 1869, John R. Faulkner; 1871, John R. Faulkner; 1873, 
John R. Faulkner; 1875, Jamee Boggs, elected for four years under new law. 

CORONERS. 

For 1841, Jas. D.Averill; 1842, John H.Neteler; 1844, John H.Neteler; 
L846, J. D. Averill ; 1848, John Adams; 1850, John Adams: 1852, Eli 
Thornburgh; 1854, Jamee Boggs; 1856, William J. Odle ; 1858, John McCor- 
mac: 1862, Lambert M. Hillyer; 1866, George W. Cole: 1868, Robert Mc- 
Reynolds; 1870, Isaac L. Tinkham; 1*72. Isaac L. Tinkham; 1874. Isaac L. 
Tinkham ; 1876, Isaac L. Tinkham; 1878, Isaac L. Tinkham. 

CIRCUIT JUDGES. 

Judge Samuel II. Treat, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court and Pre- 
siding Judge of the Eighth Circuit, held the first term of court in Mason County 
at Havana, in the Ross Hotel, on the 12th of November, 1841. He appointed 
Joseph A. Phelps Circuit Clerk, and, in the absence of the Attorney General, 
appointed John D. Urquhart Attorney General, pro tempore. In two days, the 
docket was cleared of the thirty-eight cases thereon and court adjourned. Judge 
Treat held court two days in November, 1842. and disposed of thirty-eight cases 
on the docket : on the 8th of dune. 1843, he held court one day and disposed 
of the twenty cases on docket. This was his last term of court in Havana, 
dune »». 1844, Judge Treat held the first term of court in Bath, which was his 
last term of court held in Mason County. Judge Samuel D. Lockwood held 
the next term of court on the 23d and 24th of May. 184"). and appointed Frank- 
lin S. I). Marshall Clerk of the Court. He continued to hold court in Bath 
until the l'.'th of Octoher, 1848. which was the last term held by Judge hock- 
wood, and also of Mar-hall as Clerk. Judge David M. Woodson, of the First 
Circuit, held the next term of court in April, 1849, John S. Wilbourn, Clerk. 
The last term of court in Bath was held by Judge Woodson, November 18, 1850. 
Judge William A. Minshall held the next term of court at Havana, on the 19th 

of May, 1851, Robert S. Blacjkwell, Prosecuting Attorney; J. S. Wilbourn, 
Clerk. The Judges that have presided in the Mason County Circuit Court 
since Judge Minshall, have been: Judge Pinckney II. Walker (now of the 
Supreme Court), elected in 1855; dames Harriott, elected in 1861; Charles 
Turner, elected in L867 ; Lyman Lacey, elected in 1873, and. at the organiza- 
tion of the Appellate Court, in 1877, was appointed one of the Appellate Judges 
in the Springfield District. Judge Lyman Lacy was again elected one of the 
Judges of the Thirteenth Judicial District in June, 1879, and has since been 
assigned to the Ottawa District a> one of the Appellate Judges. 

STATE ATTORNEYS. 

The following is the list of State Attorneys within the Judicial District- to 
which Mason County belonged, viz.: Robert S. Blackwell, elected in 1849; 



438 HISTORY OF MASON I OUNTY 

John S. Bailey, elected in 1853; Hugh Fullerton, of Mason, elected in 1857; 
Hugh Fullerton, elected in 1861 ; C. \. Roberts, elected in 1865; Cas. Whit- 
ii. v. elected in 1869. __ 

i ..I R ! ^ \ I liilivnv 

William II. Rogers iras elected the first County Attorney, under the present 

law, in l s ~i!. and served four years, leaving tl ffice a defaulter. Thomas J. 

Mehan \s;i^ elected County Attorney in l s 7 ( i. and is still in office, in 187'.*. 

M K-l KF- is i H UK( BBT. 

The records do uot show that we had any Master in Chancery before the 
appointment of F. S. I>. Marshall, who served from an early date up to October, 
1 8 53. Date of appointment ool known. Nathan Powell was the successor of 
Marshall, and Berved up to the year 1857 : John S. Wilbourn was the successor 
of Powell, and served to the year 1861 ; George A. Blanchardwas the suca 
of Willie. urn. and served one year and resigned; J. F. Coppel] was appointed in 
October, 1862, and served to October, 1865; George A. Blanchard was 
appointed in October, 1865, and served three years; James M. Buggies was 
appointed in November, 1867, and served to January il'-h L869, when he 
resigned; J. F. Coppel] was appointed January li'-h 186'.', and -erved to August, 
l s 7.">: John II. Havighorst was appointed in August, 1875, and -till holds the 
office, in 1 s 7'.'. 

DBLBQATB8 PO OONSTFTUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 

Franklin S. I>. Marshall, of Bath, was elected and served as a delegate n 

the Convention that fori 1 the Constitution for the State «>f Illinois, in 1848 ; 

Orlando II. Wright, of Havana, was elected and served as a delegate in the 
Convention that formed the State Constitution, in 1870. 

MEMBERS OF l III. BT \ DB U.'.IH. \ I I ELB. 

Since the organization of the county, the following persons have been elected 
and Berved as members of the Hlinois < reneral Vssembly : 

Senator*. — rames M. Buggies was elected to the Semite from the counties 
of Sangamon, Menard and Mason, in 1852, and served four years. \t that 
time, the Legislature was composed of twenty-five Senators and seventv-five 
Bepresental h es. 

Luther Dearborn was elected to the Semite from the district composed of 
Mason, Menard, Cass and Brown Counties, in 1 s 7*i. The Legislature ;it thi^ 
tune i- composed of fifty-one Senators and 153 Representatives. 

/,' • • ' '• hi 1846, Michael Swing was elected a Representative in 

the Legislature, und served two vears. In 1850, John Pemberton was electee! 
:i Representative in the Legislature, and Berved two years, h L868, John M 
Beeslej was elected a Representative in the Legislature, and Berved two years. 
In 1870, Matthew Langston was elected a Representative in the Legislature, 
and Berved two vears. In 1872, II. II. Moore was elected and served two 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 441 

years as a Representative in the Legislature. In 1874. John Pugh was elected 
and served two years as a Representative in the Legislature. In 1876, Jacob 
Wheeler was elected a Representative, and served two years in the Legislature. 
In 1878, Jacob Wheeler was again elected a Representative, and is still a mem- 
ber of* the Legislature, in 1S7 ( .'. 

AGRICULTURAL \M> tMPLEMENTAL. 

At the time of the first settlement of Mason County, agriculture was in its 
infancy. The farmer was contented and happy if he raised enough wheat to 
bread his family, do his seeding, and perhaps spare a few bushels to his newlv 
Mttled neighbor. There were no grain merchants in those days, with mammoth 
warehouses and elevators, with banks full of money with which to buy up the 
surplus products of the country. The ground was poorly plowed with wooden 
plows, slovenly scratched over with wooden-toothed harrows ; the wheat was 
sown by hand, brushed in with a black-jack sapling, cut with a sickle, threshed 
on the ground by the tread of horses or oxen, and carried to mill and ground by 
the same animal power. The corn-ground was plowed in the same way, marked 
both ways with a single plow, planted with a hoe. and cultivated with hoes ami 
single shovel-plows, a little larger than a man's hand. Truly, agriculture was 
in its infancy then, but the great and grand family of farm implements were not 
yet born into existence. The virgin soil, however, was generous to the hus- 
bandman, as the maiden with her first lover, and yielded bountifully with the 
least amount of cultivation. 

The people, in those fifty year- ago, made their own houses out of the logs 
that grew in the forest, raised the corn and wheat that made their bread, hunted 
the deer and turkey when tired of bacon, and. when in want of honey, hunted 
up a bee-tree and cut it down. The women — heaven bless them! — spun flax 
and wool, and made clothing for the family and themselves, and were just as 
happy in their linsey-woolsey dresses then, as now in their silks and satins. The 
hard work, hard living and plain dressing of those days, would cause the girls 
of our period to elevate their Grecian noses to a very sharp angle; but it is well 
enough to remind them that these same women were, perhaps, their own grand- 
mothers, their cousin- and their aunts, who thus toiled ami spun to lav the 
foundations of fortune, which enables them to live in luxury and elegance. The 
memory of those days is well preserved in the poetry of some backwoods bard, 
fioiu which we quote : 

■■ The old log cabin, with its puncheon floor — 
The old log cabin, with its clapboard door — 
Shall we ever forget its moss-grown roof? 
The old rattling loom, with its warp and woof? 
The old slick chimney, of • cat ' and clay — 
The old hearthstone, where we used to pray? 
No ! we'll not forget the old wool wheel, 
Nor the hank on the old count-reel. 



442 BISTORT OP M LSOM I OOBT1 

how WQ\ 
The sweet honeycomb with the fat deer-nv 
u • not foi -• ' ■ bake 

That best of bread, the old johnny-cake." 

Tradition Bavs the first innovations in agriculture and anima.1 culture were 
introduced in this county 1 3 I Conwell. In 1840, he brought from Indiana 
:i drove of domestic animals of superior grade and Bold them to the farmers .it 
fabulous prices. Pigs were sold at $400 a pair; calves, as high as (400 apiece; 
cows, and <:itt 1<- of the male persuasion, Bheep and other animal.-. :tt correspond- 
ing rates. Like most pioneer benefactors, Conwell was victimized. The farm- 
ers to whom he had Bold became dissatisfied with their stock. George Virgin 
had boughl one of tin- (400 calves, and concluded it was a young elephant 
on his hands. He held :i war council of his granger friends to pass upon the 
quality of the blood thai animated hi> calf. They examined it from head t<» 
tail, outside and inside, observed all tin- flesh marks, compared them wit] 
putative Bire, and, finally, pronounced it ;i fraud! Mr. Conwell was arrested 
and taken before Squire Patterson (since Governor of Oregon) and bound over 

£1,000 bond to appear al the bar of the Circuit Court of Mason County 
first-class criminal! When the grand jury took the case in hand, Jesse Baker 
made them a Bpeech in these words, as near as can be remembered: "You 
can'l do nothin' with tliis young Jerusalem-over-taker ; he's too smart for ye, 
and veil better 1 « - 1 him go." And the iury let him go, with hut one objecting 
juryman. The jury let him if", but the reputation which this stock bus 
gave him. with a certain class of people, hangs <>n t<> him to this day. 

Mr. Conwell made the first marker used in the county for corn-planting. 
The old »;i\ of plowing furrows and planting with a hue was a little too much 
work for him. Begot a saw and auger and old wagon-tongue, and madi 
original marker that laid off four rows instead "I" one, which wasa great sa 

■ 

tn a lazy man. Then he got an old spade and fastened on an old shovel-plow 
stock ami made a jumper to cover the corn with. The neighboring people looked 
en and commented on "the lazy Yankee, with his fool notions;" bul in a 
or two these were established institutions. The old way of carryii of 

wheat and Bowing oul of it by hand \e\ed the righteous -mil of <'<ili. and bo he 
mounted an old horse, took the sack of wheat in fronl of him, tied a handken 
ever the horse's ears to keep the wheat out, and went on his way rejoicing in 
that better way which he inaugurated. When the wheat was ready for thrash- 
ing, he sent to M. \. Bruce, living in Scott County, to bring hi< thresher and 
separator into Mason County, which was bo far ahead of anything before seen 
that it brought joy into the heart- of the admiring grangers. 

In the year of L868, Mr. Connell contracted with Gen. Walker to do a job 
of prairie-breaking with a -team plow, made in England. The season was wet, 
the machine was too heavj — like all English machinery — but it demonstrated 
the fad that plowing can he well done and rapidly, tun. by steam. Now there 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 443 

are machines for doing all kinds of work, so that, with a little help, large crops 
can be raised and marketed. In Dakota, there is a wheat-grower who now bafi 
twenty steam threshing machines in his wheat-field, threshing wheat and deliver- 
ing it in wagons to be taken to the cars as fast as it is cut. In Havana. Mason 
City and other town- in the county there are houses doing a large and exclusive 
business in agricultural machinery of all kinds required by the most advanced 
agriculturist. There is a manufactory on Field.- Prairie where the besl wheat 
drill now in use is made to a limited extent by John L. Ashurst. 

There are two wagon and carriage factories in Havana, carried on by Mr. 
Warren and the Messrs. fates, where considerable work is being done; but the 
lack of more manufacturing establishments in the county is deplorable and a 
reproach to the enterprise of its people. 

MASON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The first movement for the organization of an agricultural society was made 
in the year 1854, as will be seen from the following, which we find in the local 
laws of 1855: " A meeting of the citizens of Mason County was held at the 
Court House in Havana, on Saturday, the 14th day of January, 1854, for the 
purpose of organizing an agricultural society. President. J. I). \V. Bowman; 
Secretary. J. M. Fisk. A constitution wassubmitted by S. C. Conwell, which, 
on motion of EL C. Mclntire, was read and adopted. On motion of II. C. 
Mclntire, J. M. Fisk was elected President; and. on motion of S. C. Conwell, 
.1. I>. W. Bowman, Julius Jones and H. C. Mclntire were elected Vice Presi- 
dents. On motion. John Covington was elected Recording Secretary, and Fran- 
cis Low. Corresponding Secretary, (hi motion. Alexander Gray was elected 
Treasurer." 

Under this organization, annual fairs were held at Havana, in which the 
people manifested considerable interest up to the year 1858, when the Society 
wae re-organized, as will he seen by the following record, taken from the County 
Court proceedings : 

'• WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Illinois did. on the 8th day of 
February, 1857, enact a general law for the incorporation of agricultural socie- 
ties within the State for the better government of tin' same, therefore, according 
to notice, the undersigned, legal voters of Mason County, met at the Court 
House in the town of Havana on Tuesday, the 8th day of dune. 1858, for the 
purpose of organizing under the act of the Legislature and adopting a constitu- 
tion and by-laws for the Agricultural Society of Mason County. The meeting 
being called to order, A. D. Hopping was elected President, and John II. Hav- 
ighorst was nominated Secretary. On motion, it was 

"Resolved, That this Society he styled the ' Mason County Agricultural 
Society. 

" Resolved, further. That the Constitution and By-Laws heretofore adopted 

by this Society be accepted and adopted without amendment. 



444 BISTORT OP MASON « OUW v. 

■ /.'- tohh ■/. farther, That the persons elected as officers of the Mason < Jounty 
cultural Society, ;it their general meeting for tin- election of officers, t<> wit : 

A. I>. Bopping, President; A. Biggs, Samuel Rule and William Atwater, Vies* 
Presidents; John II. Havighoret, Recording Secretary; Selah Wheaden, Cor- 
responding Secretary, and William Higbee, Treasurer, be and remain the officers 
of this Society t'<>r the ensuing year and until their successors are elected. 

•• ( >n motion of J. D. W. Bowman, il was resolved thai the above proceedings 
lopted. Carried. 

"John Co\ ington, J. P. West, J. D. I [ays, Judson R. Poster, II. I'.. Md rehe, 
Gr. Walk. or, .1. D. W. Bowman, J. II. West, S. C. Conwell, Reuben Heniger, 
W. Higbee, J. S. Wilbourn, .1. II. Havighoret, C. -I. Dilworth, C. W . Pierce, 
A. II. Bower, Joshua Thomas, John B. Seat, A. Nash, R. McReynolds, A. D. 

Hopping. 

■ < >n motion, the meeting adjourned. A. I>. Hopping, President. 
"J. 11.11 ivighore i. S try." 

Under this mw organization, the Society continued to the year l s 7_'. when 
it was re-organized as a joint-stock company, with a capital of $10,000, under 
the uame of the "Mason Count) Agricultural and Mechanical Association." 

The officers for the year \^~~. the firal under the uew organization, were: 
President, James F. Kelsey, of Havana; Vice President, R. IJ. Simmons, 
Havana: Secretary, John W.Jones, Havana; Treasurer, Thomas Covington, 

I la\ ana. 

The officers for 1878—79 are: President, Samuel Bivens; Vice President, 
W. >. Dray; Secretary, Samuel V. Kyle; Treasurer, Thomas Covington; 
Superintendent, W. 1 1. Webb. 

The Society bas bad annual fairs from the beginning until l s, >". when they 
were discontinued until L866, since which time they have nol failed. The most 
of these fairs have been eery creditable to the people of the county, and the 
premiums liave run as high as $2,000, or uear thai amount ; and there bas uot 
been an instance where they have nol been paid in full, ;i- we are informed \>y 
the officers, showing thai the affairs of the Society have been conducted in an 
honorable way. The grounds are situated aboul :i mil<- aorth <>f the city of 
Havana, with one of the besl tracks for trotting in thi> pari of the State. About 
$5,000 have been expended on the grounds. 

r MIMING in M wn i mi \ii . 

Whole numbei M County 800,000 

Number - l'Il.'." i 

Nun Hand iu the oountj I 

Number < corn in 1 v 7'' 

Nun winter wheat in l s 7'.' 

Nun; pring wheal in 1ST'.' 

Number 8,711 

Numl i 979 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



44 5 



Number of acres of meadows in 1879 2,876 

Number of acres of pasture in 1879 7,295 

Number of acres of orchards in 1879 1,699 

Number of cattle in 1879 6,55 I 

Number of hogs in 1879 17,267 

Number of sheep in 1879 533 

Number of horses in 1879 12.039 

Number of mules in 1879 2,156 

CORE CROP 01 1ST" AM) 1878 IN MASON COUNTY. 

Acres in cultivation in 1877, 81, 939; yield 16 bush, per acre; total crop. ..1,311, 024 

Value of crop at 31 cents per bushel $406,417 

Acreage in 1878, 61,454; yield per acre, 20 bushels; total 1,229,080 

Value of crop at 25 cents per bushel $307,270 

CROPS IN THE STATE. 

Acreage of the following crops for four pasl years in the State. 



Corn 

Wheat 

Oats 

Meadows 

Pastures 

Orchards 

Other field products 



1875. 



8,189,914 
2.004,275 

758,694 
2,293,333 
4,219.347 

311,555 
1,471.418 



8,8i5,791 
1,938,527 

1.660,778 
2,475,782 
4,289,918 

342,682 

788,207 



1877. 



7,627,735 

2,069,563 
1,456,644 

2,302,888 

3 760.071 

394,684 

711,228 



3,672 088 
2,324,755 

1,568,120 

3,864 

3,983,459 

412,140 
711,228 



PRINCIPAL CROPS IN THE STATE. 



The following table shows the yield of the crops named and also the market 
value of the same for the years 1877 and 1878: 



Corn, bushels 269,889,742 260,560,810 

Winter Wheat, bushels 29,510,032 30,018,147 

Spring When, l.ushels 2,980,524 3,870,251 

Oats, bushels 67,1 t5,983 62,096,388 

Hay, tons 4,044,969 1,256,471 



Value— 1877. 



Corn 

Winter Wheat . 
Spring Wheat... 

<»ats 

Hay 

Pasture 

Orchard Fruits. 
Bog Products... 



$77,552,879 

34,960,824 

3,041.258 

16,269,647 

21,971,368 

14,764,112 

8,58 

18,881 



^56,03 
23,870,257 
3,189,203 
12,451 
19,994,341 
12,324,647 
1,181,662 
16,724 



Total. 



$204,898,641 -1 18,77 



446 



IRY OF M \>"N CO! MY 



RES, III SHELS \M> V.M.l I. "1 CORN CROP FOB EIGHT] I 






1861. 
1864. 
1867. 

1871. 

1874. 

]^::.. 

1-77. 



N 




Bu-I 


HiicIj.1. 


Tot.il \ 


V.ihir 


8,889,169 




115,174.770 




I4/J77 


|12 74 






11.'. 17I.77H 


24 


11. '.Ml 


7 IMI 




In 






l.'.'ll 












•". i . i ; 


; 


1,192,610 




56,135 






24 75 






177.1' 




51,81 


10 ::i 












- 


l - 




109,091 '"Hi 




7 1 281,880 


16 •-•<! 


28,742 








•'.7,7 7 


11 7c 






i ir l 


•".7 


: :,.i m in 


- 


5,72 




•j, , i 




7m. i- 












95,120 


\^ "J.". 


- 040 




217,628,000 


24 


52,2 




'.714 


21 


1 13,1 








7,421,065 


18 






7 1 B04.2 K) 


Ill (IS 


8,16 










11 •■■••. 


. M.I Mill 


•_'•". 




:;i 




7 76 


•..111 






28 


77,61 








250..' 


22 


56,0 





STATE CROPS FOB L879. 

Whole number of acres land within the State 36,200,000 

Number of acres of improved land in the State 

Numbe t woodland in the Stan- 5,607,990 

Number of acres of con) in the State for the year l s 7'.' 

Number of acres of winter wheal in the State in 1879 '_'.' 

Number of acres of spring wheal in the State in 1879 290,213 

Number of s - in the State in 1 v 7'.' l.i 

Nn mi. it <if acres of other hinds of crops in the State in 1879 71 1,228 

Numbei f rye in the State in \^~i'.> 246,120 

Number of acres of meadon in tin- State in 1879 2,179,122 

Numbe : pasture in the State in 1879 4.1 

Number of seres of orchards in the State in 1879 112,1 1" 

Number of cattle in the State in 1*7'.' 1,72 

Number of hogS in the State in I sT'.i 

Numb in the State in 1879 

Number of li..rse- in the State in 1*7'.' B81 951 

Number of mules in the State in 1 v *7'.' 



LIVE STOCK \M' DAIRY. 

Tin- following are the statistics for tin' year 1 V T7 : 

Number of fat .-nil.' sold in tin. Btate 

\\. it, per head of cattle sold 1,067 

tnber of fat hogs sold - • 

i. per head 

Number ol h 1.44 

\v. il ofswine died of cholera 

Number I •_'41.r_"_ l 

\ \ ■ • 

Number lledbydo| 

per head of same 

Number of pounds of wool shorn 



HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 447 

DAIRY. 

Number of cows kept in t lie State 556, 166 

Pounds of butter sold 18,970,227 

Ton mis of cheese sold 4,502,671 

Gallons of cream sold 2,744,259 

Gallons of milk sold 17,124,506 

• MM I.TOLOG1 . 

The seasons, like many other things, run in cycles — not always of the same 
duration — bul observation, extending over the last forty years, has satisfied the 
observer thai dry, or moderately dry, periods, continue nol longer than seven 
years. The earth, that is called inanimate, has many of the characteristics of 

tlic animated being. It cannot run more than seven years and maintain its 
reputation for cleanliness and healthfulness, without having a hath : and, the 
hath being ordered, the fains descend, until the big, founded form of old 
Mother Earth has had a good washing and cleansing from the impurities that 
accumulate. 

The year of 1844 was a 11 1 year. In the month of dune, there was more 

water upon the fare of the earth, in the Western country, than ever known 
since the days of Noah- flood. The seasons then ran along in their usual 
course until the year 1851, when much water fell. The next wet spell Was in 
aboul seven, or possibly eight, years. The years 1867 and 1808; ending in 
the spring of 1869, were \ery wet years in this region of country, piling up the 
Maters on the lowlands so that the muskrats had to l.iiild high houses to keep 
above water, ddie last wet spell began in duly. 1876. Being the centennial 
vear. there was a high old time, drowning out all the corn on the lowlands, and 
keeping up the spree for two long years ! The valleys and sand hills were all 
filled with water, and the seepage from the higher to the lower lands caused 
hikes of water to be formed, and whole neighborhoods to lie inundated in some 
parts of the county where water was never seen before. The sand hills take in 
tile water — unlike clay hills, that run it off — and when the water gets down to 
hard pan. or clay strata, it flows out to the lowest -round it can find. 

Having said something in favor of the periodic theory, it has "been further 
observed that when the dry periods occur in the Eastern Continent, we have our 
wet seasons in the Western Continent, and vice versa. During the pasl two 
years, when we were so Hooded with water that we would have been glad to 
have given it away, there have been some fearful famines in Asia ami other parts, 
produced by the want of rain, that fell where it was not wanted. The change 
has already set in that will probably reverse this order. England ami the East- 
ern Continent have this year been deluged with water falling from the clouds. 
Thus it may he observed that Mother Earth, in taking her hath, washes hut one 
side at a time, and it may he further observed that the law of compensation is 
ever asserting itself in the adjustment of Nature- divine order, by action and 
re-action, which i> the safety-valve of the univers 



44^ HISTORY OF MASOli COUNTY. 

Planets move in cycles, also, making revolutions in regular periods of tim<\ 
as 'I- the seasons, too. The tides are periodic, and many of the malarial dis- 
eases are periodic, as the doctors will tell you. There are numerous and a 
ir< ■< >ii-1 \ grand geysers in the Territorj of Wyoming, Bpouting forth immense 
volumes of water — hot, cold and tepid — t" the heighl of the tallest tree-tops, 
and all of them are perfectly periodic — some 1 < » n lt and some short — but all 
prompt and regular in their own time, like the breathing of animals. 

The earth has many of the characteristics of an animal. The rise and fall 
<>t' the tide once every twelve hours is but the respiration of the huge animal 
ujm >n which we live; the great rivers of water that have their internal 
way, as well as those that How upon the surface, are only the arteries and the 
veins thai supply the life-blood to the animal: the great mountain range that 
extends the whole length of the globe from north to south is only the backbone 
of the animal: the mountains that Bwell up from the body of the earth are but 
mole- ami warts on that body ; the great fountain of oil that lies in the bowels 
of the earth is what the plain-spoken butcher would call "gut-fat :" the thunders 
that roll across the vaulted heavens are but the electric sparks that Bnap ami fly 
from the Thomas-cat's back : the shrubs ami trees that grow upon the globe are 
hut the hair and bristles that cover and clothe the bodv of the great animal: 
the mutterings ami rumblings of the earthquake are only the eructions ami dis- 
turbances in poor Earth's bowels, ami the opening of the huge crater, vomiting 
forth fire, ashes, -tone- and red-hoi lava, what is that hut the discharge of an 
overloaded ami disordered Btomacfa that may have taken in too much unwhole- 
some fo.nl. or, perhaps, too much strong drink? Now. who shall say that the 
earth is not a> mueli an animal as it is a vegetable or mineral substance ? and who 
can maintain that tde myriads of animal- that creep, crawl, leap and fly over 
the earth's surface, and the millions of men who Btand erect upon thai same 
ground, are anything more than parasites thai feed and fatten upon the body 
and blood of this same good old Mother Earth? Ami where i- the man of 

ce who will undertake to controvert the theorem that thi- living, mo 
earth i- the "connecting link " that unite- man with beast, and feed- and nour- 
ishes all from the bountiful bosom of one common motherhood? 

0«I< \l . 

The eastern portion of Mason < lounty lying easl of < Irane < 'reek and includ- 
ing the greater portions of ( Srane < Ireek, Salt < 'reek. Mason « Jity, Alien 
and Pennsylvania Townships, varies in its formation from the balano 
county. It is a high, undulating prairie, and the soil is generally a rich, brown 
mold, varying in quantity of cla\ mixed in the -oil. Inn all containing much 
more than the balance of the county. There i- a -mall body of timber on the 
of Crane Creek, and al-o on the -kirt> of the Sangamon River and Salt 
k. There are -mall bodies of timber in I ' >■■ ami al-o in Allen s 

Grove, the balance of the territory being mostly high, rolling prairie. The 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 44!) 

remainder of tin- county varies very materially in its formation and topography. 
The prairies are mostly low and flat, and in many places were originally over- 
flowed, and in places marshy during the wet season of the year. The soil 
of these prairies is a rich alluvium, generally more or less mixed with sand, 
which forms, when sufficiently elevated or drained, the best producing soil in the 
State. These prairies are interspersed with sand ridges — some of them quite 
high and some of them covered with an indifferent growth of timber. Hue of 
these timbered -and ridges extend.- from the Sangamon, north, to the Quiver — 
some fifteen miles — passing up on the cast side of Kilbourne and Havana Town- 
ships, and varying from one to three miles in width. Another -and ridge pass - 
from the Sangamon to the north line of Bath, on the easl side of Bath Town- 
ship. Another sand ridge, with timber on it. extends from the Quiver, near 
Forest City, to the north line of the county. These land- are considered of a 
poor quality by reason of the excessive quantity of sand mixed with the soil : 
but there are many things that they will produce, and in time they will be put in 
cultivation. Field's Prairie, about three miles wide and six long, lies between 
the first two ridges of timber above described, and is one of the richest and 
handsomest garden spots thai a crow ever flew over. There arc other localities 
where the land is equally -rood, hut none where the locality is so picturesque 
and inviting to the farmer. The upper end of the prairie needs drainage to 
bring it to the highest state of perfection. Much remain- to be done in the way 
of drainage in nearly all of the townships to bring the land into a high and safe 
State of cultivation, and when it is done, do other land will excel it in richness 
and productiveness. 

Owing to this peculiar formation, soil and topography of a large portion of 
the county, the crop yield is dependent very much upon the condition of the 
weather, and will continue so until a more perfect system of drainage is adopted 
and carried out. 

The richest and best lands of a portion of the county are SO level that, in 
wet seasons, the natural drainage is not sufficient to carry off the surplus water; 
consequently, in wet years these lands are more or less non-productive. In the 
dry year.-, the high, sandy lands, for want of moisture, dry out, parch up and 
destroy vegetation to a greater or less extent, so that, in the dry year-, the full 

<rops an the flat lands and in the wet years upon the high lands, where there 

much -and that a stranger to the soil would think nothing could grow. Of 
course, the best lands are those sufficiently elevated for drainage and containing 
enough and not too much sand mixed in the loam. There is more or less of 
this kind of land in all the townships of the county. Without drainage, the 
eastern portion of the county i> considered best on account of being high and 
undulating. 

It is remarkable how much life and vigor is imparted to the -oil by a plenti- 
ful supply of .-and. If " heat i- life and cold is death." we are certainly blessed 
with a lively life-giving -oil. The sun's ray.-, striking upon the particles of sand, 



150 HISTORY l>F II \Sm\ OOUNTT. 

produce a warmth thai starts vegetation ven early in the season and driv< 
on to maturity with greal rapidity. In ordinary seasons, when the frost does 

come i ;trl\. corn planted as late as July matures and produces well. 

There have been years when Mason County Bupplied the country round, in the 
State and out of it. with the seed which they < -« » i rl ■ 1 gel nowhere else, because 
our corn always ripens and is always ready to gro* in consequence of the life 
and vigor imparted to it by the fructifying influence of Bun rays and sand. 

Mason County is noted for the superior quality of it- wheat, when in a 
wheat-growing period, which runs in cycles. For a series of years, all wheat 
sow n does "'-II because the elements that it requires in it- growth are in the soil. 
\\ hen these elements become exhausted, wheat will not <1<> well until ;i new bud- 
|il. is accumulated. But in corn there is no failure or let-up ; it is always up 
and a-coming; and melons, sweet potatoes and ;ill kinds of products requiring 
much warmth in development find n<> rival in other -oil-. Watermelons are 
generally in market by the middle of July, and in virgin soil they grow to an 
enormous size. They are often seen :i- long :i- a barrel, and have somel 
kicked the beam at sixty pounds ! 

R VILROADS. 
ILLINOIS l:ivi:i< RAILROAD. 

\- arl '- the year 1850, J. M. Ruggles began the t;ilk for this road, and, 
after the removal of the county seal from Bath, he become activeh engaged in the 
enterprise, hoping thereby to make amends for what Bath had h>-t in the county 
In the year 1852, Mr. Ruggles \\n- elected to the State Senate from 
Sangamon, Menard and Mason, and ;it the first session in 1 S ~> : '>. he prepared 
and secured the enactmenl of the charter under which the road was built 
Under this charter, J. M. Ruggles was made the chief corporator, and imme«li- 
ately went to work and procured subscriptions of over $100,000, unaided by ;i 
single individual, and organized ;i company under the charter. A.lmos1 every 
man on the line of the road in Mason County made liberal subscriptions, and 
among the subscriptions was our of $50,000 by the county, as will be -•••■n in 
the county records, as follow-: " December 5, I s -"'-"'. This daj came J. M. 
and presented ;i petition for the court to order an election in the county 
for t.-ikiiiL r $50,000 stock in tin- Illinois River Railroad, bonds to run twenty 
years and draw s per cenl interest. Tin- court ordered an election to be held 
on tin- -non, I Saturday in January, 1854. \i tin- election, the vote for sub- 
scription was carried by ;i ven decided majority, and the organisation was com- 
pleted some time afterward. 

At the first election. Jmlge William Thomas, of Morgan County, l>' S. 
Thomas, of Cass County; -I. M. Ruggles and Francis Low, of Mason County, 
and Joshua Waggonseller, of Tazewell, were elected Directors, and I! 
Thomas was elected President; M. II. I.. Schooley, Secretary, and Th< 
Plasters, Treasurer. With some changes, not now remembered, tin- directory 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 451 

continued until the road changed its name and ownership. Mr. Lou was Pres- 
idenl for a shorl time, and also Treasurer, and James II. Hole was also Treasurer. 
B. S. Prettyman was a Director in the later years of the Company, and II. 

( >'Ncal for one year. 

On the 25th of December, 1856, the county of Mason took $50,000 addi- 
tional stock in the road. In July, 1857, the town of Havana took $15,000 
stock in the road and the town of Bath took $10,000 stock about the same time. 
Cass County took $100,000 stock in the road, and Morgan County took $50,000 
stock. The city of Pekin also took stock. The building of railroads in those 
days was hard work, and every body had to do their level best. 

\Y. (i. Wheaton, of Peoria, was the first engineer employed, and soon devel- 
oped a disposition to locate depots and speculate in town lots. lie contracted 
for land a mile south of Manito and a mile south of Forest City, and proceeded 
to lay out towns of large propo$ons at these places, with a view to speculation. 
This led to a fierce conflicl between him and .7. M. Ruggles, as the newspapers. 
of that time will show, and finally ended in the discharge of WTieaton and the 
employment of another engineer. 

The selection of depot grounds and stations in Mason County was afterward 
put into the hands of .1. M. Ruggles, who located the depot at Manito and gave 
the name to the town. He also located the depots at Forest City. Topeka. 
Havana and Bath, and the towns which Wheaton had laid out were obliterated 
and wiped out so effectually that their names are no more remembered. 

The contract was let in May, 1857, for grading, bridging and furnishing 
cross-ties between Pekin and Jacksonville, a distance of about seventy miles. 
Allen & McGrady, of Indiana, became the contractors, and the work began at 
Bath in September, 1857, and was pushed forward rapidly until completed from 
Pekin to Virginia, in 1859. Te section from Pekin to Peoria was completed in 
18114. and from Virginia to .Jacksonville in 1869, since which time the road ha- 
done a heavy business. 

The following extracts are taken from the Havana Herald of September 11, 
1857, edited by W. W. Stout : 

ELECTION hi' DIRECTORS. 

'tin' election of Directors of t lie Illinois River Railroad took place at Chandlerville on Sat- 
urday of last week. A large number of persons were present on the occasion, and an amount 
of <inrk was represented equal to $350,000. Considerable interest was manifested among those 
present in regard to who should tie elected to the directory, ami as to how they should be 
appointed. But after the manifestation of considerable feeling in regard thereto, matters were 
finally arranged, as we presume, to the entire satisfaction of all parties. Judge Thomae 
elected Director of Morgan County, K. S. Thomas for Cass, .1. M. Ruggles for Bath, Frank Low 
for Havana and Joshua Waggonseller for Tazewell. The selection of a more efficient Hoard of 
Directors could not have been made. They are the very best men to be found along the line of 
the road, and their selection «ill meet the approbation of a large majority of the citizens of the 
different counties through which the road will pass, and give renewed confidence to the friends 
of this great improvement. After the election, the new Board held a Bhorl Bession and chose 
James II. Hole, of Havana, to he the Treasurer of the Company, and M. II. L. Scl ley. 



452 HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 

trv. The Hoard ihf-n adjourned I" meet again in Havana on the third Saturday of the 

,i month. 

I 1 1 I- RAILROAD. 

Ii i- pith no small degree of satisfaction that we inform our readers that active operations 
have commenced on the 11! Railroad at tlii- place. At the present time, between 

and fifty men and some dosen U oaily at work in dt spoiling the enormous sand hill, 

which has so long been an eyesore to the citizens' of this place, of its huge dimensions, and they 
m hauling sway the din and making fills therewith on other portions "f the mad. The 
citizens of our town seem to manifest an extraordinary interest in the work, judging from the 
(net that all the shady Bpots in Dear proximity to n here the work is going on are constantly occu- 
pied all day long by persona who Beem t" contemplate, with in 

The enormous sand-hill is rapidly giving way before the ''Mickeys," and it is a great pity i>ut 
the road had been located through the center of it. for the Railroad Company, in making • 

rations for tin- road, would have done more for the benefit of the town, re toward improving 

the appearance thereof, in three months' time than the town Council would be aide to do in the 
next three 

During the war, the road changed hands bp reason of a foreclosure of first 
mortgage, and the name was changed to thai <>t' the •• Peoria, Pekin & Jackson- 
ville Railroad," and has for years been operated for that Company by John 
Allen and J. F. Kelsy, Vice Presidenl of the road, who have given general sat- 
isfaction in their management. 

Something like a year ago, the road wenl into the hands "t" a receiver — Mr. 
John Allen — who continues to operate ili<' road t<> this time. The controlling 
interest of the road has recently passed into the hands <>!' the Toledo, 1V<" 
Warsaw Company. WTial thai control may develop, when in possession, depends 
upon the hereafter. 

The entire length «>!' the road is eighty-three miles, mostly steel rails. The 
station- thai have been located and buill np on the line of the road are : Manito, 

1" si City, Bishop's, Topeka, Havana, Bath and Saidora, Length of road in 

Mason County, thirty-si* miles; length of side-track, three miles; standard 

_'e. 

. UK IOC I ALTON i: Ml i:n \ tNCH. 

This road was first projected as the Tonics & Petersburg Railroad, incorpo- 
rated in ls.'i". <d' which Richard fates was Presidenl up t" thi date of his elec- 
tion as Governor, in I860. In 1862, it was consolidated with the Jacksonville, 
Alton & St. Louis Railroad Company, and W. <i. Green, of Menard, was the 
firsl Presidenl of the consolidated company. II'' was succeeded 1>\ G< 
it. of Peoria. The road was leased t<> the C. & A. road, April 30, 1 
by whom it has been operated since that date. For several years, the line «»f 
road was operated from Jacksonville to Petersburg. In 1867, ii was extended 
•<• Bloomington, reaching Mason City in June and Bloomington <>n the 23d or 
September, l s ''>7. The length of road through Mason County is twelve 
indard gauge, and, in all respects, first-class. 

SPRING] IKI.D * NORTI 

The charter for thi- road 1 March 2 \. 1869. The route is from 

ugfield, via Petersburg, to Havana — forty-eight miles. The original 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4-V! 

Directors were: John Williams and John T. Stuart, of Springfield; William <i. 
Green and William Estel, of Menard, and Hugh Fullerton and 1!. S. Mo.. re. of 
Havana. Mason County subscribed $50,000 to the capital stock, and the town- 
ship of Havana took $25,000, and the individuals along the line of the road 
subscribed liberally. The work on the road began in 1871 and the road was 

completed in 1873. Kilhourne, Bowers & Co., of Iowa, were the contractors. 
Col. .John Williams, of Springfield, made heavy advances to the contractors, and, 
in the end. finished up the road, became the largesl owner ot'stoek. and has opera- 
ted the road since its completion. The road finally went — where most of the 
roads have gone in the past ten years — into the hand- of a receive]- — George N. 
Black, of Springfield — and in the spring of l s ~!» it was sold to a new company. 
by whom it is now operated and of whom Col. William- is Presidenl and largest 
owner. It is a well-managed road and is kept in good condition, doing a fair 
business for a short road. The length of road in Mason County, from the San- 
gamon River to Havana, is about thirteen miles: standard gauge. W. M. Bacon 
and Mike Myers are the present popular conductors of the two trains that make 
daily trips over the road. The stations on the line of the road are : Sedan, 
Lone.- Branch. Conover and Kilhourne. 

INDIANAPOLIS, BL00MIN6T0N S WESTERN BXTEN810N. 

This road was chartered in 1867, and extends from the city of I rhana to 
the city of Havana — 1<H miles — and is designed to extend wesl to the Missis- 
sippi River. The original Directors for Mason County were: Judge Lyman 
Lacy and dames H. Hole, of Havana. The county of Mason took $100,000 
stock in the road: Havana. $40,000; Pennsylvania, $10,000, and Mason City, 
$25,000. The work of construction began in the year 1872 ami the road was 
completed, in first-class manner, tit Havana in 1873. This corporation traveled 
the usual road to bankruptcy, and. after remaining two or three years in the 
hands of a receiver, was -old in 1879 to a new company, who are. at this date, 
preparing to complete the bridge at Havana and to extend the road to the 
Mississippi. The road is an important one to Mason County, extending tie; 
entire length of the county from ea-t to west, passing through Mason City, 
Teheran. Easton, Biggs, Poplar City, to Havana — twenty-six miles — crossing 
the <\ X A. at Mason City and the S. & X.-W. and the 1\. P. & J. at Havana. 
Jack Caldwell is a well-known and popular conductor on the road, and it has 
generally been well managed. 

HAVANA, RAKTOUL a EASTERN NARROW-GAUGE RAILROAD. 

This line of narrow gauge road Was projected in the year 1873. L lias been 
built and is now in successful operation from tin- ea-t line of the State to Leroy, 
in McLean County, a distance of sixty miles. A company has recently been 
organized in Mason County to build the road from Havana to San Jose, on 
the east line of the county, and the greater part of the stock ha- been taken 
in order to secure this section of the road. Francis Low i- Presidenl ol 



154 HI8T0RI OF M LSOH I OUNTT. 

Company; W. II. Campbell, Vice President; ES. A. Wallace, Secretary, ami 
Bentley Buxton, Treasurer. 

This road is .1 pari of a narrow-gauge line designed to extend easl to Toledo, 
Ohio, and wesl through Iowa. So far as built, it has proved very popular and 
has made money for the stockholders. It is three-feel gauge. 

Fl'LTOK ii.im, RABBOW-OACQI BAILBOAD. 

'I'l,i. road is designed as an extension of the Havana a: ftantoul road, 
through Fulton County. It i- already graded and ready for the ties from Lew- 
istown to Havana, and will be in operation within the year 1879. 

V'BBMONT t HAVANA HABBOW-OAUai &OAU 

This is a projected road, intended to conned with the narrow-gauge road at 
Havana, and will be built as Boon as an eastern outlet is secured. 

The number of miles of railroad already built in Mason County is eighty- 
seven, and the assessed value of the same is $317,965. The cost of buil 
these roads was something over $1,000,000. The county debt incurred in the 
building of these roads is $153,500, and the value of the property in the county 
taxed to pay interest on this debt is $5,504,263. The township railroad debts 

Havana, $50, >; Mason City, $25,000 ; Pennsylvania, $10,000, and 

Sherman, $7,000, making the total railroad debt of the county and townships, 


The total number of miles of railroad in the Suite of Dlinois buill previous 
to the present year is: Of main line, 6,594 ; ride track, , . , . s -">. making a total of 
railroad track in the State. 7,579, the assessed value of which for 1878 (includ- 
ing all railroad property) was $40,641,865. The total amount of railroad 
indebtedness of all the counties, townships, cities and towns within the State mi 
the 30th of September, L878, was $13,782,168. The total value of the tax- 
able property of the State at the Bame date was assessed al $857,235,762. 

m:\\ spapers in m ison i "i \t\ . 

The newspaper has Inc.. me one of the mosl potent institutions in modern 
civilized communities. The daily paper gives to the reader each morning all 
the important events occurring in every enlightened country on the globe, which 
are eagerly devoured and digested with the matutinal meal: and the reading 
person would about as soon dispense with the one as the other. 

The firsl newspaper printed in Mason County was in lb51 — th< '/ 
County Herald — edited and published bj McKenzie & Roberts, in the town of 
Havana In L853, O. II. Wright became the editor and proprietor of this 
paper. He was succeeded bj E. L. Grubb, who Bold out to Stout & Weeden in 
\\ . W. Stout afterward became the sole editor and proprietor, and, 
under his management, the Herald became a well-conducted and influential 
pap< 



BISTORT OF MASoN COUNTY. 455 

We pan only give the names of the papers and their proprietors that have 
followed each other in pretty rapid succession, without giving the dates or dura- 
tion of their several existences: The Squatter Sovereign, in Havana, by James 
M. Davidson, in 1859-61; the Havana Post, by John 15. Wright, 18G1 : the 
Battle Arc in Havana, by Robert L. Durdy, 1862; the Volunteer, in Havana, 
li\ W. W. Stout; the True Unionist, in Havana, by S. Wheaden ; the Havana 
Gazette, hy \\. L. Durdy; the Havana Ledger, by William Humphrey ville ; 
the Journal, by J. J. Knapp. This paper was removed from Havana to Mason 
City and sold to W. S. Walker, who ran it awhile and sold out to Well- Cory. 
Mr. Cory has conducted tin- Mason City Journal for nine years with marked 
ability. The True Unionist and the Havana Ledger were consolidated into the 
Democratic Clarion, and. after being conducted for a time by Wheaden & Hum- 
phreyville, passed into the hands of Mr. Wheaden, who ran it. with his son. for 
a Qumber of years, and sold out to J. C. Warnoek. of Mason City, on the 10th 
of September, 1N77. when the Dame was changed to the Mason County Demo- 
crat. On the 2d of Au-ust. 1878, Mr. Warnoek sold out to Messrs. Mounts 
& Murdock, who continue the paper in a way that indicates enterprise and ability. 

The Havana Gazette, by D. Gr. Swan, is one of the defunct papers. 

The Bath Journal was started into existence in the town of Bath by W . W. 
Stout in 1860, and was afterward sold out to Stafford & Servos. It ended its 
career during the war of the rebellion. 

The Mason City Times, by Haughey & Co., was the first paper started in 
that place. The first issue was dated December 2">. 1866. 

The Mason City News, by Haughey & Walker had a short career. 

The Democratic Bugle, a campaign paper, by R. L. Durdy. gave a few 
blasts in the campaign of 1876, and then blowed out. 

The Independent, hy Haughey & -J. C. Warnoek. is a well conducted paper 
in Mason City at this time. 

The Mason County Republican, published in Havana by C. B. Ketchum 
and edited by F. & C. B. Ketchum. lias been in operation for seven years — a 
long life for a Havana newspaper — and. therefore, there has been merit in it. 




mason COUNTY 

War History and Record. 



A BBB K \' I A T I ( i \ - 



Adjt Adjutant. 

Art Aitill.ry. 

Colonel. 

< i] 

< torpors!. 

Oouiml— ij 

commiai 

Cavalry. 

captd 

Ill 1 1 inn. 



din) 





• xohangad. 

inf Infantry 

kid killed- 

niu.»! 

prmtd promot**. 

I 



„ r.- .iili-t. I 

I 



S'-r>;t - 

tr.iri-f.-rr- I 

»d wounded 



UAi; RECORD. 

The w i" be proud 

Mars. In I 8 '■- -88, when 

men were ool very plenty in Illinois, I 

idda oalled for volunteers t" march against 

Indian warrior, Black Hawk, and 

■■Mm Forward, conquered and vanquished 

ind drove him beyond the Mis- 

ppi. In 1846, when the war with Mi 

leolared, 8 : '.7<» [llinoisans offered their 

■ ihcii untrj ''lit :'..7'J<» 

i be accepted under the call. How those 
volunteers acquitted themselves in tins war, 
tin- deathless memories "I Baker, Bissel, llar- 
■lin. Shields, and bnndreds of <»t her brave 
i men will tell. 
In the war of the rebellion, Illinois put into 
'i men. and enough 
of her son- went from other swell 

the n>ll <■ ug the to) 

all tin- soldiers who Berved in tin- Revolution- 
thai achieved our independence. 

men 

000,0 i 
• I for the able-bodied men between the 
y-five, tun tin" Illi- 
went in with their b iteen 
;,n l men "f fifty and upward. The enroll- 
ed the qu I han 

iii any other State When Mr. Lincoln's 

to iln- in - ill. 

• tin- country n< i we must 

put tlie whip "ti the free horse." But that 

^'u without tii«' use of the whip. With 
hirteentfa 



Illinois furnished one-tenth of all the soldiers 
that served in the war of the rebellion, and 
intry, above all calls, 78,000 
service. The mothers and daughters 
went into the fit i and harvested the 

crops, and the fathers and sons went into the 
batl ubdue the rebellious land and 

i|i in the harvest "t death and deatl 
fame. In Sherman's march from Allan' 
the Bea, there were forty-five Illinois regii 
nf infantry, three oompsi Herj and 

one regiment ol Knowing these men 

as he did, Mr. Lincoln replied t» the fears and 
apprehensions as to the defeat of this army hj 
saying, " It i> impossible, there is a mighty 
Bight of tipht in a 100,000 Western men 
lllinnN <nlili<T- raise*] the first Union tia>_' 
the <ity of Richmond, and brought home with 
them 800 battle-flags "all tattered and turn." 
8he had the best War Governor of all the 
■ -. in the person • 8he 

furnished the knd best of all the 

Pi esidents dm I imes, and 

she had the yet prouder distinction of furn 
in<: the greateel military hero that the world 
has yet pro I 

\| \-iiN i nl \ 

though producing no renowned warriors, ha-* 
furnished her full quota of soldiers, and is 
entitled to her full >ry of 'I" - 

State \\ [thin her boi men who 

• rank i Sopperbeads, opposed to the 
len Circle, but n< 

i heli 





a/ss/i;, 



HAVANA 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



459 



for men, and furnished more than her -hare 
Of the 290,000 soldiers belonging to the State. 
Of the Sons of Liberty — a secret organization 
having for its object the release of rebel pris- 
oners, burning Northern cities, and the defeat 
of the Union armies— Mason County had her 

share, small though it be. Their name- are 

known, but, for the good reputation of the 
county, the sooner they are forgotten the bet- 
ter, and we shall not, therefore, mar this record 
with them. 

The population of Mason County, in I860, 
1,929, and the county record of enroll- 
ment shOWS, for the years 1861, '> s l name-: 

1862, 1,869 names; L863, 1,529 name-; L864, 
names ; L865, 1,822 names. 

The quota of .Mason County was. for 1861, 
£06; 1862,210; 1863,344; L864, 265; mak- 
ing the total quotas to January 1. 1865, 1,125; 
total credits to same date, 1,514; excess of 
volunteers over all calls, 389. 

The enrollment for 1861 and L862 is taken 
from the county record. The remaining items 
are taken from the records of the Adjutant 
General of the State. 

The county record shows the number of sol- 
dier- furnished by the several townships in 
Mason Comity to he: Havana. 398; Hath. 
:'.•"'(! : Lynchburg, To: Crane Creek. 61 : Salt 
Creek, 59 : Mason City, 108 : Pennsylvania, 21 ; 
Fores) City, 16; Quiver. 75; Manito, 119; 
Allen's Grove, 60; total, 1,370. This record 
is evidently very imperfect, for the reason that 
the list of soldiers whose names are given 
show- a total of 1,-">4'.I — 293 cavalry, and 1,256 
infantry. The records in the State and in the 
county are very unsatisfactory, and the best 
evidence of the facts is to give the names of 
the officers and men. which are as correctly 
given as we have the means of making them. 



FIRST CAVALRY REGIMENT. 

Lieut, .lames M. Buggies, Bath, comd. Quartermaster of 
(he Begiment .line' 17. 1861 : trans, by prom, to Major 
of Third Cavalry Sept. 11, 18(U. 



SECOND CAVALRY REGIMENT. 

Mai. Hugh Fullerton, Havana, comd. A.ng. 30, l - 
. 1863. 

Company B. 

lUak.-ly. Win. I... Mason City, e. March 14, 1861, Saddler ; 

trans, to Co. D, as consolidated. 
Martini.-, Harvey, Salt Creek, e. March 31, 1864 

as ilidated. 
Wolf. Washington, Salt Creek, e. March 31, 1864; trans. 

to I'd. I', as oiiTisolidati-il. 

Company C. 

Company •' was organized at Havana July 
28, L861, by Capt. Hugh Fullerton, and 
ordered to Camp Butler. October l went to 

Cairo; October 1<>, to Caledonia, where the 
command remained until March 30, 1862, 
when it moved to Hickman, Ky., and there 
remained until .lune 7. when the regiment 



moved on to Union City, Tenn .Tune 10. 
went on picket duty on the obion River; July 
4, returned to Union City; August 16, went in 
pursuit of the rebel Capt. Beauford, with 200 
men. and chased him thirty miles to Merry- 
weather's Ferry, when the enemy was re-en- 
forced, and was fought for half an hour, kill- 
ing forty men. capturing prisoners 
and completely routing him. We lost Limits 
Terry and Goodheart, one man killed and ten 
wounded. August 20, left Union City, and 
joined Lieut. Col. Hogg at Dyersburg, and. 
after an eight day- -emu. went into camp at 
Jackson, Tenn. September 8, went in pursuit 
of rebel Gen. Arm- iptember 9, to 
Bolivar: September 27, to La Grange ; Ocl 
."), escorted Gen. Hurlbut to Hatchee River; 
was in the action at Matamora, and was tiigb.lv 
complimented by the General for good behavior 
in battle. October 19, OUT battalion had n 
skirmish with the Haywood Hanger-, at Wood- 
ville, and captured forty-five of them, and in 
four days, returned to camp with sixty prison- 
ers and one hundred captured horses. Nov- 
ember 4. went to La Grange, drove the enemy's 
pickets out. and occupied the place ; November 
15, with other cavalry, reconnoitered toward 
Holly Springs: met the rebel Gen Jackson at 
Lamar. Miss.: charged on his columns, killing 
18, wounding 60, and capturing 130. Novem- 
ber 30, advanced on Holly Springs, the bat- 
talion taking the advance of Gen. Grant's army 
to Oxford, from whence it returned to Holly 
Springs, and was attacked. December 2<>. by 
rebel Gen. Van Horn with 6,000 men. fighting 
him from 6 to 11 A. M.. when our ammunition 
was exhausted, and we fell back to Cold water 
Station, losing 7 killed, and 4^ wounded. 
December 23, went in pursuit of Van Horn, 
harassing his rear until the 29th, when we 
returned. December 30, went to Memphis 
and remained on duty until June 27. 1 - 
when we reported to Maj. Larrison; July 29, 
went to Fort Pillow; August 1, went on scout 
to Denmark : met rebel Col. Grier : charged on 
him and routed his command, and returned 
August 10; August 19, went BCOUting, and. on 
the 27th of September, went to Union City, 
and were continually scouting until the L 9th of 
November, when we went in pursuit of rebel 
Maj. Sol Street ; on the 20th, caught up with 
him at Merry weather's Ferry ; charged him, 
killing 11, capturing 40 prisoners, 60 horses 
and tin stand of arms. December 4, went on 
duty at Troy, Tenn.; December 9, went to No 
14 Bend. Mississippi River, and, on the 11th. 
killed '2. captured 20 men, 35 horse- and C> 
stand of arms, from Sol Steet's command ; 
December 23, went on expedition under Gen 
A. .1. Smith to Jackson, after rebel Gen. For- 
rest; gone 17 day-. January 22, 1 ^ * '• 4 . went 
on cavalry expedition with Col. Warring, and 
arrive, l ; ,t CoUierville February 9. On the 
11th, went on expedition into Mississippi with 
Gen. W. s. Smith, as far a- Aberdeen and 
Weal Point. February 20, returned to Mem- 
phis, fighting and skirmishing with Forri 



460 



MOTOR! OF MASON CO 



advance; Mid, on the 22d, a g< i ige- 

mi-iii .it Guy's Pars, Mi--., and, after -ixty 

mile* of" fighting and marching, arrived at 

Camp Grierson, the brigade losing I* - ' 1 men, 

killed and wounded February 28, 1864, bad 

brought mil of Mississippi 2,601 from 

and mule-, and 100 | 

- from ilie enemy, kpril 1. ordered t" 

join the regiment at New ( I. on the 

1 6th, reached Batos nd joined the 

• ni. which was Btationed t 

In November, 1864, tin regiment, in com* 

of O B ; Marsh, of w arsaw, 111.. 

left Baton Rouge and marched to Pascagoula, 

: emained until January, ' £ 
when it wenl to New Orleans, and, in Febru- 
ary, embarked mi I "la. 
In the march from Fort Blakely to Clai 
In. liir. i he regiment nut * rebel regiment of 
i\ and took i li tin in. which was the last 
i i in w hich tin' regiment partioipal 
Claiborne, the regiment marched in 
Mi. ni-i. ii. civ. Ala., anil from there i" Bufhula, 
when resting and disbanded :mny of 
el on their way in their In i 
Eufaula, the regiment marched viaTus- 
■ l Jackson in Vicksbui g 
From Vicksburg, the regiment marched in 
Shreveport, La., and from thei the 
in San Antonio, and from 
thei ■ I 'ass, on the Rio Grande, \\ hen 
•.lie regiment was mastered on( in December, 
bed their homes in January, 


Bush KiilUiti.n. Havana oomd. An>:. 24, 1861; 
|. until Major. 
i ..| i Semui 1 Wbitaker, Bms 

• 
kill ni Union Cit; 
First Li i i.i J died 

First i 

1-1.1 , |-r m 

I I ]• in Join I 

I 

i li. .it. Havana, a tnd. Oi I 
t ii. 

Havana, Ang. IS, I 
prom 

■ 

\ up. 
n. It 

1861 ; in a ang. 

ii, I 

:. 16, 

li-l Aug. 

II. I 

1 i \ I. . ind, MitTui.K. a 



Havana, Aug. 12, 1861 ; pnntd 

Anderson, M J., Havana, Aug. IS, 1861 ; ni o. Ang. 11, 

1861 , pnntd. First - 
• ban to I.ii-ut. and Etonian - 
Bobiler, Oaudlin, I. 12,1861; m o. Ana 11. 

i hi. It . 11 ^ug. II. '64 

Darnell, Livingston, Ha* 
Brodei li U. Dai id - 

Barker, Samnal G B., lUth. Aug. 18, It - 11, 

1864 
Borndollar, John I.. Havana, Ang ij. l-'.i , m. o Aug. 
1 1 , 1 > ■ • i 

tag. I j, 1861 
ell, John, Havana, A . tn.o. Ang. 1 

Davis, John T , Bath, A died ..i Memphis, 

,i, Aug. 12, 1861 : ni- o. Aug. 1 1 

Unit. P( i. r, Hava L861 ; pnntd 

»mi then Set ond Lieut. 
Hill, Win !>.. I ml.. Ang. 12, I*' 1. 

1...1. Im l> . Havana, Ang. 12, 1861 ; dlad. April IS, 
for disability. 
- ' 
Hunt 1 >i_ .r z . ii : . pnntd. t 

Knappel, Henry, Havana, Ang. l.'. 1861; m 0.A1 

Littell, w 1 , 11 ivana, \ .. 12, 1861 . m. o. Ai 

I ill. r.Wni.,H:n..i a rtedJnneSO 

Win., Hatnna, Ang. 12, 1861. 
r, Abner, n 
u, : 

• n .1 . Bath, a. Ang. 12, I i ret 

Maxwell, Volnej li, Havana, a, \u^ lis, 1861; m o 
Anir. 11, 1864, as Bergt 

B . Havana, .-. Ang. 12, 1861 ; ni. o. An 

19, 1861 : n. 

I'll. Ips, l'n li I II 
11. I 

Phiibrlck, .i ■ . Ang. 12, 1861; dl*d. 

Bolle w llliam, 

J l.l 12, 1861; U.I. in ' 

Com ' 
Snowden, '1 1. mas B Bat .li-l. .Inly 

St. ilt I 12, I -i.l ; ni 

l-i I 
Sharp Pi U • \.. Batb e. Ang. IS, 1861 . diad. Oi I 

91 1 

' ' g II, 

1864 

ret 

11. It 

Ely. ' 
\ 

June i 

Wall, Wll ii in. li 

II. i 

Wallace, William 

in. o. Aug. 
11. 

. rmtd 

:. \N- 

i ■ ' Hava 

w m D Havai .. Jan II A, as 

..!.it. .1 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY, 



461 



North, Samuel V., Havana, Jan. 18, L864 j trans, to Co. B, 

as consolidated. 
Reeves, Francis M., Havana, Feb. 29,1864; died at Baton 

Rouge N<.v. 27, 1864 

RBOBUITS 

Bastion. Florint, Havana, Aug. 12, 1862; died. June 28, 

1864, for disability. 
Bingiiihorxt. J. H., Havana, Aug. II. 1862; m Ma] 

29. l 
Duvier, Louis, Havana, An;,' 13, 1862; died at La Grange, 

Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863. 
Blsworth, Wm. C, Forest City, Jan. 24, 1864; trans, to 

Oo. B, as consolidated. 
Foskett, Wm. B. 
Frogs;. Joel, Havana, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. Aug., 1863, for 

disability. 
Howell, Chester, Havana, April 21, 1864; trans, to Co. 

B, as consolidated. 
Johnson, Wm., Havana, Aug. 12, 1862; m. o. June 11, 

1865. 
Martin, Samuel F., Havana. Feb. 24, 1864; trans, to Co. 

B, as consolidated. 
Selkirk, George, Havana, July 1,1861; m. o. Aug. 11, 

1864, as Sent 

Ryan, Edward, Havana, Jan. l, 1864; trans, to Co. B, as 

consoli lated. 
Shroder, John. Havana, Aug. 14, 1862; m. o. June 11, 

1865. 
Tippey, Willis a.. Havana, Aug. 12, 1862; m. o. June 

li, l 
Bappa, Frank. Havana, Jan. 22, 1862; m. o. Jan. 25, '65. 

Company H. 

VETERAN. 
Brewer, Joseph M., Havana. Feb. 2, 1864 : trans, to Co. E, 
insolidated 

Company M. 

Capt. David Solanbarger, Havana, comd. Dec. 30, 18G1; 

resd. June 2, L863 : trans, from Co. 0. 
Capt. H. P. Crawford, Havana, comd. June 2, 1863 : in. o. 

June 24, 1865. 
First Lieut. Henry P. Crawford, Havana, comd. Dec. 30, 

1861 : punt. I. ' 

First Lieut. Wm. A. Hattice, Mason Co., comd. June 2, 

1863; resd. May 27, 1864. 
Second Lieut. Wm. A Hattice, Mason Co., comd. Dec. 30, 

1861 ; print. 1. 
Second Lieut. William Webb, Havana, comd. June 2. 

1863. 
Shearer, 0. H , e. Oct 26, 1861, and served as Orderly 
for eight months, and was trans, by promotion 

to Capt Co. A, 6th I'enn. Cav. Oct 3, 1862 ; Oct 16, 
i rmtd. to Major; Feb. 24, 1865, prmtd. to Lieut. 

Col., and Julj 6, 1865, prmtd. to Col. of the regiment. 
Anglemire, Henry, Havana, e. Dec. 3, 1861; m o. Jan. 9, 

1865, as Kit si Sergt . 

Ashurst, Joshua, Havana, e. Aug. 18, 18G2 

Ashton, Albert K., Havana, e. ^ug. 14, 1862; rect 

Allium, II. P., Havana e. Aug 18,1862; rect. 

Hanks. David i:., Bath, e. Nov. 6, 1861 ; m.o Jan. 9, 1865. 

Bartholomew, W., Havana, e. Nov. 27, 1861 ; disd. May 

■J.;, 1862, disab. 
Bsarden, F. M , Bath, e. Nov. ll. 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 1865. 
Butler, Lawrence, Bath, e. Dec. 3, 1861; m.o. Jan. 9, 

1866, 
Bearden, John J., Havana, e. Aug. 7, 1862 ; rect.; trans. 

to Co. A. 
Baker, Oreenberry, Havana, e. Dec. 1, 1862 ; rect; trans 

\ 
Bremley, John, Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1862; recruit; m. o. 

June 11, i ■ 
Brown, Wm., Havana, e. Aug. 16, 181 1 : rect.; m. o. June 

11,1 
Buth-r, George, Hath. J61; m. o. Jai 

Cain, A. W.. Havana, e. Nov. 20, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 1865. 
Coachman, Wm, Havana, e Nov. 6, 1861; disd. for 

disab. 

.John, Havana, e. Dec. 10, 18G1 ; in. o. Jan. 9, 

Ooggshall, CO., Hath. e. Nov. 7, 1861 : disd. June 1. 1862, 

for disab. 
dine, Henry J., Bath, e. Dec. 7, 1861; prmtd. i 

Steward. 
Oonklio, G. W., Bath, e. Dec 3, 1861; died at Memphis 
March 4, 1864, wds. 



Curry, It. A., Hath, e. Nov. 19, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 1865. 
Barrel, J. M., Havana, e. Nov. 2, 1861 ; died at Bolivar, 

Tenn.. Dec. 3, 1862. 
Dickinson. A., Havana, e. Oct. 20, 1861. 

Davis, Wm. O., Hath,.-. Nov. 8, i861; m. o. Jan. 9,1865. 
Duffield, Geo. W., Havana, e. March 17, 1862, rect.; m. o. 
March 16, 1865. 

Doyle, Dennis, Havana, e. Sept. 6, 1862, rect.; m. o. Juno 

11, 1865. 
England, Kichard, Havana, e. Nov. 8, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 

Ellis, J. W., Mason Co., e. March 20, 1862, rect.; Sergt.; 

died at Memphis April 12, [864. 
Kan-ell, Ed., Havana, e. Dec. 13, 1861 ; deserted Feh. 13, 

1863. 
Fisher, Fred, Havana, e. Dec. 3, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 1865. 
Furrer, George, Havana, e. Dec. 2, 1861; m. o. Jan. 9, 

lhG.j. 
Flemmihg, A., Havana, e. Aug. 11, 1862, rect 
Gee, Amos C, Havana, e. Nov. 8, 1801 ; disci, .lei 

1862 for disab. 
Oliver J., Bath, e. Nov. 25, 1861 ; m.o. Jan. 9 

as Corp. 
Gibson, Elias, Bath, e. Nov. 8, 1861; m.o. Jan, 9, 1865. 
Guv. Wm. L., Havana, e. Nov. 8, 1861 ; died at Baton 

' Bouge May 'jo, 1864. 
Garret, Jacob, Havana, e. Jan. 30, 1862, rect.; disd. May 

5, 1864. 
Hadlock, Francis, Bath, e. Dec. 3, 1861 ; m. o. Jan 
Hopkins, Myron, Bath, e. Oct 25, 1861 j m.o. Jan. 

Howard, F. E., Havana, e. Dec. 2, Ism ; died April 18, 

1862. 
Ishmael, R. E , Mason Co , e. Oct. 31, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 

1865. 
Joins, Jeptha, Havana, e. Dec. 6, 1801 ; died April 8, '62, 

at Paducah, Ky. 
Jones, Franklin L., Havana, e. Nov. 11, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 

9, 1- 
Johnson, .lame s, Havana, e. Aug. IS, 18G2, rect.; m.o. 

June 11, 1865, as Sergt. 
Johns, M., Havana, e. Aug. 14, 1862; died Hullv Springs 

Dec. 18 
Johnson, C. L., Havana, e. Nov. 21, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9. 

1865, as Sergt. 
Ketcher, J., 11 
Linewiber, Martin, Havana, e. Dec. 10, 1861; m. o. Jan. 

9, 1865. 
Lispe, Fred, Havana, e. Dec. 3, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 17, 1862, 

for disability. 
Lucas, Thomas, Mason County, c. March 7, 1862, rect.; 

in. o. Feb. 28 1865, as First Sergt. 
Malone, Thos. F., Havana, e. Nov. 19, 1S61; died at Mem- 
phis Mav 31, 1864. 
Millisou, (>.'<;., Havana, e. Nov. 29, WU ; disd. Aug. 24, 

1864, for disability. 
Millison, J. S., Havana, Dec. 7, 1861 ; m. o. Jan. 9, 1865. 
McDonald. Daniel, Havana, e. Nov. 27, 1861. 
Mobley, Thomas, Havana, e. Nov. 11,1861; re-enlisted 

as veteran. 
Musselman, Joel, Havana, e. Dec. ■',, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 17, 

1862, for disability. 
Morgan, Janus II.. Havana, e. March 17, 1862, rect.; m. 

O. March. 1"'.. L865. 

Mobley, John K., Havana, e. Dec. 21, 1863, rect; trans. 

to Co. A, as consoli, lated. 
Mel toy, A.. Havana, e. Jan. 3 ', 1863, rect.; trans, tot A 
Micklam, 8 A. Bath, o. March 7, 1862; rect; in O.Feb. 

28, 1865. 
Milum, Jackson, Havana, e. Aug. 26, 1862, rect 
Neal, Joseph, Hath, e. Nov. 20, 1861; disd. Oct. 20, 1862, 

for disability. 

, S.D., Havana, e. Nov. 9, 18G1 ; disd. I) 1 17 

for disability. 

O'Neal, Joseph, Havana, e. March 24, 1863, rect.; trans, to 
Co. A. 

O'Neal. I'., Havana, e. Jan. 11, 1861, rect.; tran- I 

Owens, S. D., Havana, e. Feb. 26, trans, to 

Co. A. 

Parsley, W. B.. Havai 1861; died at Padu- 

cah S pt. .".. 1862. 

Hulling, Thomas, Havana, e. Dec. I, 1861 ; disci. Oct 17. 

.. disability. 
Pearce, Geo. T., Havana, a. Aug. 9, '■•rp.; ab- 

. k. at in. o of regt 
Ray, J.hn. Hath, e. Nov. 14. 1861 . 1862, for 

disability. 
Robinson, Geo., Havana, e. \ it. 6, 1861 ; m.o. Ja- 
Bans , J A. Bath, e. Aug. 12, 1862 ; dud at Bolivar 



MJ 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



Ray, John, Ma-.n i ..n:. trans. 

\ 
" 
Harcb 21 1805, as I 

'Y> , ••. April - April 

1. I 

> i, e. Aug. 13 

■i.ilitv. 

31, 

iiiility. 

died In v i 
■ 

•h, .-. Dec. !! 

1 1 V . 

Smith, Ainlr.-w .1 , Bath, 

Spin-. - I ill. -ah 

April 

'61. 
3 

in. o. April 

Stall, .i. w '., Havana, e. 

Tin. k 361; died. Oct IT. 

ibility. 

Jan. 

19, l 361 . 

Warner, Win. Hai 88, 1861 dii la.) Padncah 

April "•, 1862. 
w .-i. II.,:, •■ ■ . 1-. i : died 

f >r Mil 
e, John w 

M D 21,1861; tn 
Will-.'., [sham, Beth, e, I 

William-., Win V., II. i\ .ii. .. Itfay 24, 1862 

Wilson, John \\ ., II 

i ■ :• ii ma, ••. Aug. - 

< raw ford, J \ . M .- mty, i Hs bli 1864; trans. 

in. ... 
.!u 

The Second Cavalry i.lme.l into 

• j 1 1 .: 1 1 1 i t- - . after having their numbers 

i by tin' vicissitudes of war. In 

ganization. Companies l'> and C were 

united in Company B, and Samnel rYhitaker, 

of Havana, was ma le Captain, and Peter Holt, 

I II ul Lieutenant. 



THIRD C \\ \u;v 

The Third Regiment of Cavalry 

il ler, Illinois by ' il. B. ».( Sarr, 
in August, 1861. The regiment moved i 
Louis, Mo., September 26. October 1. mo 
up the Missouri River to Jefferson City, and 
thence to Warsaw, arriving on the lltli of 
October. On the 28d, marched to Springfield, 
Mo., in Col. Carr's Brigade, Gen. Aaboth's 
Division. On the 2d of November, Gen Hun- 
.ok command of the an ling 

.nit, who had been in command 
hundred r 13, the First and 

I, with the army, on 
Mo. The Third Battalion, in command 
• M I: tined with Sigel's Division, 

protecting the rear of tin irmy, and 

{field Arriving at 
Kolla, November 19, the regimen) 
until the 29th 1 in 



the f Oen. Curtis' army for the 

South 
Tarrying a short time in Camp Rugg 

tent, with Carr's Division, arrived at 
M rshfield on the Llth of February, and "tithe 
13th the Third Battalion of the Third Cavalry, 

mmand of Maj. Ruggles, fought the 6rsl 
•it and won the first victory of Cur- 

unpaign, on the road four miles nort 
Springfield. « >n the 14th. the army occupied 
Springfield, Mo. On the 15th, came up with 
Pri< ■ lng army at Crane « 

captured some prisoners. <»n the 18th, at 

Creek, the Third Battalion participa 
in a cavalry charge, routing the euemy. On 
the 20th, the Second Battalion marched t.. 

• Hollows, Ark., where th«' army renin 
until the 6th "f March, when it fell back !•• 
Pea Ridge. < In the 6th, l rad Third 

dions marched from Huntsville, forty- 
eight miles, with Col. Vandevei On 
the 7th, the First and Third Battalions, in 
le, and the Second, in Yai 
-. were engaged :ill day and to tl 
the battle of Pea Rid ; 10 kille.l and 
l'i wounded. March L9, moved to K- 
where Col. Mot Dined the regiment. 
and went .hi du«y «itli Maj. Hubbard. April 
lit. the regiment arrive. 1 al Forsyth, on the 
•_".tth. :it West Plains, Mo., and, on the 
Mh_\ Lie, Ark. ( >n the Nth. ra 
t.i Little Red River. On the 25th, in 
White River, Capt. McClellan and five 

drowned. < In t he 4th of June, the 
ment fell back t" Fairview. < >n the 7th. I 
Sparks, with 66 men was Burrounded with 

of tl nemy's ca»alry, and cut bit 

losing 4 wounded and 1 prisoners. On the 
llth, returned t id from thence 

port. <>n the 5th of .inly, tin- army 
moved for Helena, where the Third Cavalry 
arrived and went into camp on the 15th of 
July, 1832, and there remained mi duty in 
soouting expeditions, until the 28d of Do 
her, when Companies B, ( '. D, II. 1 and L, in 
command of Lieut. I - embarke 

Vickaburg, under Gen. W. T. Sherman. Com- 
paniea I". and << were on duty with Gen. Carr 
at 8t. Louis. 

The regiment did g ■•• 1 service at the hauls 
of Chick i, and from l 

barked for Ark it, in which battle it 

took an active and important part, and 
from there returned t.> Yicksburg. In the 
month of February, on account of high w 
interferiqg with cavalry operati Irani 

mpaniea of the regiment to 
return to Memphis, where they remained, 
doingduty in West Tennessee, Mississippi 

icky, until the -1st of August. 1864, when 
a large portion of the regiment eml i 
their homes in Illinois, by reason of the <■ 
rati->n of their term lin- 

ing companies participated in the battlt 
1 hampion Hills, Black B 
Bridge, and thi \ icksburg, and 

in the Bai 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



463 



The veterans remaining were consolidated into 
a battalion of six companies, under ('apt. Car- 
nahan, who was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 
on the 'J4th of August. In May, 1865, the 
battalion returned to St. Louis, and from thence 
to St. Paul, reporting to Gen. Curtis. On the 
4th of duly, went on an Indian expedition 
through Minnesota and Dakota to the British 
lines, and returned by way of Devil's Lake, 
Fort Berthold, to Port Snelling, on the 1st 
of October, from where they arrived at 
Springfield, 111., on the 13th of October, 1865, 
and were mustered out of service. 

The regiment had the misfortune of many 
other regiments, to be under the baneful influ- 
ence of an officer educated by the people at 
West Point, whose ambition over-reached and 
beclouded his patriotism and his military abil- 
ities. 

Major James HI. Buggies, comd. Sept. 11, 1801 ; prmtd to 
Lieut. Col. March 7, 1862; prmtd. to Col., and also 
to Brevet Brig. Gen. March 13, 1865, for faithful and 
meritorious services daring the war. 

Company B. 

('leghorn, Geo., San .Ins.-. e. Aim. 1:5, 1861 ; captured by 

tli.- enemy, Nov 5, 
Crites, James. San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861 : re-e a veteran. 
Graham. Samuel, San Jose, e. Aug 13, 1861 : re-e. a vet. 
Kent. Win., San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861 : in. 0. Sept ■". '64. 
Killpatrick, Joseph, San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; disd. for 

.Usability, July 2:i, 1862. 
Menkirk, Xathan. San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861; deserted 

Feb. 18, 1862. 
Perdue, Geo., San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; died at Rolla, 

Mo., Jun<- 4, 1862. 
9, Abner, San Jose, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; m. o. Sept. 5, 

1864, as Sergt. 

lames, Bath, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; re-e. a veteran. 

Company C. 

Fair. Win., Snicarfe, e. Aug. 19, 1861 ; re-e. a veteran. 

Company H. 

Gilpatrick, J., Snicarte, e. Sept. 24, '61 ; disd. for disab. 
Knight. Thos., Hath. e. Aug. 28, 1861 ; re-e. a vet 
McDerrit, Edward, Bath, e. Aug. 13. 1861 ; accidentally 

kid. June 26, 1862, at Batesville, Ark. 
Steele, Henry C, Snicarte, e. Sept 24, 1861 ; re-e a vet. 
Waddle. W. B., Snicarte .-. S< pt -4, 1861 : re-e. a vet 
Waggoner, II., Havana, e. Aug. 28, 1861 ; re-e. a vet. 
Pearson, M„ Lynchburg, e. Jan. 21, 1861 : 
Stubard, T, M.'. s.dt Creek, e. Feb. 22, 1865; rect 
Banford, II. ML, Manito, e. Feb. 27, 1865; prmtd. 
Colbert, Geo. w . Manito. «■. Feb. 27, 1865; deserted. 
Colbert, Edward, Manito, e. Feb. 27, 1865; deserted. 

FOURTH CAVALRY. 
Company E. 

Sec., ml Lieul Leoni, San Jose, e. 1 

prmtd. to ('apt. of Mississippi Rifles. 

Company H. 

M. r a m. Ed., Mason City, e. Sept ■">. 1861 ; re-e. 
Mi i. he, . m San .1 ee, e. Oct. 10, 1861 ; died in Tenn. 
Merkley, H. B., San Jose, e Oct 21, 1861. 

Miller. F. A., San Jose, e. Jan. 5, 1864. 

Omart, Christ. San Jose, . Nov. 10, 1861. 
Phinney. M. P., U ison City, e. Sept. 2". 1861 : prmtd. 
Sweeney. Henry. Mason City, e. Aug. 25, 1861; accident- 
ally shot. 

SIX I'll CAVALRY. 
Company C. 

Alhn, Hiram <\, Bath, e. March 1 181 I. 



TENTH CAVALRY. 
Company A. 

Fletcher, J. B., Mason City, e.Jan. 8, 1864. 

Company E. 

Bates, B. M., Mason County, e. Sept. 20, 1861. 
Bates, 0. !».. Mason County, e. Sept. 20, 1861. 
Tapp, Lewis G., Havana, e. Jan. 3, 1864. 

Company H. 

Beck. Thomas, Havana, e. Sept. 23, 1861 ; re-e. 

Pitman, Samuel. Mason County, c Sept. 23, '01 ; deserted. 



ELEVENTH CAVALRY. 
Company B. 

Hayner, Geo., Spring Lake, e. Oct 19, 1861 ; re-e. 

Company C. 

Second Lieut. Moses T. Lewman, San Jose, Dec. 20, 1861 ; 

prmtd. to First Lieut. Dec. 1. 1862 ; resd. July 15, '63. 
Bowman, Samuel, San Jose, e. Nov. 17, 1861; disd. for 

disability July s, 1862. 
Glead, James, San Jose, e. Nov. 14, 1861; m. o. Sept. 30, 

1865, as Sergt. 
Gregory. Benj., Spring Lake, Sept. 2S, 1804 ; m. 0. June 

9, 1865. 
Hill, Samuel. San Jose, e. Nov. 15, 1861,88 Corp. 
Hite, J. W., San Jose, e. Feb. 20. 1864; m. o. Sept. 30, '65, 

as Sergt. 
Hull. J. C, San Jose, e. Nov. 22. 1861 : disd. July 11, 1862, 

for disability. 
Littlepage. John, San Jose, e. Feb. 20, 1862; m. o. Feb. 

20, 1865. 
Neil, James, San Jose, e. Nov. 17, 1861. 

Company F. 

Clary, Dennis, Havana, e. I let. 7, 1801 ; re-e. as ret. 

Lock, Geo., Havana, e. Sept. 24, 1861 ; re-e. as ve 

Samnis, John D.. Havana, e. Dec. 20, 1863; m. o. Sept. 
30, 1865. 

Senate. Wm., Havana, e.Oct. 7, 1861, Corp.; disd. June 30, 
1862, for disability. 

Westerfield, F., Havana, e. Sept 20, 1861; disd. Aug. 3, 
1802, for disability. 

Westerfield, A., Mason Co., e. Oct. 18, 1861; died at Cor- 
inth June 30, 1862. 

Company K. 

Maxwell, A., Forest City, e. March 3,1865; m. o. June 
2, 1865. 

Company L. 

Capt. James Bote, Havana. I i.e. 20, 1861 ; died Oct. 25 

1862. 
First Lieut. J. H.Allen, Havana, Dec. 19, 1804; m. o. 

Sept 30, 1865. 
Second Lieut. S. I>. Poland. Havana, Oct 28, 1862; resd. 

Sept 28, 1864. 
Allen. John, Havana, e. Nov. 20, 1861, Corp.; re-e. as 

Vet. 

Bell, John, Havana, e. Nov. 27, 1801, Sergt.; disd. Nov. 

29, 1862, for disability. 

Bardie. John, Havana, e. Oct. 25, 1861, vet; m. o. Sept 

30, 1865, as Sergt 

D, P., Havana, B. Nov. 15, 1801 ; trans, to Co. C Jan. 

16, 1864. 
Conover, John B., Havana, B. Nov. 23, 1801; died at K. - 

kuk July IS. 1862. 
Conover, John, Havana, e. Nov. 23, 1861. 
Conoi Havana, e. Nov. 23, 1861 ; disd. Nov. 24, 

1862, for disability. 
Conover, Combe?, Havana,.'. Nov. 23, 1861; died at St 

Louis July 

Frazer, Caleb M.. Havana, e. Nov. 18, 1861; trans, to 

Co. E. 
Fisher. Wm . Havana, e. Dec. 9, 1861: drowned in Tenne- 
Biver March 9, 181 - 

Garrison, James. Havana, e. Nov. 25, 1861 ; died at Jack- 

Ibeck, Michael J.. Havana, e. Nov. 6, 1861 ; re-e. as v.-t. 



464 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



Kinor, Wm. II., Havana, . I 
l.i'.nhll in, George, Havana, .- 

Mclntjrc. W. W., Havana. .'. Nov. 20, 1861, Vet 
- .i an, II .i\ 

dlsd. for wde. July 

iviliani. Green, H.iv 
Poland, S. D., h.iv i 

Li --lit. 
•mi;.. 26, 1861; * 1 i * * 1 at Loujft- 

% ill-- Jane 9 
v\ in . Havana, e. Dec 7, 1861; died at liolivar Aug. 

f. M . II. .v ret 

-■ 1 ; disd. Si ; 
bility. 
Shindleman, A , Havana, e la vet 

Spellnian, w., . Aug. 

Br, John 0., Hav ina, e. 1 , m. o. Dec. 

19, !-• I. 
Webb, Samuel, Havana, e, Oct 26, 1861 

BI0E1 I PS 

Adkins, .lames, Havana. I May 

,; , '• 

D 25, 1861, vet. 

Bell, Tl lore, Havana..- Haj I, 1862; m. o. Sept. 30, 

i p. 
ud, John V. Havana,.-. NHv 23, 1861; deserted Hay 

Doering, ( lharlee, Havana, i . vet 

ibacher, J., Havan 1861 ; in. o 

Dimmit, John R.,Topeka,e April 19, 1864; m. ... Sept 

. William E., Havana, B. April 21, 1864 ; til. •-. 

son, W.,Hava . .li.-.l at Jackson 

Oct 24 

I 'vv.-h, Havana, .-. Doc. 25, 1861, v.-t. 

Smith, Wm,, Havai 1 862, v. t. 

Bhnndlemyer, J., Ha v 20, 1861, vet 

\ i .ti.i: \\s. 

KUlott, John, Havana. 6. 1 

i* rgt. 
it., c k 

Bhnndlt-myi r, \ . B 



FIRST A.RTILLERT? 
Battery K. 

Nntt, William T , M 1862; pnntd. 

EIGHTB INFANTRY 

Company E. 
OahUl, W. H 1864, v.-t 

- 

Collins, I' . II v.-t. 

Walk, i 



Company C . 

Hunt, V II , •; 



ELEVENTH INFANTRY 
Company C 

i ; pnntd. 

I 

mtd. 
U r, Masoi I 



FOURTE E XT II I X F A X TRY. 
Company B. 

Bingman, J., Havana, .-. Dee. I ■'., 1863. 

SEVENTEENTB INFANTRY 

The Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry was 
mustered into Bervice at Peoria, 111., on t lie 
24th of May, 1861, and Leonard F. Rose 

i The first volunteers from MaBotf 
County went into this regiment, and were 
organized into Company K. The regiment left 
camp for Alton mi the lTih of June. Late in 
July, it moved to St. Charles, Mo., and the 
next day went to Warrenton, Mo., and re- 
mained two weeks, Company A being detailed 
as body-guard to Gen, Pope, with headquaxw 
ters al 8t. Charles. The regiment went from 
Warrenton to St. Louis, and from thence to 
Bird's Point, Mo., where it remained some 
weeks on garrison duty, and proceeded tf 
Sulphur Springs Landing; from there, by waf 
of Pilot Knob and [ronton, to Frederick- 
town, Mo., in pursuit of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, 
joining Gen. Prentice's command :it J 
Mo. 

Prom Jackson, Mo., the regiment went over 
into Kentucky 10 assist in the construction of 
Fort Holt ; from there to Elliott's M 
hack to Fort Holt, and thence back to Canj 
Girardeau, Mo., in pursuit of Jefl Thompson's 
(in the 21sl of October, 1861, the reg- 
iment met Thompson's forces at Fredericktown, 
Mo., where the regiment had its first kittle 
with the enemy, and in which Lieut. J. Q. A 
fell mortally wounded; Daniel Bell was 
killeil, and Sergt. Jacob Wneeler severely 
wounded — all of Company K. Returning to 
Cape Girardeau, the regiment went on provost 
duty until February, 1862, when ihej pro* 
ceeded to Port Henry, and from there to Fort 
n, when- they participated in the Fort 
:i battle, and suffered heavj 
killed and wounded. The regiment went to 
Metal Landing, embark anah, Tenn., 

and from there to Pittsburg Landing, where 
it was assigned to the First Division Army of 
the West Tennessee, under command of Gens 
John A. McClernand. The regiment was en. 
gaged in the battle of the 6th and 7th of April, 
in whicb Company K lost T kille.l and mv 
eral wounded. The regiment was with the 
Corinth, Purdy, Bethel and Jack- 
Bon, Tenn., and, on the 17th of July, went to 
Bolivar on provost guard duty. In November, 
1862, went in the expedition to [uka, snd was 
in the battle of Hatchie ; returned to l 
and from t ■ reporting to 

Gen. Logan and -i duty. 

bed to Holly Spi in Decei 

•.heme i<, Abbeyville, and thence to Oxl 
Alter the capture of Holly Sj 

I to Sixth Division, Seventeenth Army 

- ii McPherson, and proceeded 
by wa it lollierville t.. Memphis, 

where it remained on duty at the navy-yard 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



465 



until the 16th of January, 1863, ami then em- 
barked for Vicksburg ; whence the regiment re- 
turned to Lake Providence, La., where it 
remained until the investment of Vicksburg, 
when it returned to Milliken's Bend May 1 ; 
marched to Perkin's Landing; crossed the 
Mississippi River below Grand Gulf, and ad- 
vanced, via Raymond, Champion Hills, Jack- 
Bon, l!iy; Black, to the investment of Vicksburg. 
After the surrender of the city, the regiment 
remained on duty, making incursions in Mis- 
sissipi and Louisiana, until ordered back to 
Springfield, to be mustered out and discharged 
on the 4th of Juno, 186 1 

The veterans and recruits whose term of 
service had not expired at the time of muster- 
ing out were consolidated with the Eighth Illi- 
nois Infantry, and went out of service in the 
spring of 1866 



Company C. 

Callaway, Cbancey, Bath, June 24, 1861; m. 0. 1864. 
Monroe, T., Bath, Juno 24, 1861. 

Company O. 

Brown, George, e. June 24, 1861 ; m. o. 

Company H. 

Beebe, George, Havana, e. May 25, 1861 ; died. 
Hulshizer, John, Havana, e. May 25, lsin. 
Martin, E. L, Havana, e. May 25, 1861. 
McDonald, F. J., II ivana, e. May 25, 1S61 ; disd. 
Mason, John, Havana, e. May 28, 1861 ; disd. for wds. 
Mills, R. K., Havana, c. June 25, 1861 ; in. o. 1864. 
Bwartwood, C, Havana, e. May 25, lsfil ; disd. for wds. 
Bwartwood, S., Havana, e. May 25, 1861. 
Woodruff, W. D, Havana, .-. May 25, L861; disd. for wds. 

Company K. 

6apt James 1'. Walker, Mason City, April 2:s, 1861 ; read. 

April 28, 1862. 
Capt. Jacob Wheeler, Havana, April 27, 1862. 
First Lieut. John Q. A. Jones, Havana, April 23, 1861 ; 

mortally wounded at Fredericktown, Mo., Oct 21, and 

died Oct. 24, 1861. 
First Lieut. Jacob Wheeler, Havana, Oct 26, 1861. 
First Lieut Henry F. Hole, April 27, 1861 ; resd. Oct. 22, 

L862, 
First Lieut. James H. Mitchell, Bath, Oct 22, 1862. 
Second Lieut. A. .1. Bruner, Bath, April 2:i, 1861 ; died at 

Bath, Nov. 20, 1861 . of typhoid lever. 

Second Lieut. A.T. Davis, Hath, Dec II, 1861 ; mortally 

wd. at Pittsburg Landing, April 7, 18S2, and died at 

Hath July 2, 1862. 
Second Li.iit. James II. Mitchell, Bath, July 2. 

Sec.. ml Lieut. <; ge X. Buck, Havana, Oct. 22, 1862. 

Alvoid, George, Mason City, 8. May 2".. 1861 ; disd. March 

10, 1868, of chronic sore eves. 
Bo-gB, James W.. Havana, .'•. May 25, 1861 ; in. o. 1864. 
Berry, Charles K, Bath, e. May 25, 1861; promoted t.. 

('apt. of loth La. Vol., M iv 7, I 
Darns, George, Hath. e. Ma\ 25, 1861 ; deserted .\u,'. 10, 

1862. 
Bever, Thomas A., Mason City, e. May 26, 1861; disd. 

Sept. 27. 1862, of rheumatism. 
Chatfleld. Chas. H., Bath, e. May 25, 1861; wounded at 

Fort Donelson, and disd. June 13, 1862. 
Chessher, J. K., Mason City, e. May 25, 1861 ; re-e. as vet. 

Dec. 8, L863. 
Chambers, James H., Mason City, e. May 26, 1861 ; disd. 

for disability from wds. Julj 1 i. 1862 
Cumberworth, John, Mason City, •■. May 25, 1861. 
OahiU, W. II.. Mason City, e. May 25, 1861 ; re-e. as vet. 

March S, 1804. 
Collins, Patrick, Havana, e. Mav 26, 1861 : re-e. as vet. 
I Mil. 

Doty, Emerson, Mason City, e. May 25, 
Davis, J. Newton, Bath, e. Maj 25,1861 ; prmtd. to First 
SergtSept 1. L863, 



Davis, A. T., Bath, e. May 25, 1861 ; prmtd. Second Lieut. 

and mortally wd. at Pittsburg Landing. 
Diamond, James M., Mason City, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. 

April 28, 1862, of disease, 

Dase, David, -Mas, ,n City, c May 26, 1861 ; dieil of wds. at 

Vicksburg, June 12, 1863. 
Eager, Boyd, Mason City, c May 26, 1861 ; wd. 
Fisher, Daniel, Mason City, e. Mav 25, 1861 ; kid. in battle 

ai Fredaricktown, Oct. 2:;, 1861. 
Griffin, David O., Mason City, e. May 25, ls.il ; disd. from 

wds at Pittsburg Landing, Nov. i, 1862. 
Qatton, Carlton II., Bath.e. May25, 1861 ; capt. 1. on duty, 

Feb. 15, 1864, 

Hiiics, John, Mason City, e. May 25, 1861; prmtd. and 

trans, to Inv. Corps, for disability. 
Henderson, Jas. M., Mason City.e. May 25, 1861; deft 

from Hospital at Quincy. 
Hart, L. If., Mason City, e. Mav 25, l*r,i , m. ... 1864 
Henry, Albert, Bath, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. for disability, 

April 10, is.;:;. 
Hamilton, James M., Mound City, >■. Mav 25, 1861 ; disd. 

May 30, 1862. 

Hammond, W. M., e. May 25, 1861; disd. for disability, 

Nov. 28, 1861. 
Herring, Henry .)., Mason City,.'. May 25, 1861 : missing 

at Pittsburg Landing ami supposed kid. in battle. 

Hole, Henry F., Havana, .-. May25,186l ; prmtd. to First 
Lieut., and res.]. Oct. 22, 1862. 

Judd, Charles, Mason City, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 4, 
1862, from disal>iiit\ c.nise.l l.y wds. 

John. H. F. M., Havana, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. for disabil- 
ity from rheumatism, Oct. 2."., 1862. 

Eirkpatrick, Richard. Hath, e. Mav 25, 1861 ; died March 
21, 1862, at Savannah, Tenn. 

Kerns. Kiel. aid, Hath. e. May 25, 1861 ; deserted April 6, 
1862, at Pittsburg Landing. 

Low, W. A.. Havana, e. .May 25, 1861 ; prmtd. and disd. 
for disability from wds. receivec at Vicksburg Dec. 
In, 1863 

Lofton, Ira, Mason City, o. May 2-".. 1861 ; m. o. 1864. 

Lybarger Sam'l, Havana, e. May 25, 1861 j disd. and re-e. 

Leavitt, H. I'., Bath, ... Mav 25,1861 ; m. .'> 1864. 

Mitchel, J. II., Hath. e. May 25, 1861 ; prmtd. 

Martin. Edward, Hath, e. May 25, 1861 ; prmtd. and re-e. 
as vet. Dec. s. 1863. 

Montgomery, R. S., Havana, e. .May 25, 1861; died of 
wds. at Pittsburg Handing April 11, 1802. 

Murdock. John S., Mason City, B. May 25, 1 siil ; disd, for 
disability April 19, 1862. 

Morris, Martin. Havana,.-. May 25, 1861; disd. for disa- 
bility Feb. Hi. 1862. 

Murphy, John, Havana, e. Mav 25, 1861: m. ... 1864. 

McKee, Oliver, Bath, e. May 5:5, 1861 ; disd. May 1, 1862, 
for disability. 

McCrealey, James, e May 25, 1861 ; trans, to gun-boat. 

Horanville, F. A.. Havana, e. May 25, 1861 ; prmtd. and 
re-e. as vet. .March 8, 1864. 

Neely, James W., Mason City, e. Mav 25, 1861; wd. and 
rt.-.l Jan. is, 1863, 

Nutt, Calvin. Havana, e. May 25,1861; lied of disease 
Aug. I, 1863. 

Pfiicher, Raymond, e. May 25, 1861 ; deserted from hos- 
pital at SI 1 

Ross, David 1>.. Mason City, e. May 25, 1861 ; m. ... 1864. 

Ross, John, Havana, e. May 25, 1861; missing in action 

at Pitteburg Handing. 
Ripp. William. Ilavana.e. May 25, 1861 : kid. in action 

at Pittsburg Landing. 
Randolph, Wellington, Hath, e. May 25, 1861 ; deserted 

Di b. ->'.. 1862. 
Roberts, Charles D., Havana, e. May serted 

Aug. 1, 1-61, at St. L..uis. 
Rupe, Mosas B., Mason City, e. Mav 25, 1861; disd. for 

disability Nov. 11, L862. 
Sullivan. W. J.. Havana, e. May 25, 1861; disd. and 

prmtd. to A.ljt. of negro regiment. 
Strives, Martin, Bath, .■ May 25, 1861 ; disd. for disability 

from wounds at Pittsburg Landing. 
S.-llick, H. P., Bath, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. July 1, 1861. 
Sonneman, Charles, Hath. ••. May 25, 1861 ; missing in 

action at Pittsburg Landing 
Scott, W. o.. Bath, .-. Mav 25, 1861 ; m. ... 1864. 
Shaw. R. J., llav.i o Vet Dec. 

8, IS 

. Jacob M . Hath. ... Mav 25, ls.'.l ; di-.l. for disa- 

l.ilitv July 26, 1862. 
Stafford, Wm., Ilavan 1, e M 11 25, 1861 : m. ... 1*61. 
Voak, Joseph 11., Havana, ■ Mav 25, I 

1862. 



466 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



Virmett, Hamilton, Bath, e. Ma] . rtedJuly 

29, ■ 
Vandoren, J m ob II ■>■ 

IS, ;- 
Walker, Jeeae, Beth, e Maj - tared, returned 

and n—- aa vet Dec. B, 1863. 
Wykoff, 8. H . Bath, • 
Warn, Aaron, Havana, • Hay _",. L861; disd 

bilitj N 
Wain. John c. Havai diad. M ircb 

disability. 
H . Batb I died Jnne 

■ i «■!-. reoelTed at ft Donelaon battle. 
Wright, Gideon, Bath, •• Ma] 25, 1861 ; di< i Ju 

Tronic ili.nrli 
Wheeler, Jacob, Havana, e. Ma] 25, 1801 

H ij 25, 1881, and pnntd. to Second ami Kir^t 
and Capt in 
Walker, w S M i* ' Ity, e. May 26, 1861 ; died, for dis- 
ability April 24, I 

BE! Bl IT-. 

, rmtd. to 
I 

v. Havana, e May 25. 1881; pnntd. to 
Oapt in 10th La. Vols. May 1 I 
Chandler, 8amti i»61 ; trans, to 

eiin-boal Jan. 1. 1 
Leonard, B V. EL, Bath, e. May 28, 1861; tram 
Jan. l. i-i;j. 
a, Silas, Bath, i U pnntd. and re-e. 

a, a. Maj i - t" pin- 

boat Jan. 1, 1862 
Hutchinson w II . i 
Hatton, Charles, Bath, e. May 25, 1861 ; disd. P>r .lisat.il- 

il\ \! 

ii ll . Bath, a. May 29, 1861 ; died of typhoid 
fever Oct. 7, 1861 
Holmes, Phlneaa, Bath Maj 29, 1861 ; disd. for disa- 
bility April J4. 1- 

I a . Bath, ; ; diad. for disability 

Nov. 11, 1862 
Brush, John It., Bat! ili-rliurged for 

llity April 24, 1862. 
Morrow, Stephen, Bath, e. May 29, 1861 ; discharged f"r 

disability April 10 
Bason, II. U . Mason City, • Maj 29, 1861 

Smith, James T . Mason City, ■ Maj 29, 1861 : .lischarged 

bilitj "in i: 
tfoeland, Jam. -. Mason ' i t \ . -. U 

July 29, 1861. 
Smith, Peter, M 29 1- 1 : transferred to 

■ 
Vananken, A ,i., "^1 ^ -. . n City,< >i . \ 29, 1861 ; Uncharged 

fordieabilltj 
Wells, hank i:.. Mason City, a. May :4. 1861; twice 

wounded In battle. 
Walsh, Mil hai 861; • aptured, 

I • i r rted. 

Ii «-r%* iji, Augustus, Mason City, e Juni 11, 

r disability Oct 2, - 
Hurt. A \ M .-i City, e. June 11. 181 1 
Martin. Thomas, Mason City, 

-. Ilavaua, e. June 13, 1861; 'liseharged 

B ith, e. July 5, 1861 ; captd. and returned. 
1861 : in. o 

ted July 

I 1864. 

-lull!/.. A l> . M 
I -i, -. R 

till, Ml 

Smith, f. ' . liMth, . i 
Brickej 

i bailie, G 

Usability. 

Hawkins, Levi, M i". I 

Ms 

(mwabl. John \* Mason City, < I 

t... 1 



r, James II. Maaon City, e. Feb. U, 1! 

vet March - 
Daft. Thomas, Bath, e. Feb. 11, 1862; mortally wounded 

;it Pittsburg Landing ami died April 11, 1861 
Lybargi r, Bamnel, I 
Welb, Si th J., M .- n I Ity, e. lug. 17, 1862. 



NINETEENTB INFANTRY. 

Company F. 

Arum. Nelson, Manito, e. Jnne 17, 1861; diad. for diia- 

l.ility. 

Ashton, EL, Manito, e. Jam 

Bloom, Henry, Manito, e. June 17,1861; trans to Four- 
teenth Infantry. 

Babbitt, J. W.. Manito, B. June 17, 1861; disd. for disa- 
bility. 

Babbitt, .1 W . .-r .. Manito, B. June IT, 18C1 ; kid. on 0. 
a m i; i;. 

Babbitt, K. I) . Manito, e. Jnne 17. 1861 ; m. o. Ii 

Boyer, .'. A., Havana, e. Jnne 17. 1861 ; kid. at Cnieko 

maUga. 

I. \\ '., Manito, e. Dec 21, 18 

Eddy, E. A., Manito, e. Jnne 17, 1861 ; m. o. In 1" i 
Hill, Km. cli. Manito, e. June 17. 1861 ; m.o. for disability, 
J l. Manito, e. Jnne 17, 1861 ; m. o. in 1864. 



TW ENT V-S E V EXT 1 1 11 Ei i I M EXT. 

The Twenty-seventh Regiment of Infantry 
ganized, with only seven oompai 
Camp Butler, August 10, 1861, and ordered to 
Jacksonville as a part of Gen. John A. Mci ler> 
oand'e Brigade. September 1. 1861, the resi- 
iint'iit was ordered to Cairo, where it was 

joined by t lie other three companies. I n.ler 

command of Gen. McClernand, it was engaged 
in the battle of Belmonl November 7 
and bore a prominent part in the engagement, 
losing heavily. After the evacuation of Colum- 
bus, Ky.. the regiment went to thai point. 

On the 1 1 1 li of March, l v, ''i', in c< 
with the Forty second Illinois, Ki^hteenth 
Wisconsin and part of the Second Illinois 
Light Artillery and Second Illinois Cavalry, it 
formed the "Mississippi Flotilla," and went 
down the river, where it remained daring the 
[sland No 10. The Twenty-seventfc 
was the Brsl t" make a landing "ii the [sland. 
Crossing the river, the regiment move.) to 
Fort Pillow, but was recalled anil sent to 
Pittsburg Landing. Ii wai I in t lie 

■ Corinth and of Farmington, Maj '. 

1 >'>"_' : went in pursuit of the enemy to Boon©" 

ville ; returned to Corinth and remain* 

time. 

In July, 1862, the regiment was ord< 
lukii. and -".in after was posted along the line 
of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, where 
it remained until early in September, when it 
i the Tennessee River at Decatur, Ala., 
under command of Maj. Gen. Palmer, making 
a rapi i march for Nashville, which \ 
reached on the 12th of September, and there 
remained during the time the city was out off 
from its northern communication. Tb< 
nient was with the advance from Nashville, 
aii.l took ■ part in the battle of Stone River, 
where u especially distinguished itself. <>n 
the 24th of June, 1868, it moved with the 
army against Shelbyville and Tullshoma, and 






HISTORY OF MASON COUXTV. 



467 



from there to Bridgeport, Ala. On the 2d of 
September, the corps crossed the Tennessee 
ami moved toward Rome, Ga., and returned 
in time to take part in the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, where the regiment suffered severely. 
The regiment was at Chattanooga during the 
investment of that place, and was in the 
storming of Mission Ridge, where it was noted 
for its good behavior. From Mission Ridge, it 
went on a forced march to the relief of Knox- 
ville, then besieged by Longstreet's Corps. 
When it reached there, the enemy had been 
repulsed, and the regiment returned to Lou- 
don, Tenn., January 25, 1864, where it 
remained until April 18, when it moved to 
Cleveland, Tenn., from which place it moved 
with the Army of the Cumberland on the 
Atlanta campaign. 

The regiment was engaged with the enemy 
at Rocky Face Ridge May '.t ; at Resaca May 
14; near Calhoun May 16; Adairsville May 
17 ; near Dallas from May 2tj to June 4 : near 
Pine Top Mountain June 10 to 14; battle of 
Mud Creek June 18; assault on Kenesaw 
Mountain June 27 ; skirmish on the Chatta- 
hoochie River ; was in the battle of Peach Tree 
Creek July 20, and in the skirmishing around 
Atlanta. 

The regiment was relieved from duty at the 
front August 2"). 18»>4, and ordered to Spring- 
field, 111., for muster-out. During the term of 
service of the regiment, the casualties have 
been : Killed and died of wounds, 102 ; died 
of disease, 80 ; number of wounded, 328 ; dis- 
charged and resigned. 209 ; transferred, 39. 
The veterans and recruits were consolidated 
with the Ninth Illinois Infantry. 



Company E. 

Capt. K. S. Moore, Havana, Aug. 13, 1861 ; prmtd. to 

Col. of the KMh Inf. 
Capt W. W. stout, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; wd. and disd. 

June 21, 1864. 
Capt. A. M. Boggs, Havana, June 21, 1864; kid. July 

23, 1864 
First Lieut. \V. \V. Stout, Havana, Aug. 13, 1861 ; prmtd. 
First Lieut. B. W. Porter, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; dis- 
missed in March, 1864. 
First Lieut A. M. Boggs, Havana, March 1. 1864 ; prmtd. 
Second Lieut. B. W. Porter, Mason City, Aug. 13, 1861 ; 

prmtd. 
Second Lieut. J. W. Chatfield, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862 ; read. 

in February, 
Second Lieut. A. M. Boggs, Havana. Feb. 9,1863; prmtd. 
Andrews, ti. EL, Havana, Aug. 12, 1861 ; died at Cairo 

Feb. 2, 1862. 
Anderson, A., Mason City, Aug. 12, 1801 ; disd. March 

3, 1863. 
Anno, Joseph, Manlto, Aug. 12, 1861 ; re-e. Jan. 1, 1864. 
Armstrong, James, Walker's Grove, Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. 

Feb. in, 1863. 
Ashurst, L. is.. Bath, Aug. 12. 1861 ; disd. in March, 1862. 
Barker, S. I.. Havana. Aug 12, 1861 ; re-e. .Ian. 1. 1864. 
Blakelv, .1. W., Havana, Aug. 12, 1861 ; died at Keokuk 

Ang. 19, 1> 
Boggs, J. A., Havana. Aug. 12, 1861 ; re-e. Jan. 1, 1864. 
Boggs, A. M, Havana, Aug. 12, 1861; prmtd. to Second 

Lieut. 
Boarman, W. L., Bath, Aug. 12. 1861 ; disd. July 13. '62. 
Hritt, A. P., Mason city. Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. April 7, '63. 
Camp, Joseph, Havana. Ang. 12, 1861 ; prmtd. t" Etosp, 

Steward. 
(rites. W. H., Havana, Aug. 12, 1861 ; ni. o. Sept 20, '64. 
Chatfield, J. W., Bath, Aug. 12, 1861 ; prmtd. I 

Lieut. 



Curran, W., Bath, Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. for wounds Not 

26, 1801. 
Charles, Jacob, Mas m City, Aug. 12, L861 ; disd. in 1861. 
Cleveland, C. H., Mason City, Auk. 12, 1861 ; disd. in 

April, 1862. 
Conover, A., Mason City, Aug. 12, 1861 ; prmtd. to Hosp. 

Steward. 
Cowan, J. F., Spring Lake, Aug. 12. 1861 ; diedof wounds 

May 22, 1864. 
Cue. Jobn, Walker's Grove, Aug. 12, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1. 

1804. 
Davis, E. M., Manito, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd.; m. o. Sept. 

20, 1864. 
Davis, S. R., Manito, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd. at Stone 

River. 
Dixon, H. ft, Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12, 1801 ; re-e. Jan. 

1, 1864. 
Etmyer, John, Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1861; re-e. Jan. 1, 

1864, and kid. in Georgia. 
Eulass, S., Mason County, e. Aug. 12, 1861 : taken pris- 
oner. 
Furgis, J. A., Bath, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. 
Griffin, W. EL, Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1801; re-e. Jan. 1. 

1864; wd. at Kenesaw. 
Griffin, Caleb, Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; trans, to 

4th Cav. 
Hasteel, W. ft, Bath. e. Aug. 12. 1861 ; disd. 
Hibbard, I. L., Bath, e. Auk. 12, 1861 ; died at Cairo Nov., 

1862. 
Hoyt, J. M., Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12, 1801; wd. and 

captd. Sept. 20, 1804. 
Hoyt. Benjamin. Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12, 1861; disd. 

1861. 
How, E. ('..Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12. 1861 : re-e. Jan 

1, 1864. 
Hoover. John. Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; died at Keokuk. 
Jones, James ft, Bath, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; m. o. Sept., 

1864. 
Lavellan, J., Bath, e. Aug. 12, 1861; kid. at Mission 

Bidge. 
Laury, B. F . Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1861; disd. 1861. 
Mell.'E. J., Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd. at Mission 

Ridge. 
Moore, P. A., Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1861; m. o. in 

1S64. 
Moore, D. E., Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; died at Nash- 
ville Dec 28. 1862". 
McConnell, T G., Mason City, e. Aue. 12, 1861 ; a prisoner 

at Stone River; m. O. Sept. 20. 1864. 
McKillip, J. M.. Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. in 1862. 
McCarty, J. 8., Walker's Grove, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd. at 

Mission Bidge; kid. at Kenesaw. 
N'eal, John I)., Mason Citv, e. Aug. 12, 1861; prisr. at 

Belmont; m. o. Sept. 20, 1864 
Newberry, A., Mason City, >•■ Aug. 12, 1861; m. o. Sept 

20, 1864. 
Onstol, W. H., Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1801; died Nov. 8, 

1863. 
O'Beily, John, Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; trans, to Inv. 

Corps. 
Pollard, J. S, Spring Lake, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd.; m. o. 

Sept. 20, 1864. 
Pemberton, G. W., Spring Lake, e. Aug. 12, 1801 ; disd. 

Sept, 1861. 
Rankin, M., Spring Lake, e. Aug. 12, 1881; wd.; m. o. 

Sept. 20, 1>04. 

Bochester, S., Spring Lake, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; wd. at Ken- 

e.-.iw ; in. o. Sept. 20, 1864. 
Ross, W. W., Mason CAty, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; prisr.; m. o. 

Sept 20, 1864. 
Ryan, Ira, Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1801; re-e. Jan. 1, 

L864, and kid. 
O'Boake, EL, Bath, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; disd. 1863.' 
Smith. S. G., Ma^on Citv, e. Aug. 12, 1801; m. o. Sept. 

20, 1864. 
Stevens. H. F , Mason Citv, e. Aug. 12, 1801; wd. and died 

Jan. 1."., L864, of wds. 
Stevenson, J. W., Mason City, e. Aug. 12, 1861; disd. 

April, 1862. 
Smith, Jos,, Mason citv. e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; deserted April 

•jo, 1862. 
Surnani, Albert, Walker's Orove, e. Aug. 12, 1861; wd.; 

m. o. Sept. 20, 1864. 
Tempest, Robert, Havana, e. Aug. 12, 1801; re-e. Jan. 1, 

1, 1864. 
Trent, John A., Spring Lake, e. Aug. 12, 1861 ; wd.; m. 

o. Sept. 20, 1864. 
Tomlin, E. M., Mason City, e. Ang. 12, 1861 ; wd.; m. o. 

Sept. 20, 1864. 



468 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



Wallace, B P., Bath, e. Aug. 18, 1861; dtod.; e. in 4th 

Waldron, I. , Havana, ••. Ang. 1-. 1 861 ; r Jan. 1, 1864. 

"Wilson, .1. i. Log 1J. 1861 ; in. o. Bept 

W G , M.i- id Otty, •■ tag. 12,1861; m ■ 

-■ I 

. I C8. 

Barker, J., Bath, e. Sept. $ 1861; dlsd. ipril, It 

ii Inf. 
■ 1 in !, \V. 11 11, 1861 ; 

Belm 

il; wd. at U 
f wds. June 
Camp, I K., M 1- ■ i Oitj itally 

kid. M | 
Cook, ''. I... M i ii- barged. 

i in, Daniel, 11 ivai 

g 12, 1861 ; ini.-.»iiiK uiiue 
battle "i i b 
Kith, \\ H., Mason City, e; printd. to sergt. 
i, b. Nov. ... 1861 ; i 
v. 11. C, Kith. ■■ Xov.3, ; ■ 
ler, J. I.. Bath, e. Sept. 28, 1861 ; re-e. 
Rochester, W. H., Bath, i 1861; i>nntd. bo 1st 

Lieut. 
Bhnmote, Isaac, e. Aug. 28, 1861; wd, 

. 28, 1861; in. o. 8ept 20, li 
i i;., Batl 1 ; wd.; in. o. Uepl 20/64. 



TWENTY-EIGHTH [NFANTRY. 

The Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry was 
oized Ht Camp Butler, in the month of 
ut, L861, by Lieut. Col. Louis II. Waters 
and \1 ij. Charles J. Sellon. The regiment was 
ordered, Lug. 28, to Thebes, [II.; Sept. 9, to 
Bird's Point, Mo.; Oct. 2, to Fori Holt, Ky.. 
where il remained until Jan. 81, 1862, in Col. 
John i look's brigade. 

Jan. 31, l v ')'_\ moved to Paduoah, Ky , and 
eras assigned lo Col. M. L. Smith's brigade, 
Gen. Lew. Wallace - Division, Feb. •">. moved 
tip the Tenn< --> ■<■ River, and, on the * "> 1 1 * of 
February, took a part in the capture of Forts 
Henry and Helman. Feb. 13, a detachment of 
n-ii and 12 officers, under Col. Johnson, 
met the enemy (500 Btrong) at Little Bethel 
( huroh, five miles from Fori Henry, and at- 
tacked and routed them March 6, having 
been ussigned to Oen. Huribut's (Fourth 

lo Pittsburg Landing, which 
1 . 1 : i • - > bed mi t be I Till of March. < Id 

the morning of tin- 6th of April, 1862, thi 
inn-Hi was called into line and marched 1 
mile to the front, where the enemy was driving 
Gen. Prentiss. It was placed in position on 
the left of the line, in the peach orchard. The 
enemy at icked, i>ut were repulsed, 

and the position was held from 8 to 8 o'clock, 
retiring under orders from Gen. Hurlbut, <>n 
the morning of the 7th. it held a position on 
the ri^lii >>f the line, and was hoi 
until the battle closed During the two bloody 
days of the battle, the regiment was never 

lir'iki-n nr driven back, though bI he 

led. i he loss in this j, in kille<l 

and wounded, *. 

Corinth 
during the month of May, 1862. Marched t" 
Memphis, via Grand Junctiou, La Gi 

Moscow, l.i i liers- 



ville and German town, reaching Memphis July 
21, l*'i"J. Sept. 6, marched to Bolivar, arriv. 
iiiL r 'in the 14th. On the 1th of October, 
marched to Big Muddy; Oct I in 

the battle of Matamora, on Hatcbie Kiver, 
losing 97 killed, wounded and missing. He- 
turneil to Bolivar < tt-t. 7. 

Nov. 3, marched from Bolivar: 4th, camped 
at La Grange ; 29th, reached Holly Springs; 
80th, Lumpkin's Mill ; l».-,-. 1". Waterl 
Dec. 11 and 12, via Abbeville and Oxford, to 
vi Creek; Dee. 21, to Yocona Station; 
•_'4th, to Tallahatchie River; 2oth, to Water- 
to nl ; 26th, to Lumpkin' 8 Mill; Dec. 10, were 
rned t" the duty of guarding railroad from 
Holly Springs to Waterford, Mi 

.Fan. 8, 1863, marched via Holly Spi 
Moscow anil La Fayette; Mth. returned to 
CoUiersville ; 19th, assigned to guard raili 
The regiment, at this time, was in the Third 
Brigade, Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army 
Corps. 

The regiment was in the Biege of Vicksburg 
from June 11 to the surrender on the 4th of 
July, 1863, occupying a position on the lefi of 
the center, on the Hall's Kerry road. On the 
[2th of July, near Jackson, Miss., the Twenty- 
eighth, Forty-first, Fifty-third and Third [owe 
Infantry, nol exceeding 800 men. were ordered 
to charge across a level corn-field, 600 j 
ami carry a line of the enemy's works, mount- 
ing 12 guns, and manned 'J, nun strong. The 
brigade swept forward under a destructive fire 
of grape, canister and minie bullets, the 
enemy enveloping both Hanks when it reached 
the ditch. The brigade fell hack by compul- 
sion, losing more than half the rank and tile in 
killeJ and wounded! The eight companies of 
the Twenty-eighth, numbering 128 men, lost 
1'A killed and wounded, and 16 in prisoi 

imber 1. 1868, the regiments belonging 
in Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth 
Army Corps, formed a part of the expedition 
from Natchez to Harrisonburg, on the Wachita 
Kiver, compelling the enemy to evacuate Fort 
Beauregard. The regiment remained at 
Natchez on provosl guard duty in the city. 

tin the 1th of January, IH64, the regimen* 
having re-enlisted as veterans was mustered 
in tor three years more Maj I s , 

returned to Illinois on veteran furlough. May 

29, every furloUghed man reported at Cam]) 

Butler, and the regiment m »ved bai 
Natchez, reaching there on the s th of July. 

.-i l. three •! iys' .-coin to Black I 
losing two men taken prisoners. < Mi the 25th 
of September, 160 men of the Pwei ty eighth 
marched with an expedition lo Sicily Island, 
La. October I. went on aii expedition to 
Homaohita River, Miss., Col. Osborn, Si 
r. 8. Colored Cavalry, in command, returning 
on the Bth. 

Ootober LO, the regiment lolidatad 

into four companies : l'Jih embarked for Mor« 

aria, La., Gen. Lawler commanding, First 
ith Arm) Corps. N 
r mouth of White River, 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



409 



arriving on the 7th, and leaving on the 20th ; 
reached Memphis on the 22d. Here the regi- 
ment received 200 recruits, which were ■ rgan- 
ized into two companies, and the regiment 
assigned to the First Brigade, District of West 
Tennessee, Maj. Gen. ('.('. Washburne com- 
manding the District. December 21, went on 
expedition to Moscow, reaching there on t lie 
23d, and returned to Memphis on the : llst of 
December. 

January 3, 1865, embarked for Kuneville, 
La., reaching there on the Gth. February 12, 

embarked for Mobile Point. La.; cue itered 

a heavy gale on the voyage, and threw over- 
board 130 mules and horses to save the vessel. 
Arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi River 
February 14, and proceeded to New Orleans. 
February 15, moved to Lake Ponchartrain. On 
the 17th, embarked for Fort Morgan, Mobile 
Bay; camped at Navy Cove. Assigned to 
Third Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth 
Army Corps, Col. D. P. Greer, Seventeenth 
Illinois, commanding brigade ; Gen. \V. P. 
Benton, commanding division; Maj. Gen. 
Gordon Granger, commanding corps. Arrived 
at Fish River March 25, and at Spanish Fort 
on the 27th. 

In the advance upon Spanish Fort, on the 
27th. the Twenty-eighth occupied the extreme 
right of the division and corps, Col. Ritter 
commanding, and Major Rhodes in command 
of skirmish line. This position was held dur- 
ing the entire siege of fourteen days, losing 
14 killed and wounded, including 2 Captains. 

April 7, companies G and H joined the regi- 
ment from Camp Butler, Illinois. ( >n the 8th, 
Spanish Fort was evacuated by the enemy. 
On the 15th, Companies I and K joined the 
regiment from Camp Butler. 

On the 11th of May, moved to within three 
miles of Mobile, Ala. 

On the 3d of June, 1865, reviewed by chief 
Justice Chase. July 2, embarked for Brazos 
Santiago, Texas, arriving on the 6th, and on 
the 7th, marched to Clarksville. August 2, 
inarched for Brownsville, arriving on t lie 3d, 
Lieut. Col. R. G. Morrison, Thirty-fourth Indi- 
ana, commanding brigade, and Maj. Gen. F. 
Steele, commanding district. 

The number of enlisted men at original or- 
ganization. 761 : recruits, 959; making a total 
of 1,720 men. 

CAS1 M/ins. 
Commissioned officers killed, '■* ; wounded, 
19; discharged, 19; dismissed, 4; died of 
disease, 2; transferred. •".. 

F.nlisted men killed, 52; died of wounds, 
34; wounded, 265; missing in action. 17: 
killed accidentally, 5; died of disease, 139; 
discharged, J4">; transferred, 18; making a 
total of 975. Deserters are not given, as they 
were mostly recruits that never reached the 
regiments. 

Company A. 

('apt. Richard Ritter, Havana, Aug. 2. 1861; prmtd. to 

Lieut Ool. 
Capt. J R. Walker, Havana, April 81, 1862; m. o. 1864. 



First Lieut. J. It. Walker, Havana,, Aug. 2, 1861 : prmtd. 
First Lieut. W. W. Noonan, Havana, April 21, 1862; 

trans. 
Second Lieut. C. Rictaman, Bath, Aug. 2, 1861 ; resigned 

Nov. 1862. 
Second Lieut. W. II. Harris, Manito, Nov. 11. 1862; on. ■>. 

1864. 
Black, Andrew, Matanzas, e. Aug. 1, 1861; died. Dec. 

:>, 1862. 
Black, W., Manit... ,.. Aug. 1, 1861 : re-e. 
BreCOUrt, E. N., Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861. 
Britt, F. P., Mason County, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; died. 
Cayad, A., Havana, e. Aug. I, 1861 ; re-e. 
Carth, John. Havana, e. Aug. 1,1 - vot. 

Donovan. C, Havana, e. Ann. 1,1 3 vet. 

Kuke, F„ Bath, e. Aug. 1. isolf "l. "• Aug. 26, 1 - 1 
Edwards, Joseph, Si ring Lake, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; re-e. as vet 
Furrer, D., Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; r as vet. 

,, S. II., Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; wd. and In. 

Aug. 18, 1864 
Godert, M. S., Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861; re-e. at 
Harris, W. II., Manito, e. Aug. 1, 1801 ; prmtd. to Second 

Lieut. 
Heater, J. <;., Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; died of wds. in 

1862. 
Hall, W. C. Manito, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; in. o. Aug. 26, 1864. 
Keith, Harry, Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861 ; kid. in Tennessee 

Oct. 8, 1862. 
Kai. enuring, H., Havana, .'. kug. 1, 1861 ; wd. at Shiloh. 
Lullin, T. J., Havana, e. Aug. I, 1861 ; re-e. as vet. 
Lybarger, C, Havana, .-. Aug 1. 1861 : re-e. as vet. 
Lynch, R., Havana, e. Aug. 1 , 1861 ; disd. Nov. 4, 1862, for 

disability. 
Lane, I)., Batb, e. Aug. 1, '61 ; wd. and disd. Aug. 26, '64. 
Lapliam. Ceo. I).. Havana, e. Aug. 1, 1861; kid. in Tvnn 

Oct. 5, 1862. 
Miller, \.. Havana, Aug. 1. 1861 ; disd. Dee. ;., 1861. 
Miller, Robert, Havana, Aug. 1, '61 , in. ... Aug 26, '64. 
Miller, W. P., For?st City; died at Natchez July 16, '64 
McMulleii, P., Havana Aug. 1. 1861 ; re-e. 
McMnllen, A , Havana, Aug. 1, 1862 : re-e. a vet. 
Mulford, J. F., June 5, 1861 ; re-e. a vet. 
McKinney, J.. Manito, Aug. 1, 1861. 

McCouih, S. M., Manito, Aug. 1, 1 s«il ; lost a leg at Shiloh. 
Mcintosh, James, Hath, Aug. 1, 1861; re-e. as vet. 
MeOourt, Henry, Bath, Aug. I, 1861 ; disd Aug. 16, 1862. 
Noonan, W.W., Havana, Aug. 1,1861; prmtd. to First 

Lieut. 
Nash, J. E., Manito, Sept. 27, 1861. 
Otto, Joseph, Bath, Aug. 1, 1861 ; re-e. as vet. 
Poinsett, J. V., Havana, Aug. 1, 1801 ; re-e. as vet. 
Price, Isaac P., Havana, Aug. 1, 1861 ; m. o. Aug. 26, '64. 
Price, W. P , Aug. 1, 1861 ; died in St. Louis April 13, '62, 

of wds. 
Price, W. A., Bath, Aug. 1, 1861 ; m. 0. Aug. 26, 1864. 

Palster, C. F., Bath, Aug. 1, 1862; re-e. a- vet ■ 

Rosebrough, S. A.. Mason City, Aug. 1, 1861; kid. at 

Shiloh April 7, 1862. 
Roberts, J. P., Mason City, Aug. 1, '02; disd. Dee. 23, 

1861. 
Robinson, A , Havana, Aug. 1. 1861 ; disd. Nov. '.t, I- 
Robinson, Albin, Havana, Aug. 1, 1861; Invalid Corps 

Sept. 15, I' 

Redinger, John, Spring Lake, Aug. 1, 1861 j m o. Aug. 
1864. 

Kitelirt. M.. Bath, Aug. I, 1861; died in Bath May 26, 

1862, of wds. 
Keinhart. P., Mason County, Aug. 1. 1861; died in Miss. 
Ray, W. J., Mason County, ».ug. 1. 1861 ; re-e. ••- vet. 
Smith, Henry, Havana. Aug. 1. 1861 ; trans, t,. Co. II 
Sas-.-, Aug., Havana, Aug. 1, 1861 ; m. o. Aug. 26, I 
Sullivan, P.. Havana. Aug. 1. 1861; re-e. as vet 
SutlitT, s . Path, Aug. 1, 1861 ; re-e. a- vet. 
Sours. M., Bath. Aug. 1. 1861; wd. at Metamora, Texas. 

StoU,-s. H. L., Mason County, Aug. 1, 1861 ; m. 
26, ls'it. 

Todd, Thomas, Havana. Aug. 1, 1861 : r - 

Yam il ivaua, Aug. 1, 1861 ; re-e. a- vet. 

Wnord, Robert, Havana, Aug. 1, L861 J di-1. Aug. 16, 

Watson. J. J., Havana. Aug. 1, 1861 j re-e. as vet 
Williams, ]•:. N., Havana, An.-. 1, 1861; dii 

1862. 
Witaker, R. D , Havana, Aug. 1, 1861 : re-e. as vet. 
Walker, Henry, Havana. Aug 1, 1861 : disd. 1862. 
Willinan. 1'., Mason County, Oct 13, 1861 ; kid. at Meta- 
mora. 

N\, Topeka, Aug. 1, 1861 ; re-.-, a- vet 
I. C, Topeka, Aug 1, 1861 ; r.- 



4T'» 



HlSToRY OF MASoN COUNTY 



Company K. 
s . Walker 

i II M - D < "itv, -. Ju 



TWENTY-EIGHTB [NFANTRY. 

M 

tUtU ill.'. resigned 

July, 

liter, Hamna, April 21, '68; prmtd. 

Company A. 

First UeoL W. \l N II. April . 

in.... in 

kens, Bavan prmtd. 

1864 : in. ... 

■ 
.. rel .I.ui. 5, 1864 : in. .■ 
i 'in ih. Jobn, II iv .iii.i. ret. Jan. 5, 1864; m. ■•. In 

'. A. Ii.i\.iiui. Jan. 23, 1864; on lurluugh at 

Han li l'.. 1866. 
Dutro, .lli.ll. ■ -i. k. ..i in o. 

•' I ; in. 0. in I 

L864; in. o. ii 
M. S., H .■■ .ii .. Jan . 1864; m. ti 
.1 B . Uava a, Jan. 28, I MM ; m. 0. In . 

im, A., Havana i 

Kemper, n. Forest City, Feb. 1, 1864; m. o. March 15, 

,i ivana, Jan. 4, 1864 : m. o. Man b 18, 1861 . 
i .1 . Qavana, Jan 
Lieut 

ill.-. I ; in ■■ Id : 

M. Mull 
Mcintosh, J., Havana, Jai 

u BL Havana, March 4, 1864 ; m. o. in 1866. 

a i 

1 : in . .. in ; 

I 

, « B . ii .. in i. Jan. i, 1864; m o. i 
M oi., Hava I m ■ In 

■ 

Sullivan, Pat., Havana, Jan tt Brownsville, 

M v J 

■ 
II ivana, Jan. '•, 1864 ; m o. In 

- 

I 
. J. .1 . II r. 964; in. o in • 

William- ■ J II ivau >. J u 1,1864; m. 
Whitakei 

■ 

Company E- 

• \ . ii .» • - 



thiuty THIRD i.M'w n;v 

Company K. 

■ ■ 
tdklna, J. 8., Ii JdJj '-". 

■ 
Beynolda, II M 



Tracy, J v. . M .- o Ctty, e. Aug. 21, 1861 ; died at hoakd 

Hai 
Welch, Win., Mason 

! i 

U M ,- I: I 

>«.ut« - nt «ith- 

.iiil leave. 

Bwartwood, .i 



THIRTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

Company C. 

Qapt ami ird, Spring La , Ao| ' 181 prang] 

Oapt .1. EL Adams, M i 

Kn-i Lieut. W. F. Chapman, Mason Co., \ ig 

prmtd. Lieut Ool. 
I ir-t Lieut .1 li A ! . pimtd. 

Second LienL A. J. Rankin, Spring Lake, Au^- 

read 
Adama, J. II . Haaon ■ \ 21 I [.rnitd. 

Vl.uii-. W M , ■ 

Knob. 
Abrams, I . M laoi e.Aug.26,1861 ; .li I al - 
Jun 

S„Mai 

Knob. 
Brown, I ; deserted. 

Bllngaid, L D . 

Cox, J. \V , Hanlto.e. Aug. 26, l-i.l ; trans. to In 
Dare, J. EL, Haaon Co., e. Aug .'■. 1861 ; k: 

| :■ . 
I 

Bivei 
Kit- , J. G li-ali. 

< ; r. \ .1 ', 861 : in. o. li 

\\ I M , 

Bines, [aaao, Haaon ' 

linn 

Hlnafa rat, C, Mai Co., 
Humphrey , .1., Spring 
Kin^iii in. .1 . M 

nt Andereonville. 
Landers, P . M I8i 1 ; died 

Lanaretfc B I II u 

16, : 
Layphoi 

ton July 9, 1862. 
Mclntyre, John, Una 
16, li 

-.1 Oct, 
• i wds. 
' 

US, : 

Patton, M I . M 
Redding 

IT. : 
I. Q., Haaon < \ 

•■• 

S. It. i-. '. II v it Ander- 

• 1 ..I 11 wling 

■ 

Sho k. I 1861 ; kid. at 

- 

•• i 

\ M B M 

.. 

wounds 

«a - M 

9 :■ :■ 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



471 



Wgbtraan.J., Mason Co., e. Aug. 26, 1861; « li«-<l of wda. 

1863. 
Villiams. Israel, Mason Co., e. An.'. 26, 1861 ; disd. May, 

VBTBB k.NS 

—All those marked " re-*." became vetermu in the 

on the ."'111 uf February, U 

EEOEUITS. 

viu 1. i-i tc v. Has ''>.: re-e. 

lerkley, W. B., Mason Co.; disd. 

jUzzard, T . Spring Lake; died of wds. Jan. 12, I 

Mizzard, A., Spring Lake; died in Alabama. 

ulzzard, J. I>., Spring Lake ; re-e. 

[rane, A. J., died at Tullahoma Nov. 28, 1864. 

hue, \\ .. died a prisr. ».pril I, 1864 

>uvis. w. is.. Bfanito; died in Mississippi. 

Wad, J. W., Mason Co.; died at Andersonville June 8, 

1864. 

is. Mason Co.; m. o. 1865 :<~ Corp. 
; im - B II.. Mason Co.; disd. L863. 
fartley, E., Manito, e. Jan. 23, 1864 ; m. o. March, 1864. 
■arcum, P., Mason Co.; disd lor disability, 
fines, J. M , Mason Co.; re-e.; m, ■ 
gainson, G., Spring Lake,e. Jan. 23, 1864; m. o. 1866. 
Kim:. II.. Mason >'■■: died at Nashville 1862. 
Kimball, .1. M., Topeka, .■. Feb. 6, 1864; trans. to V. E. «'. : 

in. o. 1865. 
IScEinney, A. A.. Mason «'".; re-e. a- vet. 
UcNair, i>.. Mason Co., died at Bowling Green Nov. 27, 

1862. 
S'ornian, G. W., Mason Co.. disd. 1863, disab. 
S'onnan. .1. T., Mason Co., 'Ii'-'i at Nashville .Ian. 31, 1863. 
II.. Manito, e. Jan. 23, 1864; disd for clisab. 

July in, 1865. 
Ratton, A., Havana, e. Jan. 1, 1864; m. o. March, 1866. 
|owe, w. E., Mas-.,, Co., died at Pilot Knob Nov., 1861. 
Reynolds, W. II.. Mason Co., re-e. 
Stuart, W. A.. Mason Co.. died at Iuka Aug. 22, 1862. 
kVilliiiius. J. L., Mason Co.; died at Pilot Knob Nov. 15, 

1861. 



FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 
Company B. 

B. al, Wni. L., Mason Co., e. Sept. 6, 1861 ; m. o. in 1864. 
smith. RuCus P., Mason Co., e. Sept. 6, 1861; disd. for 
dlBab. 

FIFTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

The Fifty-first Regiment was organized at 
Damp Douglas, Chicago, 111., December 24, 
lSi',1. by Col. (!. Vf. Cummings, and moved to 
Cairo on the 1 4th of February, 1862; from 
thence to Camp Cullum, on the 27th, and to 
Bertrand, Mo. On the 7th of March, moved 
to Sykestown, and, on the 10th, to New Mail- 
rid, makings reconnaisance on the 1 3th, and, on 
the 14th, New Madrid was evacuated by the 
enemy. 

April 7, moved against Island No. 10; on 
the 8th. pursued the enemy, compelling the 
surrender of Gen. Mackall with 4,000 prison- 
ers. <>n the 11th, proceeded down the river 
to Osceola, Ark, and, on the 17th. moved to 
Hamburg Landing, disembarking on the 22d, 
ami afterward engaging in the battle of Farm- 
Ington and Biege of Corinth. 

June 4th. advanced I" near Baldwin. Mi" . 
and fell back to Booneville. On the 11th, 
moved to Corinth, and went into camp. 

July 20, left Big Spring and marched to 
Tuscumbia, Ala., and guarded the railroad 
from Hillsboro to Decatur. August "24, the 
regiment concentrated at Decatur, and, on the 



1th of September, moved via Athens, Ala., to 

Nashville, Tenn. November 6, engaged in 
repelling the attacks of Breckinridge. Morgan 
and Forrest. From September 16 to November 
6, Nashville was cut off from all communica- 
tion with the North, and the troops were sub- 
sisting on half rations. 

December 26, moved against the enemy 
under Bragg, Find, on the 30th, met the enemy 
and was engaged during the day. losing seven 
wounded. December 31, the regiment was in 
the thickest of the tight at Stone River, losing 
fifty-seven killed, wounded and prisoners. <>n 
the I6tb of January, moved three miles south 
of Murfreesboro and camped. On the 8th, 
moved to Spring Hill: on the 10th, reached 
Duck Creek, and, on the 11th, Van Don, 
einssed Duck River and Granger returned to 
Franklin. 

June 24, moved via Beacher Grove, reach- 
ing Tullahoma on the 1st of July, the enemy 
leaving the night before. Joined in pursuit 
of the enemy to Elk River. Winchester and 
Cowan, Bragg retreating over the Cumberland 
Mountains and across the Tennessee River. On 
the 9th, ascended the mountains and camped 
on the summit. July 30, moved to Bridgeport. 
Ala., and from thence across the Tennessi 
foot Of Sand Mountain, and up the mountain 
and on to Trenton, Ga. Marched down Look- 
out Valley to Winston's Gap, and on to Alpine 
Ga. On the 14th. marched up Lookout Valley ; 
on the 15th, from Steven's Cap to McElmore's 

Cove. 

On the 1 '."tli of September, went into the 
battle of Chickamauga, at 4 o'clock P. M.. 
losing, that evening, ninety men out of two 
hundred and nine engaged. On the 20th, 
went into position on the extreme right, and 
were heavily engaged. In the afternoon, the 
whole division fell back, in confusion, to Mis- 
sion Ridge, and, on the 21st. threw up works 
at Rossville. On the 23d, crossed Chicka- 
mauga Creek. 

November 24, was again engaged with the 
the enemy at Mission Ridge, losing 30 out of 
150 men engaged, including Maj. Davis. 
wounded, and Capt. George L. Bellows, killed. 
On the 28th of November, marched to the re- 
lief of Gen. Burnside, at Knlkville. Decem- 
ber 16, moved by rail to Blain's Cross Roads, 
and on the 19th of January, moved to Chat- 
tanooga. February 10, the regiment mustered 
as veterans and started for Chicago, and on 
the 17th, received veteran furlough. The reg- 
iment left for the front March 28, 1864, via 
Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga, to Cleve 
land. Tenn. On the 3d of May. began the 
Atlanta campaign. 

Was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge May 9, 
losing 2 men; at Resaca on the 14th, losing 
Capt. Lester- and 20 men wounded. At Dallas, 
May 25, met the enemy in position and were 
engaged eleven days, losing one officer and I 1 
men wounded. June 1">. in a skirmish. Capt. 
Tilton was wounded and 12 men killed and 
wound*. 1. <>n the 27th of June, in the 



472 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNT! 



assauli on Kei main, lost "-' ofl 

iroanded an l "l men killed and iroanded, Mid 
A'ljt. H. w. Ball and Lieu! A. \. McCormack, 

killed. 
Julj 
uaitie*. ". wounded, ged during the 

\ll:ilil;i and lij.'!it at G 

losing 2 wounded, and i g ■'• 

wounded. Marched into Atlanta on the >-il< 
of September. During the campaign, the reg- 
imenl lost killed, l wounded, and 

105 men killed and wounded. After march- 
ing from place lo place, ihe ei gain 
met al Spring Hill, on the '-".'ih of NoTei 
and the regiment lost 12 wounded, inoluding 
Capt. Waterman and <!en. Bradley. Novem- 
ber 80, m nkiin ami engaged in the 
battle there, losing Lieut Thomas, killed ; Capt. 
d and Lieuts. Johnson and Bills, wounded ; 
■''- men ki!U"l and wounded, and 98 men 

shville and en- 

I in the battle of Nashville December 15 

and l •"> wounded. After 

pursued the living enemy, and 

moved to Buntsville, Ala. 

March 81, 1865, moved to Greenville, Tenn. 

N kshville. June 16, moved to 

Jobnsonville and embarked foi 

mbarked fi list, landed at 

Port ind August 1, moved to damp 

■ the '_'"'ili of September, 

the regiment was mustered out at Camp 

and arrive. 1 at Camp Butler, 

Illin r 15, I B65, and was paid off 

and d from furtbe 



Company F. 

■ 2 kid. nt 
tnfnut 6, 

I'.nh. .Inh 18, 181 
in IE 

rmtd. 
prmtd. 

1 

I 

• 
I 
I 

rtlli I 

■ 
Horry, John 
Key, It 

Jul) 31, 

C I 



. John, Mux-: * to V 11 

< u 

v : ■ -.1.1 It 

I 111. k, III. 111.. I >. pfc IS If 

.1 too <• . M ■- • ( H 

Mmli.l, Tin hum J . • 
Jul> 

Maarni, U U . M . 

for dl 
Mulw-rtiill. li 

April 14, It 

iky, W„ M i it 

.« Mountain. 

I'arri-li, A. A., Bath, ■ M in h ' . I86S :.. 
Bed. 
i, J. A., Bat! 

"i Bath, a. Jane 17. 1m. 2; m 

Powell, J >l.i\ 1. 1 -l.J ; ill. 

Parka) 

- 

1864. 

Tlll« N 

Hun, in. Hi- 
3, I 

Bath, e, Jnlj IS, 

malned in prison to Pi I 
M Bath • I 

rer, II . M 

. i; . 
Stuart 

M.ir. li in. :• . July 

Witt, .1- ni. a. Jane 10, I • 

villi- N 



I'll TV THIRD IM'ANTIIV. 
Company E. 
Campbell, a. ii b. and prmul 

Oarlock, A.. BaUi, ■■ J 

1 
hi-. P . Balli, • J 
Puaion, II • li .-. i - 
Goodfelli I iirnilii. 

in.l prmtd. 

il|..v 

J. II . Bath, 

I'm k. n m, \ -I Bal 

, J. II.. 11,1! 

\ • mi. i . I. . Bath, e. Ja 

. kid. in 

Wilkin- 

Kli'KI I n 

A.lkin- - 

I 
. 

13, I 

,n V. Ratli, .- Fob 12, I80S; diad Jan 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



473 



Jones, Henry, Havana, a. April 26, 1862; m. o, 1866. 
Kirk, W'm., Bath, e. Feb. 12, 1862; re-e, 
McDonald, A., B;ith, e. Feb. 13, 1862; re-e. 
B wart wood, S., Batb,e. March 9, 1862; in. o 1HG5. 
Scoles, ('., Bath, e. Feb. 12, 1862; re-e. 



FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 
Company D. 

HigKins, Peter, Havana, e. Oct. 16, 1861 ; m.o. 1864. 
Kent, Henry, Mason Co., e. Oct 16, 1861 ; m o. 1864. 
MtM-an, M.. Mason Co., e. Oct 18, 1861. 
Patterson, Wm., Mason Co., e. i»ct 16, 1H61. 
Fates, Thos. G., Mason Co., e Oct. 18, 1861. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. . 

Company F. 

Casey, Albert W., Havana, e. Oct 19, 1861 ; re-e, 

Casey, Joseph W., Havana, e. Oct 19, 1861 ; died at Qnincy 

May 27, 18*2. 

FIFTY-NINTH INFANTRY. 
Company A. 
First Lient s. M. Jones. Havana ; read, in 18C3. 

SIXTY-FIFTH IN FANTRY. 
Company D. 

fcapt. Van Ness Billings, Mason City, March 16, 1863; 
dismissed in 1863. 

(n-- >. IS. W., Mason City, e. May '.». 1862; died at 
Kno.wille. 

SIXTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. 
Company A. 

Duller, A., Havana, a Oct. 20 1861 ; deserted, 1862. 
Bard, Charles, Havana, e. Sept, 1*. 1861; disd. for wds. 

1862. 
Ford, Ahijuh, Havana, e. On. 20, 1861 ; re-e. and died in 

Louisville. 
Smith, Albert Havana, e. Oct. 20, 1861 ; died at Louisville 

May 17, 1862. 

SIXTY-EIGHTH IN1ANTRV. 

(Three Months.) 

Company K. 

Cl.uk, Henry •'.. Mason Co., e. June 30, 1862. 

Col I., Charles, Mason Co..e. Ji II, 1862. 

Dement, A., Sim .lose, e. June 2, 1862. 
Deinerest. J. II , Spring Lake, e. June J. 
Debose, Noah, Spring Lake, e. June 29, 1862. 
Kain, Thos. .1 . s in Jose, e. June 'J. 1862. 
lain, T. M . So. Jose, e. June 2, 1862. 
■efferson, F. II., San Jose, e. June 'J, 1862. 
fecLeraore, J , Mason Co., e June 2, 1862. 

. r, H., Spring Lake, e. June 29, 1862. 
Wadkins, John, Mason ' "■•., e. June 29, I 

SEVENTY-FIRST INFANTRY. 

(Three Months 

Company C. 

Asliui-t. I M., Bath, e. July 11, 1862; died at Columbns, 

Ki . 
Olotfelter, 0. W., Hath, e. July 11, 1862 
l>auieis, J. II.. Bath, e. July 11. 1862. 
Hamilton, <;. II., Bath, e. July 11, 1862. 

. orgs ]|., lath. e. July II, 

Lacy, Thomas, Bath, e. July 11, IS 
Lucas, 1). W\, Bath, e July 11. 1862. 
Moore. A. M., Bath, e. July 11. 1862. 
(backer, W. 11., Bath, e. July 11, 1862 



SEVENTY-THIRD INFANTRY. 

Company B. 

Baylor, Dallas, Manlto, e. July 19, 1862; disd. 1868. 
Daniel, San Jose, e July 22, 1862; m. o 

Dillon, 1». W., San Jose, 0. July 22, 1862; trans, to Inv 

Corps 186a. 
Miller, Henry, San Jose, e July 22 
Wakefield, James, San Jose, e. July 16, 1862; trans, to 

Inv. Corps 1864. 
Wakefield, T. J., Manito, e. July 19, 1862 , m. o 1866. 

Company F- 

Baxter. Noah, Mason City. e. Ail-. 7, 1 - '•! : rn. 

EIGHTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 

The Eighty-fiftl). being a Mason County 
regiment, is entitled to a more complete history 
of the part it bore in the war than any other 
regiment, and out of BUCh material as we have 
it will be given. The regiment was organized 
at Peoria, in August, 1862, by Col. Robert S. 
Moore, and was mustered into service on the 
27th of August. 1862. 

On the 6th of September, 1862, under orders, 
the regiment went by rail to Louisville, Ky., 
where it was assigned to the Thirty- sixth 
Brigade, Eleventh Division, Third Army 
Corps, Ool. D. MeCook commanding brigade, 
Brig. Gen. 1'. If. Sheridan commanding divi- 
sion, and Maj. Gen. Gilbert commanding corps. 

tin the 1st of October, the regiment ma 
in pursuit of the enemy, under Gen. Bragg, 
and engaged in the battle of Chaplain Hills, at 
Perryville, Ky.. on the 8th of October, and 
from there moved with the army to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., which place was reached on the 
7th of November, 180'J. The regiment went 
into winter quarters in and about Nashville, 
and, whilst here, the battles of Stone River 
were fought and various marches and counter- 
marches were made — the regiment remaining 
in that vicinity until the 1st of July, when it. 
marched with the army to Murfreesboro. soon 
returning to Nashville. 

On the i2< > 1 1 1 of August, 1863, the regiment 
left, with Gen. McCook > Brigade, for the South, 
via Spring Hill and Columbia, toward llunts- 
ville, Ala., which place was reached on t lie 
sth of September, and from there proceeded 
to Chattanooga to join Gen. Rosecrans' army 
ami to participate in the bloody battle <<f ( Jhick- 
amauga, which began on the 17th of Septem- 
ber and continued (o the 21st, when our army 
retired to Chattanooga. On the 24th of Sep- 
tember, the regiment, with the brigade, en — I 
to the north side of the Tennessee River and 
camped at North Chick amauga. The regiment 
participated in the battle of Mission Ridge on 
the 26th of November. On the 28th, the regi- 
ment went into command id' lien. Sherman to 
the relief of the beleaguered city of Kno.wille 
The enemy retiring, i lie command returned on 
the 7th of December, reaching Chattanooga on 
the 18th. and going into winter qu irti 

In February, 1864, the regiment partiei- 
paled in the battle at Buzzard B !; 



474 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



losing heavily in the engagement, which con- 
tinue - • »n the 3d of May, I • irmj 

in command of <ien. Sherman lefl for the 
cam] si Atlanta, 6ght ond 

battle of Uuzzh! LOth and 

1 lih of May, and the bal □ the 

1 4th and 15th, and the battle of Rome on the 
17th of May. The Eighty-fifth was the first 

i In- city. The 
Linued from the -7th of 
May i" the -"'th of June. The battle ol Kent 
Mountain oontinued from the 11th to the 27th 
of June. In this desperate battle the Eighty- 
fifth lost heavily, and amongst them Bome 
<if ii ment, including 

Lieut. Chatfield, Clark Andrews, Henry Buck 
and Bergt. Duvall. Them - cent with 

at the Chattahooohie River on 
the 18th of July, and si Peach i on 

the 19th of July, in which the Eighty-fifth 
heavily again in killed, wounded and captured 
The battle near Atlanta was on the 20th and 
22d of July. On the 1- iber, the 

hard-fought battle of Jonesboro was partici- 
1 in by the Eighty-fifth, and Col. Dilworth 
rely wounded. <>n the lth of Beptember, 

• 1 the city of Atlanta in cfa 

me two thousand prisoners. On the 29th 

- ptember, the army fell back to Athens, 

trom there marched to Florence, Ala., 

whic ". the 5th of ' October. > In 

LOth, the army returned ' Bind 

t'niiii there to Chattanooga, arriving "ii the 

14th. < 'n the 18th, the army again man 

.ii the army of the Cumberland, reaching 
Kingston, via Koine, on the 1st of November, 
destroying all the railroads on the way, and 
continuing on to Atlanta, which was reached 
on the 15th. 

On the L6th of November, 1864, the grand 

army under Gen. Sherman took up its line of 

march t" • ying the railroa \ 

they went aa far as Covington, which dutj 

performed by the advance brigade in which 

i he Eighty-fifl 24th, the 

army let't Mills nd inarched t" San- 

iville, skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry 

<>n the way. On the It the 

armj left Louisville, where it had been in 

camp several d Eighty-fifth losl B6V- 

men who were foraging whilst here. The 

army met no further ssistance until it 

- vuiiniih River, near Bavannah, 

■ and kept up a oon- 

rmiah until the city of Savannah was 

reaohed on tlie llth ..t' December. <>n the 

L8lh, Kurt McCallisti amu- 

ition opened with the Atlantic. On the 

20th, the l by 

at i on the 21st, nur army 

I tin' city. Capturi guns, 

if ammunition, 25,000 bal( 
• ii. and immense quantities of mi 

On this raid, the army marched over three 
hundred miles through the b< 

the 



enemy. Not less than ten thousand negi 
left the plantations of their masters and 
marched with the army in its advance to the 

d pursuit of that liberty which is dear to 

• man, black as well as white. 
The army left Savannah on the 20th of Jan- 
uary its march through South I 
lina, crossing into the State on the ">th of 
February. <»n the s th. the army cut 
from all communications and marched to 
Columbia, the capital of I : md from 
there north, passing Cherau, and continuing 

tyetteville, N. ' '.. which ■ i on 

the llth of March, and a re)"-! arsenal de- 
stroyed. On the 15th, the army marched ft 

Iverysboro, and had an en- 

menl with the enemy on the [6th, and 
from thence i jboro via Bentonville, 

where the enemy was again met an 
in battle on the 19th and 20th of March. On 
the 28d of March, the army reachel Golds- 
boro, terminating t grand raid of 

Sherman's army through Georgia, and the 
inas, a distant five hun 

miles . fighting two batt 

and any number of skirmi 

From Goldsboro the army went in 
of Johnsl -. and arrived at Ka 

on the 18th of April, the enemy retreating 
the city surrendering to our army. From 
there, our forces mat Salisbury on the 

1 -lth. and arrive I at Avery's Kerry, i *] • Fear 
River, on the 16th of April, where Gen. S 
man received a communication from Gen. 
Johnston thai ended further hostilities. <>n the 
18th of April. ition 

of President Lincoln ■ ed and n i 

the several commands, causing the u 
row and gloom to settle upon the victoi 
army of brave men who were before rejoicing 
in the contemplation 

trrender of Johi 

agr 1 upon 1, .'tween the coin man 

Generals of the contending armies, 
the approval of Presidei ■ mean- 

while, the army moved to Holly Springs on the 
•Jlst of April. On the 24th, a dispatch came 
from the President disapproving of the terms 

trrender, and ordering the renewal ol 
tilities. On the 26th, another confei 
had, Gen. Grant participating, which terminated 
in ti eii. Johnston's surrender on the -a me ti 
men to < Appomatl n the 

'.•ill of April. 

The war b< in.' terminated, the army pro- 
led on its march to Washington via R 
ni'ii 1. and was mustered oul on the 5tl 
June, and the Eighty-fifth arrive! 
Butler, Illinois, on the llth of June, 1865, and 
paid off an I • I 

grand marches through the enemy s 
country were the erownii 
and every patriotic citizen ol Mason County 
oughl to -hare, in patriotic pride, the recollec- 
tion thai urtici- 
pated in this til of 

the SI 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



477 



3ol. Robert S. Moore, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; read. June 

it, 181 ::, from disab. 
Jol, Caleb .1. Dilworth, Havana, June 14, isu;s ; prmtd. to 

Brevet Brig. Gen. March 13, 1866; no o. June 5, 

1866. 
bleat. Col. Caleb J. Dilworth, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; 

prmtd 
Lieut. Col. Jus. P.Walker, Mason City, June 14, 1863; 

dismissed. Oct, 6. 1863. 
Lieut. C >l- James Et. I : i-irlitli, Havana, April 7, 1866 ; in. o, 

June 6, 1866. 
Miij. Samuel P. Cuinmings, Astoria, Aug. 27, 1802; reed. 

April 6, 1863. 
Maj. Ii..i>t. t ;. Rider, Topeka, April 6, 1863; resd. Dec. 19, 

1864. 
Maj. Pleasant S. Scott, Petersburg, May 19, 1865; m. o. as 

Cant June 5, 1865. 
Adjt. John 1?. Wright, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; resd. for 

g 1 of service Sept. 23 1863. 

Adjt. Clark N. Andrus, Havana, Feb. 23, 1863; died of 

wds. July 23, 1864. 
Adjt. Preston C. Hudson, Havana, July 28, 1864 ; m. o. 

June 5, 1866. 
y. M. Samuel V. \\'i iulit, Havana, Aug. 9, 1862; dis- 

missed Nov. 21, 1862. 
Q. M. Holloway W. Lightcap, Havana, Dec. 1,1862; resd. 

July 30, 1863. 
Q. If. Wm. H. Evans, Vermont, Jan. 14, 1864; m. o. June 

5, 1865. 

Surgeon James P. Walker, Mason City, Aug. 22, 1862 ; 

prmtd. to Lieut Col. 
Surgeon Philip L. Diefenbacher, Havana, June 14, 1863; 

in o. June 5, 1865. 
lint ksst Burgeon P. L. Diefenbacher, Havana, Aug. 27, 

1862; prmtd. 
Fir-t Asst. Surgeon Gilbert \\. Southwick, Arcadia, Aug. 

6, 1864; honorably disd. May 15 

Second Asst. Surgeon James C. Patterson, Mason City, 

Sept. 1, 1862; resd. April 16, 1864. 
Chaplain Joseph Barwick, Havana, Aug. 28. 1862 ; m. o. 

June 5, 1865. 

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF. 

Sergt. Maj. N. C. Andrews, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; prmtd 

to Adjt. May 8, 1863. 
Sergt. Maj. W. S. Allen, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. 

June it, 1865. 
Q. M. Sergt. James T. Pierce, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; 

disd. by order of (Jen. Thomas 
Q. M. Sergt. Edwin M. Durham, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. 

o June 5, 1865. 
Comsy. Sergt. Thomas J. Avery, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. 

o. June 5, 1865. 
hospital Steward .las. L. Hastings, Mason City, Aug. 27, 

1862; in. o. June ">. 1865. 
Principal Muen. John Hazelrig, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. 

o. June .">, 1865. 
Principal Musn. James B. Durdy, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; 

in. o. .Inn,- 5 
Principal Musn. Robert L. Durdy, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; 

disd. Her. 27, 1862, 

Company A. 

Capt. Matthew Langston, Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; resd 

Jan. 11,1863. 
Capt.Thos. B. Roberts, Tazewell Co., Jan. 11, 1S6 : ; resd 

April 15, 1864. 
First Lieut. Thos. R. Roberts, Tazewell Co., Aug. 27, '62 

prmtd. 
first Lieut. Daniel Westfall, Manito, Jan. 11,18 

Marcli 'J-".. 1863. 
First I.ieut. Daniel Havens, Spring Lake, March 25, L863 

honorably disd. May 15, 
Second Lieut. John W. Neal, Manito, Aug. 27,1862 

resd. Nov, 12, 1862. 
Second Lieut. Daniel Westfall, Manito, Nov. 12, 1862 

prmtd. 
Second Lieut. Daniel Havens, Spring Lake, Jan. 11, 1863 

prmtd. 
Second Lieut John K. Milner, Manito, March - 

died as Kirst Sergt Aug. 20, 1864. 
First Sergt Albert Q. Beebe, Manito, Aug. 27, ls02; disd 

Feb. it, 1863, from wds at Perryville, Ky. 

Sergt. Daniel Havens, Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862 
prmtd. 

BergtJohn K. Millner, Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1*02; died 

from wds. in hands of enemy Aug. 20, 1864. 
Sergt. William W Landreth, Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; 
disd. for disability March 24, I - 



Sergt. Josiah Stout, Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. 

June 5, i860, as Regimental Color Bearer. 
Corp. Benjamin White, Spring Like, Aug. 27, 1862; kid. 

at Perryville, Ky., Oct B, i-';j. 
Corp. Jos. F. Rogers, Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; died al 

Howling Green, Ky., Nov. 13, I 
Corp. James Gash, Mason Co., Aug. -7, 1863 ; m.o. June 5, 

1866, at 
Corp. Newton Kin;;, Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; m.o. June 

6, 1 ■ ■ 
Corp. A Ion zo McCain, Spring Lake, Aug. 27,1862; m.o. 

July 22, 1865, as prisoner. 
Corp. Pleasant 8. Trent, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. 

June 5, L865. 
Corp. George W. Smith, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; absent 

sick at m. o. 
Corp. George M. Welch, Mason Co., An,'- 27, 1862 ; shot 

at Nashville, Tciii.. Dee. 26, ;■ 

Musician George W, S. Babbett, M is m I o . Aug. i~ . 

m. o. June 5, 1865. 
Musician David P. Black, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. 

.tune 5, 1865. 
Wagoner Joel P. Somers, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. 

June 5, 1865. 
Anno, David, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, '66, 

as Corp. 
Anno, John F., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died of wds. 

July 25, 1864. 
Arnett, James P., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; died at Nash- 
ville, Tonn., Feb. 17, 1863. 
Alva, Francis M., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 

5, 1865. 
Alyea, John W., Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 

17, 1865, a prisoner. 
Albin, Wm. M., Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June.",, 

1865. 
Bartram, R W., Spring Lake, Aug. 27, 1862; absent -i 1, 

at m. o. of regt. 
Boon, John A., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 5, 

1865 
Bostyfield.John, Jr., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 

5, 1866. 
Bass, Gibson, Masou Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died at Nashville, 

July 3, 1863. 
Barnes, Kezeniah, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 

5, 1865. 
Case, John F., Manito, Aug. 27, 1862 ; disd. for disab. Oct. 

23, 1 - 
Case, J. din, Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for disab. Oct. 

S.\, 1862. 
Cogdal, Isaac, Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 1865. 
Cogdal, Eli M., Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for disab 

March 8, 1863. 
Cratty, Edmond, Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; absent, sick at m. o. 

of regt. 
Furguson, Alex., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; absent, sick 

at in. o. of regt. 
Furguson, John, Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Gilmore, Franklin, Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; died at 11 ow- 

ardaburg, Ky., Nov. 3, 1863. 
Gillmore, James F , Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd for 

disab. Jan. I 
Gordon, David A., Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; died at Dan- 
ville, Ky., Oct. 27, 1862. 
Gardner, John >., Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; died at Nash- 
ville April 26, 1863. 
Jackson, Samuel, Manito, Aug. 27, ',1862 ; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Jones, Samuel, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Langston, Wm. F.. Manito, Aug. 20, 1862 ; in. 0. June 5, 

1865. 
McLaughlin, Wm., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. Jun« 
- 
v, Wm., Manito, Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. May 22, 1865, 
- rgt. 
Nash, Lemuel V., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; kid. at Per- 

ryvllleOct. 8, L£62 
Peters. Idea I' . M is in >., Aug. 27, 1862; died at Nash- 
ville May 2, 

Pringle, Robert, Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; m. o. June ,, 

1865. 
lVmherton, Beaurop, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for 

disab. .Ian I 
Porter, Lewis, Manito, Ann. 27, lsu2; disd. for disab 

Jan. 19, 1863. 
Price, John W., Mason Cjunty, Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. 

June • 

Q 



47> 



HISTORY OF MASoN COUNTY. 



Neagan, Ourifll W., Manit... Aug 27, 18621 kid. at 
1,1864 
i. Hiram I'.. Manit... Aug. 87, 1862; m. o. June 

22, 1 - 
Irani I Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. 

Juni 
Talbott. .1..I111 B., Haaon County, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. 

June 5, 1865. 
u I, D . Mi- -: I mnty , Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 

6,18) 
Weatiall, Daniel, ktanito, Aug. 27, 1862; prmtd. 

Company B. 
1 apt .1. K Qrifflth, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862,; prmtd. to 

Lieut 
Oapt ' hai I' - t . K County, Aug 

I 111. o. 
Kin-t Lieut! harlei W. P aa, Aug. 27, 1862; 

trans, to luv. < orpa ' 

Lieut Albert L>. Cadwaluv bonor- 

abiy di* bai ged April 1 . 
Lieut John W. Patl 86; m. 

me '■. 1 S66. 

: John \- afallory, Havana, Aug 27, 1862; 
read. Jan. 24, 1863. 

d Lieut William Allen, Havana, Jan. 24, 1863; 
commissi! n canceled, 
d Lieut George Myen Havana, Jan. 24,1863; 

William .-. Allen, Havana, Aug. 27, 

M .j. 

_.• D. Prior, Havana, An First 

gt.; killed al P 1 k Jul) 19, 

luhn G Ickerson, Havana, Aug 27, 1862; diad, 

• ■ Myers, Bavan • . 2; prmtd. to 
ad Lieut. 

Bergl Israel J Alden, Havani -; deserted 

and joi 1 mIi Mo ; deserted and Joined 60th 111.; 

amnestied and returned to company; deserted May 
13, 1 • 

\. |i Cadwallader, ! | rmtd. 
to First Bergt., then to 1 

Corp. Isaac Mann, Havai m. 0. June 5, 

Warren Tlppey, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862, kid. at 
ib 19, 1864. 
( orp \i.n. 1 Eveland, Havana, Aug. - I. for 

Jos K Blahop, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. O.June 
Ivate. 
Corp. Kills Bowman, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; diad. for 
dlsabilitj feb 8, 

.1 Jim 11. 1 |.-\ land, Havana, Aug. 27, I ! 
giment 

in ... June 

i \ ■■ . in. 0. 

Mu-.. kug._27, im.'J; died 

at Bowling G 
I illiam It. Mull, Havana, a dir-d. 

disability June 1". 1 - 
Ackeraon, A. W., Havana, Aug. 27, 1-' I Jan. 

1"'. I 
Ackerson, J. B., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; di 

kid. 

Brei I 

Balor, 1865, 

BurkboMer, B, H 

Havana, a 1 . 

Bell, 'Mi - Mil wi. and trai 

Mini! 

N 11 . Havai 1 Dec. 

Il.i-li. las 1. '. , II .|..; trana. to 

luV ' 

Buffalow, w in , II 
Blair, B I II 1 



Curran, Maurice, Havana, Aug. 27, 18G2; m. 0. Juno 5, 

Cluney, Thomas, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; in 0. June J. 

1866, as Bergt. 
Conrad. Basil, Havana, An kld.at Peach Tree 

July 19, 1- 
Conm-r, Henry, Havana, Aug. 27, 1802; absent si 

ui. 0. 
Cornian. David, Havana, Aug. 27,1862; kid. at I 

Dunawain, EL, Havana, Aug. 27, 18C2; died Nov 2, 

ibrville, Ky. 
Dair, Charles D., Havana, Aug. 27, 1802 ; m. o. June 17, 

priar. 
Eveland, At \ul:. 27, 1862; kid. at IN-acb 

Tree Creek July 19, 186C 
Pitch, Josepb II.. Havana, Aug. J7, 1S02: vvd.; alwent at 

ill. o, 
David, Havana. Aug :isd. for disability 

April . 
Gray, John, Havana, Aug. 27, l- 

Greathouse, Wm., Havana, Aug. 27, l x, J: disd. for dis- 
ability April 22, 1 
Greathouae, James, Br., Havana, An,.- m. o. 

Jun 
Greathouai . James, Jr., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died. 
Galbraitli, J., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died Jan. 3, 18C3, 

al Nashville. 

ui, .1. 1 . Havana. \._ 27, 18 ted Not. 

\ I ' 
Hurley, Charles, Havana. Aug m. o. June 

Hutton, Thomas, Havana, Aug, 27, 1862; in. o. June 5, 

1865, ■■■ 
Heal. I. . I. .in, \v . Havana, \ug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 17, 

1865 . was priar. 

Hamilton, John, Havana, Aug. 27. 1862; deserted at 
I' 01 la. 

Hurley, Bartholomew, II 27, 1862; dii 

Yi-li\ [lie Jan 23 

Holmes, Wm. D., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. fur dis- 
ability April::. 1- 

H.iltry, David, Havana. Aug. 27, 1862; deserted at Peoria. 

Jones, Richard, Havana, Aug. 27. 1862; daserl 
Peoria 

Jones, li.nj . Havana, Aug. 27. ! - 

Johnaon, John, Havana, Aug . p.; kid. at 

Tree Creek July 1 ■ 
Sealer, Cha« F., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. June 6, 

1866 s t. not mustered, 
Krayten, B. F II 27,1862; trans, to marina 

Linderman, T. <;.. Havana, Auf m. o. June 

Morris, David, Havana. Aug. 2 

Hintonie, A. I . Havana. Aug. J7, 1862; in. O. June 
mI. Enoch, Havana. Aug 27, 1862; died Jan. C, 

on march, 
rd, Lucius, I 1 lune 5, 

I ll ,, ma .in "..lune 

•'•. 1 • 
M ■ n ib. .v. .1. M.. Havana, Ai m. o. June 

Mill in. ... Juu.' .. 

Davi I, Ha' died. 

Nut . lune 6, 

l-i ,. ,- i orp. 
N'utt. .v II ; 

k. at 

tin II.. Bath -; ni. o. July 22, 

1 

Paul, i for die 

ahilin ' 
Paul, Samuel, II iv Uility 

Pierce, T B . II ivan . a id at Ken- 

' ■ 

|, J !, . U ,. 

Lieut. 

B bert, H iv it ■ lug. ■■ !■' -• ■ 

••. \ i II ,. in ... Junt- 

as ( 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



479 



Kohardson, I*\, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; died, for disabil- 
ity Oct. 18, 1863. 
piles, W. II., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. Aug. 30, '65. 
Singleton, J. F. M., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; in. 0. May 

27, 1865. 
Bngleton, J. T., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; died at Tulla- 

boma July 2 r >, 1864. 
South wood, Wm, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 

5, 1865. 
South wood, KIlis, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o, June 

5, 1865. 
Spink, Charles, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; kid. at Peach 

Tree Creek July 19, 1864. 
Shock, Jacob, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; deserted Sept. 

1, 1862. 
Mtgley, David, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. July 5, 1865; 

was prisoner. 
Thomas, J. B., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died Jan. 20, '63, 

at Bowling Green, Ky. 
Tippey, James W., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; trans, to Inv. 

Corps. 
Tippey, Henry, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June ">, 

1865. 
Winchell, Wm., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865 ; a prisoner. 

Winchell, Geo., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1866 ; a prisoner. 

Westfleld, James H., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 
5, 1865. 

RECRUITS. 

McKillips, J. M , Havana; disd. for disability Feb. 8, '63. 
Paul, Thos. E., Havana ; died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 

7, 1862. 
Pierce, James F., Havana ; prmtd. to Q. M. Sergt. 
Strode, Silas, Havana ; disd. for disability April 22, 1863. 

Company C. 

Capt. Samuel Black. Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862 ; resd. 

Jan. 24, 1863. 
Capt. Geo. A. Blanchard, Havana, Feb. 7, 1863 ; honor- 
ably disd. May 15,1866. 
First Lieut. Geo. A. Blanchard, Havana ; Aug. 27, 1862 ; 

prmtd. 
First Lieut. Wm. W. Walker, Mason County, Feb. 7, '63; 

reed. Oct. 7, 1863. 
First Lieut. James M. Hamilton, Mason City, Oct. 7, '63 ; 

m. u. June 5, 1865. 
Second Lieut. Wm. W. Walker, Ma<?on County ; Aug. 27, 

1862; prmtd. 
Second Lieut. James M. Hamilton, Mason City ; Feb. 7. 

1863 ; prmtd. 
First Sergt. Wm. M. Hamilton, Mason City, Aug. 27, '62; 

disd. for disability Jan. 27, 1863. 
Sergt. Andrew Kichv, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. 

for disability Aug. 18, 1863. 
Sergt. John II. Du vail, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; First 

Sergt ; kid. at Kenesaw June 27. 1864. 
fcrgt. John Housworth, Mason City; Aug. 27, 1862 ; in. 

o. June 17, 1865, as First Sergt : was prisoner. 
Sergt. James M. Hamilton, Mason city, Aug. 27, 1862 ; 

prmtd. to Second Lieut. 
Corp. J. B. Logue, Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. 

June 5, 1865, as pi hit". 
Corp. Harvey II. Hutchens, Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862; 

disd. for disability Jan. 22, 
Corp. James 0. Logue, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862 ; disd. 

for disability Jan. " 
Corp. James L. Hastings, Mason City, Ant:. 27. 1862 : 

prmtd. Hospital Steward. 
Corp. James J. Pelham, Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862; 

disd. for disability Feb. 13, lsr,:i, as private. 
Corp. Pleasant Armitrong, Mason County, Aug. 27,1862; 

trans, to Marine Brigade Jan. 13, 1st;:;. 
Corp. Cyrus R. Quigley, Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862; 

in. o. June 5, 1865, as private. 
Corp. Andrew J. Updyke, Mason County, Aug. 27, 1862; 

disd. for disability Feb is. 1865. 
Musician George W, Detrich, Mason City) Aug. 27, 

1862 : disd. for disability Feb. 10, 1863. " 
Musi.-ian Benj. F. Scovill, Mason County, Aug. 27, L862; 

m. o. .Inn" "', 1865 ; prisoner. 
Bragoner s. H. B. Hollingsworth, Mason County, Aug. 

27, 1862 ; m. ... June 5, 1865, as Corp. 
Armstrong. Win., Mason Co.. Aug. 27. 1862; disd. at 

Louisville, Kv 
Alkir.-, Wm. li . Mason I o. Aug. -7, 1862; m. . June 

17, 1866, Corp.: prisr. 



Atchinson, Jno. II., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for 

disability, Jan. 17, 1863. 
Atchinson, Michael, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. June 

17, i860, prisr. 
Bradford, David, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; captd. July 

19, 1864. 
Brooks, Allium, MasoD Co., Aug. 27,1862; Corp., died 

Nashville, April 7, 1863. 
Buck, Heiiiv II., Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; Sergt, kid. 

Kenesaw, June 27, 1864. 
Burnett, John L., Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; kid. at 

Kenesaw, June 27, 1864. 

Black, George, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 17. 
1865, prisr.; Ser^t. 

Clark, Channing, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; Corp.; sick 
at m. o. of regt. 

Cluster, Francis A., Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; Corp.; m. 
o. June 17, 1865. 

James; Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; Sergt.; m. o. 
June 17, 1865, 

Clark, Win , Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died at Bowling 
Green Nov. 16, 1862. 

Cue, Nelson I)., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. June 17, 
1865. 

Carter, Jos. W., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; disd. for dis- 
ability N< v. 7, 1864. 

Derwent, Samuel, Mason Co., Aug. 27,1862; died at Nash- 
ville Dec 19, 1862. 

Deitrich, Jere , Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; died of wds. 
at Nashville July 13,1864. 

Dray, Samuel A., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 
17, 1865 

Dolcater, Peter, Mason Co.. Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for dis- 
ability Jan. 24, I - 

Daugherty, Daniel, Mason Co., Aug 27, 1862 ; died of 
wds. at Chattanooga, Aug. 24, 1864. 

Gates, Ephraim, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died at 
Bowling Green Nov. Is, 1862. 

Gardner, Elbert L , Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd-. for 
disab. March 16, 1863. 

Gardner, James M., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. 
Juno 17, 1865. 

Gardner, John R., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. July 
15, 1865 ; prisr. 

Gardner, John A., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died at 
Harrodsburg, Ky., Nov. 25, 1862. 

Green, Thos. W., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 

17, 1865. 

Gregory, George, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; died at 

Danville, Ky. 
Halley, Jeremiah. Mason Co., Aug. 17,1862; Corp.; m. 

o. June 17, 1865; prisr. 
Hastings, Daniel W., Mason City, Aug. 27,1862; died 

at Bowling Green, Kv., Nov. s.:. 1862. 
Ilailsall. Edwin N\, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862, m. o. 

June 1 , . 1865. 
IIoiis, Solomon, Mason Co.. Aug. 27, 1862; trans, to 

V. R. C. 
Hous, Wesly, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for disab. 

March 1, 1863. 
Harkness, John, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; 

Oct. 20,1862. 
Ishmael. Lewis, Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; died at An- 
napolis Dec. 18, 1864. 
Lofton, Robert, Mason City, An;-. 27, 1862; m.o. June 5, 

1865, as Sergt. 

Lane, T. W., Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. June 17, 

Lane, Richard A., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd. for 

disab. Jan. 15, 1863. 
Lane, Abraham L., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; disd. April 

18, 1864. 

Lane, Green I'.., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. June 

17, It 
deeper, Jam.-. Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; kid. at Kene- 
saw. June 25 
Moore, Geo. A.. Mason Co.. An- 27, 1862 : disd. for disab. 

Jan It 
M .ssl in.ler, G. W., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 

17. 1865 ; was prisr. 
McCarty, Jacob, Mas in Co., Aug. 27, 1862; 'lis.l for disab. 
Robert S.j M ig. 27, 1862; died at 

Bowling Green Nov. is, 1862. 
Marshall. Jeremiah. Mason Co., Aug. 27. 1802 : trans, to 

4th l". s. Cav. Dec. 4, 1862. 
Montgomery, J. 0., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862; Corp.; 

trans, to Miss. M. B.Jan. 13, It 
Mitchel, W. II., Mason Co., Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 17, 

1865, a- S.rgt. 



180 



MISTMiiY <>F MASON COUNTY. 



Mason Co., Auk o.June 

II pii-r. 
McClarin.A., Mi City, Aug. 27,1882; died in pi - 

».l- An.- I 

•>! Meson Co., 

Mt July 22, : 

s B -.l-.July 

unui I, .lr.. M . 
at in. ■ •. 
Newberry, Win . Mason I'm 

abillt] i 
Oaborn, I > disabil- 

ity M 

it Bowl- 

■ - 
bllltj i 
Pelbam, - - m.o.Jupe 17. 1866; 

prim - 

P,.lliniii. \\ I died at 

Paul, Kb ' Bowling 

B 

,i-l. f..r disabil- 

Itj -i in., U 
Reynold* Q W died at Bowl- 

n Not. 1 1 

Ramsey, Hiram, Mason < ity, Li . . died at 

Bowline Q D 

Kiti.-r. \ in o. June •"•. 

■ i., Aug. 23, It V. B. ( 

- 

Orlando, Mason i - kid. at Perry- 

vill- Oct. 8, 1862. 
Stnbblefli i ••■ June 

17, 1866 : priar. 
Stagg, Thomai 1862 . < orp , died in 

■ 

.- 27, 1862; kid. at Perryrille 

smith. Win. M.i- n C Lug. 27, 1882; died al Bowling 

|. 1862. 
Tyrrell, W. A.,1 m. o. Jane 17, 

of war. 
Temple, J P M trans, to V. it. 

ig. 10, 1864. 
Tomlin, J II . Ilason I 1862; kid- at B 

.Inn- 27, I 

Whipp, M \ . M i- -i.. Li at, -ii U. 

m ii. 
Wagonei -7. 1802; m. o. Jane 

17. ' 

Lug. 27, 1862; died ol wdi., in 
D, Lug 2, l -• l 
Young, I P m ii a City.VAag U7, 186S; trail I 

Young, i B N ' lied ol wdi . at 

NaahriUe, July i" 
fardley, n '.. Mason • '•-. Lug 27, 1868 m o. June 

17,' 1 

Company D. 

Oapt Chat ■ - W Houghton, Batl 

ii Chatfteld, Bath, D It Id. June 

•i Bath, June 27, 18M . died 

1864, in ambu 
i'i|it Tii -ii i- T. Patten Bat) 164; m 

,i m ii B tymond, Mm 
!' I, 1862 
Ku-t i.i-nt Gharisa ll. Chatfleld, Batl 

pi inl'l. 

- mnel Young, Bath, I prmtd. 

! : | 

prmtd 

Kir-t I 

i.i-nt Ohariei H Ohatfleld, Bal 
prmtd 

Lieut William W Turner, Batl 
'■; 

i,u-i Young, Bath, \ prmtd. 



W W. Turner, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862 : |.rmt.| 

Broth, Bath, Au{ kid, at 

Ohaplin'f Hill-. By . ii. t - 

>. Bath, An. ma, to v. 

R i - 

Bath, Aug. 27, i- 
wda 

1862 , in o.June '•, 

C i| .i R Navel, B il m, o. Jnna "■, 

j 

in. ... Jnna ■'•, 
181 

1. Bath, - \ in o. June "•. 

I- 5 
Corp. Job. ft Lug. 27, i - 

Corp Hi' • -. An.- 27, I i I li«ab. 

Jan. 16, :- 

Corp. John O'Brien, Bath, e. Lug. 27, luoeo, 

i- private 
Oon I, Bath, •-. Aug. 27, 1862: in. .. 

June . 1865 ; prmtd. 
Huan. Chaxlea I Hamilton, Bath, e. Aug. 27,1862; m o, 

Maj 18,1 J 

Mu-n. Kramis M. Berry, Batl, J 1862; m. o. 

June 

\ J. Allen, Hath, e. Aug. -7. 1862; m. o. June 

i. Math, e. Ann. 27. 1862; prim. I. Coma] 

Beat, Henry, Bath, -. A ; m. o. June 5, 

Black, Clinton, Bath, e. Aug. 21 
Bullard, N. A., Hath. -. Any 27, 181 2 m o.June 
Conorer, Joseph, Bath, e. Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

at Corp. 
Oastleberry, II. w . n a 
dlaab. Oct. 15, 1862. 
Oaatleberry, W ll m. o. June 

Oady, Joseph, Math. -. \ died Jan. 4, i- 

I'.ippi-r, A., Bath, ft. Aug -7,1- k, ut iii .i 

Carlo ■. Bath, a. Aug 27, 1882; m. o. Jun< 

8 rgt. 

Oloee, w n . Bath, ■ 8; m. o. M 

, ».l. 
Oapena, Robert, Bath, - Lug 27, i- 

li-u th, -. Aug. 27, 1862; in •• June 

Hurl, uin. K M, Bath, 

Daria, Noah, Bath,*. Aug. 27, 1861; Icld, bj raidr 

cidenl going home 
Daria, Wm . Bath, a. Lug 87, 1862; m o J 
now, Cadmus, Math, -. Aug. 27, 1862; kid al 
i reek Juna 19, 1864 

m. ,• June 
in. •■ June 
■ 'I' 

in. Sall.u-l. Math 

l-i ■ 

Hicks, W 11 died In Ln I 

vill- Pris -ii M o 1 1.102, 

ii. Iris, John, Bath, e. Aug 27,1862; print. I t.. I'rin- 

ll urbt :. John I. . Bath, m o. Juna "■. 

H imiltoo, \. ' . Bath, ■ 

Howarth, Henry, Bath, e. Aug 27,181 wd. in 

eleven engagements . m. • M 
Houghton, i 

Jon 

Kerit, Lrmab . I, Math. • \u. 27, 1862 ; m. o. J i 

I. iwra 

Lug 27, 1- 
oan, hw, i " •■ -'"'x ' , - 

Q Bath, • 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY 



481 



Morgan, Hugh, Havana, .Vim. 27, 1862; died of wds. 

July 9, 1864. 
Monger, Win. II.. Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Myers, James, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. June .=>, 1865. 
Murphy, John J., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; died of wds. July 

7, 1864. 
Matteson, Harold, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; deserted Nov. 28, 

1862. 
Noder, Robert, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; lost at Chickamauga. 
O'Rourke, Pat., Bath, Aug. 27, L862 ; in. o. June •"•, 1865. 
Parks, O. W., Bath, Aug. 27, '62; died, of wds. April 
Plasters, John, Bath, Aim 27, 1862 ; in. ... Jim.- "., 1865. 
Prico, John W., Bath, Aug. 27, L862 ; died Dec. 11, 1862, 

at Louisville, Kv 
Phelps, John L., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 1865, 

as Corp. 

Patterson, T. F., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; prmtd. to Liout, ami 

Capt. 
Patterson, N. ('., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. June 5, '65. 
Phelps, D. B., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; died, for disability 

May 23, 1863. 
Hansom, W. II., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; died Jan. 4, 1863. 
Rochester, N. S., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862 ; in. o. June 2, 1865, 

of wds. 
Rochester, J. S., Bath. Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June :., 1865, 

as Corp. 
Robins, Alanson, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. ... June ."., 1866. 
Blunders, Wm., Bath, Aug. 27, L862; m. ... June :., 1866. 
Reeder, Elias, Bath. Aim. 27, 1862 ; disd. March 5, 1863. 
Bay, Rolla, Bath, Aim. 27,1862; disd. Feb. 1. 1863. 
Stilts. Jam. s, Hath, Aim. 27. 1862 ; died May il, L863. 
Bizelo' e, John, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. July 22, 1st;.".. 

a prisoner. 
Scholes, John, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. June 5, 1865. 
Smith. F. M., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 : in. o. June 5, 1865. 
Btely, Merton, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; died Dec, 1862. 
Turner. Van., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 5, 1865, as 

Corp. 
Treadway, M. L„ Batn, Aug. 27, 1862; died Feb. 6, 1863. 
Troy, Martin, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; .lied at Mound City 

Oct. 2, 1864. 
Toley, 0. W., Bath, Aim. 27. 1862; died. Feb. i, L863. 
Vanianingbani. Geo., Havana. Aug. 27, L862 ; deserted 

Her. 23, 1862. 
Welch, J. H., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; kid. at Peach Tree 

(reek July 19, 1864. 
Webh. Ira, Bath, Aug. 27, 1802; died Dec. 9, 1802. 
Wheeler, Christ., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862 ; deserted Sept., '63. 
Wallace. James, Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 1865. 
Young, Win., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; in. o. June 5, 1865. 
Vardly, Jaeob, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; ni. ... June 5, 1865, 

as Sergt. 

RECRUITS. 

Batterson. G. P., Mason Co.; m. o. June 5, 1865. 
Pulling, George W., Mason Go. ; deserted Feb 14. '63. 

Company I. 

1 Capt. David M. Halstead, Havana, April 19, 1863; resd 
Oct. 7, 1863. 
First Lieut David M. Halstead, Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; 

prmtd. 

Burbridge, Thos., Manito, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died at Nash- 
ville Jan.l, 1863. 

Cain, i harles, Havana, Aim. 27, 1862; disd. July 31, '64. 

Dingier, Geo., Bath, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 22, I 

Wat- in, John, Havana, Aug. 27. 1862 : in. o. Jane 5, '66, 
i- Corp. 

Company K. 

("apt. Robert c Rider. Topeka, Aug. 27,1862; prmtd. 

Major, 
('apt .Samuel Sates, Topeka, April 6, 1863, m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
First Lieut. Samuel Yates, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; prmtd. 
First Lieut. Isaac ('.Short, Topeka, April 6, 1863; in. ... 

June 6, 1866. 
E ii.l Lieut. Isaac ('. Short, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; 

prmtd. 
Sec.mi Lieut. Eli F Neikirk, Forest City, April 6, 1863; 

resd. Nov. i, 1864 
First Bergt. Robert F. Reason, Havana. Aug. 27,1862; 

died at Louisville Oct 22, 1862, 
Sergt. John N. Hole, Havana. Aug. 27. 1862; disd. Feb.::. 

1863, First Sergt. 



Sergt. John S. Walker. Havana, Aug. 27, 1802; disd. May 
20, 1864, as private. 

Sergt. v. v. CarriDgton, Aug 27, 1862; m. o. June S, 

1865. 
Sergt. Win. Masteison, Forest City, Aug. 27, 1862 ; trans. 

to !th Cav. Dec. 1, 1862. 
Corp. Thomas Jemison, Havana, Aug. 27, 1802; died Dec. 

20, lsr.2, at Nashville. 
Corp. Joseph Bo.lle, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. ... June 5, 1865, as 

private. 
Corp. Wm. K. Rose, Aug. 27, 1862; died Nov. 8, 1862, at 

Danville, Kv. 
Corp. John M. Durham. Aug. 27, 1862; died Jan. 22, 1863, 

at H iwling Green. 
Corp. Wm. II. Hole, Havana, Aim. 22, 1802; m.o. June 5, 

1866, as Sergt. 
Corp. Preston C. Hudson, Havana. Aug. 27,1862; trans. 

to Co. I. 
Corp. Romeo Magill, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; died Dec. 8, 

1862, at Danville, Ky. 

Corp. James Jemison, Havana, Aug. 27,1862; kid. at Ken- 

esaw June 24, i864. 
Musician James Durdy, Havana, Aug. 27,1802; prmtd. 

to Drum Major. 
Musician George Ib.agland, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. Feb. 3, 

1863. 
Ames, Orpheus, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 5, '65, 

a^ i !orp. 
Andrews, Clark N., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; prmtd. Sergt. 

Major. 
Beck, William, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Blakely, W. C, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; died March 7, '63, 

at Nashville. 
Barr, John M„ Havana. Aug. 27. 1862; died Feb. 26, '63, 

at Nashville. 
Bowers, Jell'.. Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. Feb. 28, 1863. 
Chaplin, Jos., Havana. Aim. 27, 1802; in. o. June 5, 1865. 
Colglazier, D. B., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died Dec. 9, '62, 

at Danville. Kv. 
Cottrell, George H, Forest City, Aug. 27, 1862; supposed 

.lead 

Dui.lv. Robert L., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862: disd. Dec. 27, 

1862. 
Drake, George, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, '65. 
Erick, Charles, Havana, Aug. 27, 1802 ; m. o. June 5, '65, 

as Sergt. 
Evans, W. II., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. Nov. 25, '62. 
Fountain, Isaac, Forest City, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 5. 

1865. 
Frank, John, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1805. 
Gumbell, Wm., Forest City, Aug. 27, 1S62; m. o. June5, 

1865. 
Grover, B. II., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862 ; died Jan. 5, 1863, 

at Bowling Green. 
Griffin, A. D., Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; died Dec. 9, '62, 

at Nashville. 
Griffin, J. N., Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

1865. 
Garrison, R. C, Mason City, Aug. 27, 1862; kid. at Buz- 
zard Roost, Ga., Feb. 25,1864. 
Hopping, G. II., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, '66, 

as i Sorp. 
Himmel, A. J., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, '65, 

as Se 
Hetzeller, Geo., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862 ; m. o. June 5, 1865, 

as Corp. 
Ilil.bs. Benj., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 1865. 
Horsey, 8. B. Forest City, Aug. 27, 1862 ; First Sergt., kid. 

at Jonesboro. Ga., Sept. 1, 1864. 
Hitchcock. 0. E., Havana, Aug. 27, 1802; disd. Feb.::, '63. 
Hopping, Kphraini, Topeka. Aug. 27, 1862; absent, sick, 

at m. ... 
Joneaon, Daniel T., Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; died Feb. 4, 

1801, at Richmond, Va. 

Jemison, Wm II, Havana, Ang. 27, 1862 ; died Jan. 1, 

1863, at Bowling Green. 

Jackson, Joseph F... Topeka, Ang. 27, 1802 ; in. o. June 

5, 1865. 

Killip, Wm.. Havana, Aug. 27, 1862; disd. Feb 24,1863. 
Mohleobrink, F., Havana, Ang. 27, 1862; m. o. June 5, 

Moblenbrink, H., Havana, Aim' 27. 1862; in. o. June 

6, 1805. 

Massey, William H., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m.o. June 

■ orp. 
MoN'mht. Joeiah, Mason City, Aug. 27. 1802 ; m. o. June 
5, 1866. 



482 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



S . Topeka, Aug. 27, 1 
M'.rri-. Cbai I Aug. -J7, 1862; m o Jo 

N.-ikuk, K. T., Poreel lity, A ; prmtd. to 

ad Lieut 
I'l.ttuiKiii, .he., Havana. Aag. 27, 1862 ; DO Jut 

died. I"eb. 3, 
itraw, John, Havana, Aug 27, 1862; died Ja 
a Louisville, Kv. 
BlddJ 

kv 

m .. June 
Hhellibarger, A., i . o. June 6, 

Sbellibarger, J. w., Topeka, m. o. June 

Stone, Jami - \ . H "\i .. \ 12, 

Bhaw, M .- - lied Not. 17. 
Ht Louisrllle. 

in. By., !• i ■ ;. i - . in. o. Jane 

iborn, John, Topi ■ f«62j died U 

Thomas, Zimrl, Havana, m ". June 6, '65, 

n p 
Vanboi a, D. P., . m. o. June 

S, i- 
Weldman, 8., Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o. JuneS 
' 'I 1 
• i , u i! , Hi', i in. p. Jane 

Whitakei -i II., topeka, Aug. 27. 1862; m.o. Jon 

Henry, Topeka, Aug. 27, 1862; m. o.Jun ■ 5 1866. 
it John B., II. o. hi atd to A < 1 j t . 

Zentmire, David, Mason ' ity, ^ng. -'. 1862, m. ". Jane 

, Hanito, Kv 
BTille, Ti-iin. 



ONE BUNDRED AM' KhillTH 
INFANTRY. 

The < Ine Hundred and Eighth Infantry was 
nixed at Camp Peoria on the 27th of 
-t. 1862. 

October 6, the regiment moved by rail to 
Covington, Ky.. via Logansport, Indianapolis 
and Cincinnati, arriving at Covington on the 
8th. 

The regiment drew equipage and transpor- 
tation, and mi the 17th. marched with the 
division into the interior of the State, follow- 
ing the retreating enemy through Falmouth, 
Cynthia, Paris and Lexington to Nicholasville, 
arriving on the Is! of November, and remain- 
ing to the 1 1th. 

The regiment, November 11. tnarohed for 
Louisville via \ ersailles, Frankfort and Shel- 
byvillc, reaching Louisville on the L9th, and, 
nn the 21st, embarked for Memphis, where it 
arrived <m the 26th, and went into camp near 
ity. 

The regiment remained on duty at Memphis 

until the 20th of I' mber, when it embarked, 

under Gen. Sherman, in an expedition against 
Vioksburg. They proceeded down the river 
tu tin- mouth of the Yazoo, and up that river 
to Johnson's Landing, near Chickasaw Bluff, 
where the regiment encamped on the night of 
28th iif December. <>n the morning of the 
29th, the division moved upon the enemy, who 
were found strongly intrenched on the i 4 1 1 1 tTs 
running northeast from Vicksburg. Here the 
One Hundred and Eighth first met the enemy, 
occupying the extreme li'.'iii of the Dnion 



and resting on the Mississippi River with its 
right. The skirmishing began on the after- 
noon i>f the 29th, and the battle was renewed 
"ii the morning of the 30th. The forces in 
front of the One Hundred and Eighth were 
forced to retire with a loss of seven killed and 
four captured prisoners by the regiment. 

On the 1st of January, 1863, the (>ne Hun- 
dred and Eighth again went to the front, and 
remained on the Bkirmish line until midnight, 
when, at the time the clock in Vicksburg 
struck the hour of 1, the regiment, in compli- 
ance with previous orders, silently withdrew, 
covering the retreat of the army, and, on the 
morning of the 2d, embarked on trans] 

The lines of the armies were - 
gether that the voices of the opp 
could be distinctly heard, yet the retreal 
so well planned and executed that the enemy 
knew nothing of it until the fleet went steam 
nig down the Y • 

The fleet passed down the Yazoo and up the 
Mississippi to the mouth of White River, and 
Up that river, through a cut off, intn the Ar- 
kansas t,, Arkansas Post, where, "ti the l"th 
id' January, the regiment disembarked and par- 
ticipated in the invest men! of that fort, and, 
on the following day. bore an active part in 
that most brilliant and successful engagement, 
which resulted in the capture of the fort with 
some five thousand prisoners. 

li.- cansalties in the One Hundred and 
Eighth during this engagement were 13 men 
wounded. On the 17th of January, the fleet 
again moved down Btream to Young's Point, 
opposite Vicksburg, where the Twenty-fourth 
regiment went into camp. The long confine- 
ment on tin' transports iu this expedition, t lie 
want of pure air and sanitary conveniei 
cost the regiment more lives than all other 
see during its term of service. One "tlicer, 

I'hilo \V. Hill First Lieutenant ofC pony A. 

and 184 men. died during the month- ol I 
ruary and March. On the l">th of April, the 
regiment marched with the army across the 
country via Richmond, Smith's Plantation and 
along Lake St, Joseph to Hard Times, landing 
on the Mississippi opposite Grand Gulf; 
thence along the levee to Brandensburg, arriv- 
ing there on the 29th of April. The next day 
the regiment crossed the Mississippi on board 
the iron-clad gun-boat Lafayette, which had 
run the batteries of Vicksburg and Grand Gulf. 
On the morning of May 1, the regiment 
man bed rapidly on to the battlefield of Port 
Gibson and took its position, lighting and 
marching all lay without eating 
Vt'tor a tedious march, the regiment reached 
Champion Mills, on the 16th, and 
engaged in battle an 1 again drove the enemy 
from the fleld. <tn the lTili. the regimen) 

•Med to the duty of taking charge of the 
prisoners, and marching with them to Black 
River Bridge, where it was joined by the 
nty-Third Iowa, with another lot of prison- 
er-, making in all 1,600 On the 19th, it 
i - Bluff, on the 1 th« 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



483 



next day embarked for Young's Point and went' 
into camp, where it had left five months before. 
On the 25th, the regiment embarked with the 
prisoners for Memphis, and, delivering them 
to the command there, returned to Young's 
Point and there remained on duty until the 
surrender of Vicksburg. 

On the 18th of July, the regiment crossed 
over into Vicksburg and reported in Gen. Mc- 
Pherson, and. mi the 26th, embarked for Mem- 
phis, reporting to Gen. Hurlbut on the 20th, 
and, on the 5th of August, went to ha (Jrange 
and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second 
Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. On the 28th 
of October, the regiment marched to Poca- 
hontas and garrisoned that post until the 9th 
of November, Col. Turner commanding the 
post. 

On the 9th of November, the regiment moved 
to Corinth and remained on duty until the 
place was evacuated on the 28th of January, 
1864, when it proceeded to Memphis. 

On the 2d of June, 130 men of the regiment 
went with Gen. Sturgis' command in pursuit 
of (Jen. Forrest and overtook his forces and 
had an engagement on the 10th of June. 

On the 21st of August, 1 804, when Forrest 
made his famous raid into Memphis, the One 
Hundred and Eighth did good service in 
compelling him to make a hasty retreat. 

On the 28th of February, 1865, the regiment 
left Memphis for New Orleans, where it joined 
the Sixteenth Army Corps, in command of 
Gen. A. J. Smith, and was assigned to the 
Third Brigade, Col. Turner in Command. 

On the 12th of March, the regiment em- 
barked on board the ocean steamer Guiding 
Star for Fort Gaines, on Dauphine Island, 
which point was reached on the 16th. On the 
21st of March, the regiment embarked and 
proceeded up Mobile Bay and Fish River to 
Donly's Mills, about twenty-five miles from its 
mouth. On the 25th it marched with the 
corps in the direction of Mobile, and, on the 
27th, the enemy was met and driven within 
his works at Spanish Fort. Heavy fighting 
continued all day and in the night siege work 
began and continued night and day under a 
constant fire from sharp-shooters stationed 
behind the enemy's works. The One Hundred 
and Eighth occupied the dangerous point at the 
extreme right of the Union lines, where it was 
supposed the enemy would attempt to turn this 
flank. The siege of this stronghold lasted 
thirteen days and was brought to a close on 
the 8th of April, when tiie Third Brigade, to 
which this regiment belonged, charged the 
enemy's works from the works which this 
regiment had constructed and pushed two 
hundred yards nearer the enemy than any 
other point on the line. The casualties of 
the One Hundred and Eighth during the siege 
and assault were one officer, ('apt. W. W. Bul- 
lock, severely wounded, three men killed and 
ten wounded. 

On the '.'tli of April, the regiment marched 
with the Sixteenth Corps to Montgomery, Ala., 



which place was reached on the 25th. Here 
it remained until the L8th of July on pro 
duty. Col. Turner in command of the brigade 
and also of the post. 

On the 18th of. Inly, the regiment embarked 
on boat for Selmft, thence by rail to Jackson, 
Miss., via Demopolis and Meridian, and from 
thence by rail to Vicksburg, on its way to 
the homes from which the men had been absent 
for three long years of bloody war. 

On the 5th of August, 1865, the muster-out 
rolls were signed and the regiment embarked 
for Cairo, and from there proceeded by rail 
to Chicago, where it was paid <»rF and dis- 
charged from service on the 1 lth day of August, 
1865. 

Company A. 

Musician Jas. Silbee, Bath, A ug. 28, 1 862 ; in .... Aug. 5, 1 Sift. 

Company C. 

Morganstarn , L., Spring Lake, e. Sept 20, 1864 ; m. o. Aug. 

">, 1865. 
McFadden, Win., Spring Lake, e. Sept. 20, 18G4; m. o. 

Aug. 5, 18G5. 
Boss, John, Spring Lake, e. Sept. 20, 1864; m. o. Aug. 

5, 1865. 

Company D. 

Lombard, Augustus, Spring Lake, Sept. 23, 1864; ni. 0. 

Aug. 5, 1865. 
Woods, James, Spring Lake, Sept. 20, 1864; m. o. Aug. 

5, 1865. 

Company F. 

Capt. Isaac Sarf, Lynchburg, Aug. 28,1862; read. April 

6, 1863. 

Capt. John H. Schulte, Bath, April 6, 1863; read. Feb 

16, 1865. 
First Lieut. James Tippett. Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862 

read. Feb. 16, 1863. 
First Lieut. John H. Schulte, Bath, Feb. 21, 1863 

prmtd. 
Second Lieut. John II. Schulte, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862 

prmtd. 
First Sergt, John Eveland, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; trans 

to Inv. Corps Feb. 15, 1 
Sergt. Charles Lippett, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; disd 

April 17, 1865. 
Sergt. S. T. Northcroft, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; deserted 

Sept. 20, 1862. 
Corp. George W. Patterson, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; deserted 

Sept 20, 1862 
Corp. W. P. Markland, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; m. o. Aug. 5, 

1866, as Sergt. 
Corp. Robert Moore, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; died Feb. 

23, 1863, at Young's Point. 
Corp. Richard Bradsnaw, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; m. 

o. Aug. 5, 1865, as Sergt. 
Corp. Win. E. Sarff, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; disd. April 

7, 1863. 

Corp. James Butler, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; disd. April 1, 

1863. 
Corp. Benjamin Dodson. Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; in. o. 

.Inly 28, 1865, as Sergt. 
Corp. Hezekiafa Lynch, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; deserted 

Oct. 5, 1862. 
Musician Guatave Juzi, Lynchburg, Aug. Js, 1S62; disd. 

Oct. 27, 1862, at Covington. 
Musician Thos. D. Qatton, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; deserted 

Sept. 'J-', I - 
Wagoner Thomas Porter, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; m. 

o. Aug. 5, 1865. 
Armlt, Peter, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; ru. o. Aug. 5, 

1865. 
Adkins, Isaac N'., Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; died Dec. 13, 1862, 

at Memphis. 
Brandt, Peter, Bath, Aug. 28, 1882; died Jan. 19, 1863. 
Butler, Richard, Bath i March 4, 1864, 

at Memphis. 



484 



III8T0RY <>F MASON COUNTY. 



Boyd. M. \V.. Bath, Auk 28, 1862; trans. I Co. B 

o, J. I'.. Bath, An. -■ '•. at j 

Bt Lonia. 
('.-.in i ■. Hi ad Lynchburg, log. 28, 1862; dis.l H 

• thin. Bath, " 1x63. 

i; . Bath lug -- 1862 ; m. o. Ang. 5, 
Dew, Wiley, Bath, a 

runes, Bath 2 ; died Feb. 3, 1863, al 

nit. 
Krank. Matthew, Bath, Aug. 28, 1862; m. ... Aug. ! 

Be] t. 

Gobble, George, Lynchburg, Auk 28, 1*62; died Oct. 10, 

l.nii. 
(irifliu, WilliaiB, Bath, a deserted Jan 

HandltoD, 'I b imas, Lynchburg, 
Point 

Uiiflimin. William. Bath, Auk : Jan. 

Baxahi r, John, Lynchburg, Ana m. o. Aug. 5, 

Haraber, Undraw, Lynchburg, Ang. 28 p.; ab- 

aent tick at m. o. 
II, ui. Lonia, Bath, Aug. 18, 1862; m. o. Ang. 5, 1866, aa 

priaoner of wax. 
Balllday, M. J., Lynchburg, Aug. 28, If 1 Oct. 

Johnson, Etdward, Bath, a - deserted Oct. 29, 

1862 
Knight, F. S.. Bath, Auk. 28, 1862; died May 4. 181 

Port, Tex. 

K.i. bean, ll . Harana, \ . 1863, 

Kt Tonng'i i 
Samuel <'.. Lynchburg, S m. ... Ang. 

j 
u ion, Abner, Bath, Aug. 28 I lick al m. ... 

lied K.i. 1. • 
\ mi. 1.1. Hath, Auk. 28, 1862; m. o. Aug. 5. 

Perry, Jamea EL, Lynchburg, A died March 

12, 1864, al St. Louis. 
Piers achburg, Ang. 28, 1862; absent tick at 

in !■. 
Kav. Bolls, Bath, Ang. 28, 1862; deserted Aug. 28, 1862 
Redman, Ellas, Lynchburg, Aug. 28, 1862; died i 

1863, in Soung'i Point 
Rampeon, Bruno, Lynchburg, \ m. ... Aug. 

■ r >. i- 
Kurd.-- - - Bath \i- 28,1862; didn't go with the 

DO) - 

Sum ; died Jan. 

19, i 
Barf, Abner, Lynchburg, Auk. 28, 1862 m o. Aug. 6, 

Bath, Aug 
Smith, ll.-ury. Batl U . 

John, Li M. fa ' ' iick at m. ... 

I i 

Va'tillim. ulii. D . I died !"■ b. 

P .int. 
Warren, Wright, Hath, Auk '•>. I *•'■-; absent sirk at 

m .. 
u d, Win . Batl 

Wright, Wnv, Lynchbu \ lied Feb. 16, 

ung'i Point 



• 1 , in. O. Aug. 



Company H. 
Oapt w in H I'.iii.t - ii. Aug. 

First l.i 

signed Dei 11,11 
Second Llenl Wm. w Nelson, Hath. Aug 

Firs) BV rgl Bamm 1 Bl 
s, rgt w illiiiu. Little - 

•\ 1 - 
Bargt Edwin Smith, B ■ o. Aug. 

- rgt 
Bargt Ui.iu- B. Boa 

Mai. I. 



1862; diad. Aug. 
16, 

1, 1- 
Corp. Edwin Dillon, San J .l.sent »ick 

D. ii. 

: 362 ; in. .1. Aug. 

Corp. John Orm, Sun Jose, Aug. 28,1862; died Feb. 20, 
Point 

th, Aug. 28, 1862 ; died. March 
24, U 
Musician John Badcllff, Batb.Ai . M.irch 

24, It 
Wagoner Jas I' H - m. o. 

Black, dint. .n, Crane <'reek, Aug. 2f -rted 

Ana 

iose, Aug. 28, 1862; deserted Aug 

Boyer, Em., Ban Jose, Aug. 28,*62; deserted Aug 

Brown, Jacob, Ban Jose, Aug. 12, I 

Boyd, Morris V . Bath, Aug 12,1862; ra. o. A 

Buchanan, J. II. H - lug. 12, 1862; died Fi 

Point 
Cook, Wm. P . Ban Jose, Aug. 12, 1862;died Feb. 18, I 

ang ■ Point 
Comes furd. M , San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; prtntd to Lieut 
Dorrs Aug. 12, 1862 ; deserted £ 

Darin .1 .In. Auk. 12, 1862; died Jan. 13, 

Elmore, Bedding, Crane Creek, Ang. 12,1862; d rted 

K.I.. 1 
Frey, Ulrich, Ban Joe., Aug. 12,1862; deserted Oct 16, 

Kurd, John, San Jose, Auk- 12, :- 

led Feb. 13, 
ong'a Point 
Gartner, Leonard, Prairie Creek, Aug serted 

in Bept, l- 
Hutchinson -■•. Aug. 12, i- • In*. 

Ilillinim, J. i'. Ban Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; died Jan. 31, 

Jones, John «'.. Bath, Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Jan. 19, 

Kidder, z. n.. San Jose, Aug. 12, 181 

Keitlng, Pal lug. 12, 1862; m. ... Aug. 5, 

12, 1862 in o Vug. 5, 

Lucas, Alfred, Hath, Aug. 12, 1862; died 
. John, Jr.. - 

6, !• 

John, Sr . San Jose, Aug 12, 1862; died Jul; 

Martin. J. \ died July 29,1868, 

ut St I 
M • .it iv. Michael • i. -serted Dec 

18,1* 
McNaughton, Goo., Ban Jose, lug 12, 1862; m. o. Aug. 

I -. tug 12,1 62; disd. for disability 

Orm, K. M., Prairie Oroak, Auk- 12, 1862; dlsd. Jn 

Pounds, Thomas, Bath, Aug. 12, 1862 ; desei 

w .Crane I reek, Aug 12, 1862; disd March 

7. I- 

\ ig. 12, 1862; prmtd. I'rinciual 

Tutt.ii, Daniel, Ban Jose, An \ug o, 

Xylei i v. disd. for disability 

May II 
rontm, Abraham - 

i;i;. Bl li > 

Oampl ■ ii. M a . Bprini ; i '■> "■ Jul J 

l. i- 
Cfaariea, John, Spring Laki Sspl -1.1864. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



4 SO 



ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR- 
TEENTH INFANTRY. 
Company D. 

RECRUITS. 

Holmes. Samuel. Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864; m. o. Aug. 

5, 1865. 

Nale. William, Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864; m. o. Aug. 

5, 1865. 
O'Conor, Peter, Sfffing Lake, Sept. 22, 1864; m. o. Aug. 5, 

1865. 
Thompson, J. \V., Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864 : m. o. Aug. 

6, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- 
THIRD INFANTRY. 

(One Hundred Days.) 

Company C. 

Daskin, R. B., Mason City, April 27, 1864. 
Hewett, S. P., Havana, May 10, 1804. 



ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- 
NLNTH INFANTRY. 

(One Hundred Days.) 

Company I. 

Capt. W. H. Caldwell, Havana, June 1, 1864, m.o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
First Lieut. Frank A. Moseley, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. 

Oct. 28, 1864. 
Second Lieut. John B. Brush, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; in. o. 

Oct. 28, 1864. 
First Sergt. W. H. Patterson, Bath, June 1, 1864; m.o. 

Oct. 28, 1864. 
Sergt. John Cogshall, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Sergt. James R. Teney, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 

28, 1864. 
Sergt. 0. W. Clotfelter, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Sergt. Wm. A. Martin, Havana, June 1, 1804; m. o. Oct. 

28, 1864. 
Corp. John Nix, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Corp. C. E. Hitchcock, Havana, June 1,1864; m.o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Corp. Henry Wilkins, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Corp. C. S. Chambers, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; in. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Corp. James H. Daniels, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 
1864. 
' Corp. Thomas H. Johns, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; in. o. Oct. 
28 1864 
Corp. Charles A. Gore, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Corp. Oscar H. Harpham, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 

28, 1864. 
Musician Wm. H. O'Riley, Havana, June 1,1864; m.o. 

Oct. 28, L864. 
Musician Ed. A. Schemerhorn, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. 

o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Wagoner John II. Sherwood, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. 

Oct. 28, 1864 
Atkin, Andrew J., Havana, June 1, 1864; m.o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
['...were, J. T., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Brandt, Otto, Havana, June 1, 1861 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Bubert, Henry, Havana, Jane 1, 1864; died at Cairo. 
Clarkson, John L., Bath, June 1, 18K4 ; m.o. Oct. 28,1864. 
Carman, John I.., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Clotfelter, Charles, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, *64. 
Cross, Geo. W., Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. • >. Oci 28, 1864. 
Cogshall, Charles, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m.o Oct 28, 1864. 
Cress, N. R,, Havana. .Tune I, 1864 ; in ... Oct 28, 1864. 
Deverman, II. G., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Duvall, Simpson, Havana, June 1.1864; m. o. < >< 
1864. 



Dew, James, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Donlin, James C, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Earl, Geo. B., Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. t>. I ' I 28, 
England, Azariah, Havana, .Inn.. 1, 1864; m 

1864. 
England, Isaac W„ Havana, June 1 1864 ; ni. >. Oct 28. 

1864. 
Grant, Charles C, Havana, June 1, 1864; m.o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Griggs, Matthew, Bath. June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Hardin. William 0., Bath, June 1, 1861 ; m.o. Oct. 28, '64. 
Hill, Mark D., Bath, June 1, 1864; in o. Oct 28, 1864. 
Halliday, Geo. 8., Bath, Jane 1,1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864 
Hollingsworth, A. B.. Bath, June 1, 1864; in. o. Oct. 28 

1864. 
Jones, Richard, Havana, June 1. 1864 ; in. n. Oct. 28, 1H«V4. 
Judson, W. H. H., Havana, June 1,1864; m. 0. Oct 28, 

1864. 
Krafts, August, Havana, June 1,1864; m. O. Oct. 28, '64. 
Kirk, James, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28,1864. 
Knight, Thomas, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; in. ... Oct. 28, 1864. 
Lacy, Robert, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m.O. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Littell, Nathaniel, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Lisco, James, Havana, June 1 1864; in. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Martin, Godfrev, Havana, June 1, 1864: ni. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Martin, John M., Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Moore, J. P.. Havana, June 1, 1864; ni. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Nichols, C. A.. Havana, June 1, 1864 : m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
O'Leary, George D, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. 
Parkhurst, Geo. A., Havana, June 1, 1804; m. o. Oct. 

js, 1864 
Pegram, Hardin, Bath, June 1, 1864 : in. O.Oct. 28, 1864. 
I'esterfield, John W., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

lsr,4. 
Pounds, Henry, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. 
Ruckman, Lemuel, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Rupert, W. H., Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Shultz. George M., Havana. June 1, 1S64; m. o. Oct. 28, 

1864. 
Shultz, James M., Havana, June 1,1861; m. O. 

1864. 
Sisson, Marcus, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Smith, Irving, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864 
Toland, P. A., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28,1864. 
Tolly, Walter, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Thompson, N E., Bath, June 1. lsf,4; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Walker. W. H.. Havana, June 1,1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 
Wente, Fred., Topeka, June 1, 1864 : m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. 

RECR11TS. 

Shay. Martin, Mason Co., June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. 
Stillman, H. J. B., Mason Co., June 1,1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 
1864. 



ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY- 
FIFTH INFANTRY. 

(One Hundred Days 

Company H. 

Earnett, John, Mason Citv, June 9, 1864: m o. Bept 

23, 1864. 
Griffith, John M., Mason City, June 9, 1864; m. .>. Sept 

•j:i, 1864. 
Herwig, Jacob, Mason City, June 9, 1864; ni. o. Sept. 

23, 1864. 
Newberry, George, Mason City, June 9, 1864 ; m. ■>. Sept. 

23, 1864. 



ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY- 
EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

(One Year.) 

Company C. 

Corp. A. .1. Roberts, Manito, Feb. B, 1866 ; absent at in. o. 
Barnes, John, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; ni. o. > 
Boone, W. C, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. 
Douden, John, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. 



486 



HISTORY OF M &.80N COUNTY. 



Donden, Beese, K anit 5,1865. 

Pollard, Win., Hanil m. o. Bepl 

Porter, C. II.. Maoito I 

Pollard, B. P., Hanil 

Pendleton, •'., Mam; rted. 

Reynolds, II I 

Smith, <;.. Hanito, I 

White, O. w., Hanito rch, 1866. 



ONE BUNDRED AM' FIFTY- 
FIRST [NFANTRY. 

Company B. 



Renkins, John B , il ivana, Peb. i s 
Bbngart, John, ll ivana, Peb. 1 1 



ONE BUNDRED AND FIFTY- 
SECOND INFANTRY. 

V. .ir. 

Company A. 

RKI'lll IT-. 

: (lied at Jeffer- 
i Ilia. 
Usher, J. II. B.. Baston, Peb. 7. 1865; died at home. 



The regimental history of other regiments in 
which the Boldier." of Mason County served 
would be cheerfully given, but there is no) 
room in i In' book for all ; nor have we the nec- 
. time i" devote to the work. Bo far us 
we have gone, it is believed that a true and 
reliable histor . such as may be 

handed down to posterity with confidence in 
general correctness and completeness. Of 
course, there may be Bome errors in names, 
which will always occur among so many. 

Justice and impartiality has been aimed at, 
and i) there is any failure, it is not from any 
prejudice or partiality. The good name and 
reputation, as well as the welfare of every 
Dnion Boldier in the great army of volunti 
are dearly enshrined in the memory of the 
writer, who BO long shared in their hardships, 
then nd their triumphs. It IS the 

campaigning and the battlefield thai make 

men feel near an i dear i" each other. The 
burly Dutchman, the wild Irishman, and all 
nationalities, mingle together in battle and in 
death and an- ever bound together in one com- 
mon brotherhood 



ILLINOIS NATI<»\\I. GUARDS 

The 8eventh Regiment of Illinois National 
Guards was organised august 17. 1-^77. with 
headquarfa Taylor, of 



Peoria, has command of the regiment. The 
Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment is J. 8. 
Kirk, of Havana. Major. • ». P. Crane, Sur- 
of Mason l ity. 

Two i ipanies of this regiment be 

Mason < ounty — one in Havana, and the other 
in Mason City. 



Company F, of Havana. 

'Am ll Webb. 
Lieut. J. 0. Tat 
i it. 8.1 Kyle. 
■ 
i ft, Hurdock, .li-.i. 
Second >■ rgl i w Patlon. 
B. K. tenant 
Poni ili Bergt C. N. W 
Fifth Bergt W. A. Brown. 

i p. !!■ hi \ M 
Second ' ioi ret . 

Third Corp. E C. Dearborn. 

Fuiirlh Oorp. II. K. BavighorSt 

Filth Corp. J. J. Parkhnrst 
Sixth Oorp. Charles PoUitz. 
Seventh <"i i Vf. I B decker. 
Eighth Corp. F. W. Blanchard 

W . I. K-li liam. 

in K 0. w ncadon. 
Privates.- QUea Atkins. .1. I'. atwater, John Barry, 
' ■ " ml. Valentine Ball, A v7. Beck 

John L. Carman (died in 1879 . William 
Davis, R. P. D W. H. Km 

\ I a PorcLGusI . Gartheffhi r.OI.Green- 

walt, 0. W. Billyer, \V. II. Billyer, [aaac M. BennJngaa, 
ningei, W. A. Benninger, Jndaon uaaii 
II. Boflher, W. 0. Boffher, J. 0. John- 
stone, Benry Kindorp, Prank Lally, M VV. I 
Prank Lewis, C B. Lury, Dan. McMahon \. W, Bastj, 
ii v - 1 1 i i arli - Paul, K \V. Paul, A. 
Q. 11. Prater, J P Prettyman, J. W B - J 

ili/ J ll. Schulte, Jr., Walter Spink, Jons 
Bchwenck, w. 8. Stout, B. A Thornbnrg. 



Company I, of Mason City. 

linos Trout. 
Pint Lieut, George B, Jackaon. 
Second Lieut. John P. Beffernan. 

_■ ; Qi II K.-rn. 

i ii J. PiUafbrd. 

Third Serge Barry C Thompson. 
Fourth S B. I lonstant 

Kit tli s irrey. 

Fir-t < ". .r | . John -I I 

- a Carson. 
Third i'"rp. Benry Kile. 
Fourth Corp. u iii. ll. Malone. 
Fifth Corp. Bamnel It. Spear 
Si\ih Corp. i lharlea M. Pat! 
Seventh Corp. Willard B. Lesoord. 
in Edward W, Poller. 

" 
tor, Brace, Chenowetl 
! Connelly, Bi 

Elijah M. Crafton, Benry Dallas, Ludwick Dai 

■.. John W. h rittej , W illi.ini 
in... Krirksman, Pram Ii M I udlan 
Mathers, James O'Brien, Win. J. Rutherford. .1 W. 

Unas flsmml 
Smith, I "I. I*""" 

\ Whitney, I 
■ Mi. 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



487 



CITIES AND VILLAGES IN MASON COUNTY. 



NAME OF PLACES. 



ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 



O. M. Ross 

John Kert on 

0. M. Rosa (obsolete) 

Rea & May (obsolete) 

Homes & Powell (obsolete 

Yates, Straul and others 

Conklin & Co 

Fnllerton & Cox 

Dillon, Morgan, Parker & Kidder. 



Havana 

Bath 

Moscow 

Lynchburg 

Matanzas 

Mason City 

Natrona 

Manito 

San Jose 

Saidora i J oseph Ad kins 

Topeka Thomas & Eckard 

Forest City [Dearborn & Kemp 

Peterville Peter Thornburg 

Bishop's H. Bishop 

Kilbourne J. B. Gum and others.... 

Long Branch I. M. Ruggies and B. H 

Sedan J. F. Kelsey 

Easton James M. Samuel 

Teheran Alexander Blunt 

Poplar City Martin Scott 

Biggs Paul G. Biggs 

Snicarte Mark A. Smith 



Gatton. 



Date of 


Popula- 


Survey. 


tion. 


1827 


2600 


1836 


800 


1836 




1837 




1839 




1857 


1600 


1857 


100 


1858 


450 


1858 


400 


1859 




1860 


250 


1862 


200 


1868 






50 


L870 


160 


1871 




1871 




1872 


200 


1873 


50 


1873 




1875 




1858 


50 



POLITICS OF MASON COUNTY. 

For many years, the political preponderance in the county was so evenly 
balanced between Whigs and Democrats that the personal popularity of the 
candidate usualty determined the result, and it may be said that the same con- 
dition still continues, as the present county offices are filled by five Democrats and 
four Republicans. 

At the first Presidential election, after the organization of Mason County, 
the great American statesman, Henry Clay, carried the county by one vote, 
over James K. Polk. From that time down to 1872, the Democratic majorities 
for President ranged from twelve to ninety-eight. At the last two elections, 
the majority has been largely increased. 

VOTES FOR PRESIDENT. 

1844— Clay, 255 ; Polk, 254. 1848— Taylor, 391 ; Cass, 403 ; Van 

Buren, 4. 1852— Scott, 561 ; Pierce, 624 ; Hale, 5. 1856— Fremont, ; 

Buchanan, ; Fillmore, . 1860 — Lincoln, 1198; Douglas, 1224. 

1864— Lincoln, 1155; McClellan, 1253. 1868— Grant, 1677; Seymour, 
1719. 1872— Grant, 1386 ; Greeley, 1584. 1876— Hayes, 1566; Tilden, 
1939; Cooper, 86. 

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN MASON COUNTY. 

It is said that when some pious adventurers from Spain landed on the coast 
of the Gulf of Mexico, the first object that attracted their attention was a gal- 
Iowa on which some mutinous explorer of another party had been hung ; the 



48S HIsloKY 01 MASON 0OUHTY. 

sight of flu- gallowe inspired their pious souls with joy, and they immediately 
knelt in prayer, thanking <iod "that their lot had been cast in a Christian land." 

If the gallows and the gibbet are evidences of Christianity, Mason County 
is a God- forsaken country, for within her borders no gallows has yet been 

ted and no person banged by order of any Court. Many murders and other 
high crimes have been committed in the county, for which the highest award of 
punishment has been a few years of labor in the Penitentiary. 

There was a dead man found hanging on a black-jack tree, near Forest City, 
some years ago, but no jury or court had anything to do with it. It was a 
clear case of a tree bearing the fruit that comes of a life of crime ! The eco- 
nomic idea- of the community seemed to justify the act, because the dead man 
had threatened the life of a good man living in the neighborhood, and was 

rving the death which came to him without expense to the comity ! 

In this respect the county has been managed too much in the interesl of 
economy — for there ought to have been at least a dozen pair of gallows paid for 
and used by the county since its organization. 

The people Beem to have ignored capital punishment and have bo far acted 
upon tin- theory that it is more merciful and less shocking to the sensibilities. 
to give life to human beings than to take it from them ! 

< >f all the murders and homicides in the county, we cannot call to mind a 
Bingle one that may not be traced to the intoxicating bowl that destroys the 
better nature of man and changes him into 8 maddened brute! 

This being the cause of crime may also furnish the reason for a failure of 
punishment. The average juryman cannot for the life of him determine 
whether it is the man who made the liquor, the man who sold it, or the victim 
who drank it and committed the crime, that should be punished. In the per- 
plexity of the case the man who commits the crime goes free, because the 
of the law i- not -harp enough to Bee who is the right one to punish. 

BBNEV0LEN I SOCIETIES l N M U90K C01 M'V. 

M kftONlC. 

The first Masonic Lodge in the county was opened in Havana, under dis- 
pen-atioii. in L849, and Leopold Steam- was the first to receive the Master 
Mason - degi 

Havana Lodge, No B8, A.. V. & A. M.. was chartered October v . li 

Old Time Lodge, No. 629, Havana, was chartered October 8, 1869, and 
msolidated with Havana Lodge, No. 38, February 11. 1 S 7T. 

Hivana Chapter, No. 86, Royal Arch Masons, at Havana: date of dispen- 
sation, August 8, 1865; chartered October, l s »>".. Havana Chapter joins with 
Havana Lodge, N 38, in the construction of Masonic Hall, now building — 
September, 1- 

Havana Council, No. 10, Royal and Select Masters, al Havana: date 
dispensation, December 12, l v -'.7 ; chartered at the meeting of the Grand 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 489 

Council in October, 1868 ; merged into the Havana Chapter, No. 86, by action 
of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council consolidating into a Grand Chapter, 
in October, 1877. 

Damascus Commandery, No. 42, at Havana; date of dispensation, February 
10, 1872 ; chartered October 22, 1872. 

Bath Lodge, No. 494. A., F. & A. M. ; chartered in October, 1866, at 
Bath. 

Mason City Lodge, No. 403, A., F. & A. M., at Mason City ; chartered 
in January, 1864. 

Manito Lodge, No. 476, A., F. & A. M., Manito ; chartered October 3, 
1866. 

San Jose Lodge, No. 645, A., F. & A. M., San Jose ; chartered October 
4, 1870. 

For a more complete account of the benevolent Orders (Masonic and Odd 
Fellows), in Mason County, the reader is referred to the local history of the 
towns in which they are located. 

We cannot fail to mention the splendid Masonic Hall now in course of 
erection on the north side of Main street, Havana. It will be an institution of 
which all the Masonic fraternity may justly be proud. 

ODD FELLOWS. 

Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. 0. 0. F., Havana; instituted April 4, 1854. 

State Encampment, No. 34, I. 0. 0. F., Havana; instituted May 1, 
1856. 

Bath Lodge, No. 185, I. O. 0. F., Bath ; instituted in 1849. 

Mason City Lodge, No. 337, I. 0. 0. F., Mason City ; instituted in 1866. 

Mason City Encampment, No. 175, I. 0. 0. F., Mason City ; instituted 
in 1876. 

San Jose Lodge, No. 380, I. 0. 0. F., San Jose; instituted October 12, 
1869. 

Valley Encampment, No. 120, I. 0. 0. F, San Jose; instituted October 
10, 187L 

OBDSB OF PKITIDS. 

Havana Grove, No. 140, V. A. 0. D., in Havana; organized May 13, 
1S"4. They have a hall on the corner of Main and Plum streets. 

POOR FARM. 

Mason County is the owner of a Poor Farm of 160 acres : the northeast 
quarter of Section 32, Township 21, I!ange6, near the embryo city of Teheran. 
Although it is called the "poor farm.'' it is in fact very rich in the quality of 
its soil, and the many advantages of location it possesses. It furnishes a very 
healthy, comfortable and desirable home for all the unfortunates who cannot 
have a home of their, own, and is an institution that >:<>es to the credit of the 
people who pay the yearly taxes to keep it up. 



490 HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 

- \M' P081 M \- 1 : 

Havana, established in 1829, < ». C. Easton, Postmaster; Rath. 1842, r. 
I!. Lindsey; blason City, L858, J. S. Baner; Maoito, 1860, J. Rosier; Topeka, 
I860, .1. F. Rule: Foresl City, 1864, A.Cross: Saidora, 1868, John Adkins; 

Snicarte, ; Bishops', ; San Jose, 1860, Albert McAllister; Natrona, 

I860, Richard Williams; Kilbourne, 1872, C. L. Newell; Long Branch, 1- 
diseontinned ; Easton, 1878, E. Ferrell ; Poplar City, 1873, S. A. Poland; 
. William Buchanan; Teheran, L874, W. S. Rich. 

There have been posl offices at Lease's Grove, Quiver, ('ram- Creek and 
Field's Prairie, but they have long Bince been discontinued. 

BDl CATIONAL. 

When our forefathers declared, in the ordinance of 1787, that know! 
with religion and morality, "was necessary to the good government and happi- 
ness of mankind.'' and that "schools and the means of education should for* 
ever be encouraged," they -iiL r '_ r e-ted the bulwark of American liberty. The 
first free-school system in Illinois was adopted in \^-~>. and under th.it s\ - 
schools flourished in nearly every neighborhood in the State. 

In the year L824, { > »v. Coles urged, in his message to the Legislature, their 
attention to the Liberal donation of Congress in lands for educational purp 
asking thai they he treasured as a rich inheritance for future generations, ami 
at the same time making provisions for the support of Local school-. 

During the session of the Legislature, Hon. Joseph Duncan then a State 

itor and afterward Governor) introduced a hill, which was passed, with the 
following preamble, which shows a high appreciation of the subject at that 
early d ly : " To enjoy our rights and liberties, we must understand them : their 

rity ami protection ought to he the first objeel of a free people; ami 
a well established fact that no nation has ever continued Long in the enjoyment 
of civil and political freedom which was not both virtuous ami enlightened. 

And believing that the advancement id' literature always has been, and i 
will he. the mean- of more fully developing the rights of men — that the mind 

of every citizen in a republic is the common property of society, and consti- 
tutes the basis of its strength ami happiness — it is therefore considered the 
peculiar duty of m free government, like ours, to encourage and extend the 
improvement and cultivation of tin- intellectual energies of the whole people." 
In that law it was provided that common schools should he established, free 
and open to every class of white citizens I five ami twenty* 

one. and persons over that age might he admitted on such terms as the Tim 
should prescribe. Districts 'd not less than fifteen families were to he formed 

by the County Courts, upon petition of a majority of the voters thereof; offi- 
were to he elected, Bworn in and their duties were prescribed in detail. 
The Bystem was full and complete in all particular.-. The Legal vol 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 4 '. • 1 

empowered at the annual meetings to levy a tax, in money or merchantable 
produce at its cash value, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, subject to a 
maximum limitation of $10 to any one person. Aside from this tax, the best 
and most effective feature of the law — the stimulant of our present system — 
was an annual appropriation by the State of $2 out of every $100 received into 
the treasury, and the distribution of five-sixths of the interest arising from the 
school funds appropriated among the several counties, according to the number of 
white children under the age of twenty-one years, which sums were redistrib- 
uted by the counties among their respective districts, none participating therein 
where less than three months' school had been taught during the preceding 
year. 

Tn this law were foreshadowed some of the most valuable features of our 
present free-school system. It is evident, however, that the law of 1825 was 
in advance of public sentiment. The people preferred to pay the tuition fees 
or go without education for their children, rather than submit to taxation, not- 
withstanding the burthen fell heaviest upon the wealthier classes, who virtually 
paid for the schooling of their poor neighbors' children, and the law was so 
amended, in 1827, as to virtually nullify it, by providing that no person should 
be taxed for the support of any school, unless consent was first obtained in 
writing, and the 2 per cent, which was the life of the system, was also abol- 
ished. 

Such were the provisions of the first school laws of Illinois, and the virtual 
abolishment of the law of 1825 developed a crude system of schools that was 
continued nearly thirty years — under which system schools and schoolhouses 
were left to the local option of the neighborhood — some children having schools 
to go to and others no such privileges. 

The adoption of the free-school system, entered upon in 1855, marks the 
turning-point in the educational system of Illinois, and abolished forever the 
crude school laws before in force. 

The donation by Congress of the sixteenth section in every township (or, 
when sold, lands equivalent therefor), for the use of the inhabitants of the 
township for school purposes, amounted to over 998,000 acres of land in the 
State, and, had these lands been properly managed, they would have produced 
a school fund that would have done away with local taxation for school pur- 

The Legislature of 1854 took the iirst step in the right direction, by enact- 
in a law separating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction from the 
office of Secretary of State, and creating a separate educational department of 
the government. Under this law, Gov. Matteson appointed Bon. Ninian \V. 
Edwards State Superintendent of Common Schools. In January following, lie. 
submitted to the General Assembly a full report upon the condition of the pub- 
lic schools throughout the State, urged the education of the children of the 
State at the public expense, and presented a bill for a complete system of free 



402 BISTORT OF MA80N COUNTT. 

schools, which, with some changes, became a law. The act was passed on the 
15th of February, L855, and embraced all the essential features of the law now 
in foi 

• questionable whether any other State in the Union has a better educaJ 
tional Bystem than thai developed in [llinois during the pasl twenty-five y< 
It is well adapted to the want- and conditions of the people, and fully up to the 
spirit of the age in which we live. It is within that period that all the sch 
and Bohoolhouses have been established in Nfason County that amount to any- 
thing worthy of being proud of. The writer of this is gratified with the reflec- 
tion that, as a member of the State Senate, he helped to pass the laws which 
inaugurated the free-school Bystem of Illinois, notwithstanding the abuse that 

Was heaped upon him for doing it by those who could not see or appreciate the 

beneficence of the bj Btem. 

There i- yet an advance Btep to be made to complete the Bystem, and that 
,s the adoption of the compulsory feature. Parents who will not voluntarily 
.-end their children to Bchool should he made to do s,, by tin- mandates of the 
law: ami the time is near at hand when it will be so enacted, and when every 
child in Illinois shall have the benefit of at least a rudimentary education. 

Those wfi<> arc especially jealous of their rights oppose compulsory educa- 
tion on account of its interference with their precious liberty, not think- 
ing that the law which compels them to pay taxes, work roads, Berve on juries. 
do military duty and many other disagreeable things, is just as much of an 
entrenchment upon their liberty t . . do as they please a- it would be to compel 
them to send their children to Bchool : besides, the liberty to bring up children 
in ignorance aid vice is one of those things that ought to be interfered with 
and presented if possible. 

•vciinneiit that depends upon the intelligence of the people for its 
existence must use the necessary means to compel the education of the mai 
or u r " t" destruction. 

The way to carry out the grand idea in the Declaration of Independent — 

to make all men tree and equal — is to do it through universal education. The 

unlettered man can not he the equal "I" the educated man, tor can he have a 
free and fair race in the pursuit <>f happiness, handicapped by ignorance. 

\ >ther step, which is to 1) • a tremendous stride in the direction of univer- 
sa] and cheap education, is yet to be made. It is the simplification of die uses 
of letters in Bpelling aid forming words, so that tUe English language ma 

rapidly and cheaply learned by children and those of other tongues. This 

great reform has long been advocated by wise and thoughtful men. ami is now 
actively inaugurated. There is a class of professional educators who wish to 
make a monopoly of their profession by making our language bo hard to barn 

that it tal 3 of labor and mints of i icy to acquire it ; but this c 

must in time give way t<> wiser ami better men. Many of the nonsensical, use- 
wicked and fraudulent letters that have marred our beautiful language and 













_\ 








0£C^u^/. S#tftf&*c&c£ai' 



HAVANA 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 495 

made it a stumbling-block to children and foreigners, have already been dropped 
out of the places they have wrongfully occupied in hard and crooked words. 
that cost so much to learn. 

When the English language becomes purified and made plain and easy to 
learn, it will become the universal language of the world. 

The Church in the past ages assumed to be the special patron of education, 
and, as a part of that education, the religious dogmas of the day were engrafted 
upon the untutored infant mind, the cunning priest well understanding that 
"just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." 

That time has passed by with us, thanks to the liberty-loving intelligence of 
our people. We have lived to see 

" The Church and State, that long had held 
Unholy intercourse, now divorced. 
She who, on the breast of civil power, 
Had long reposed her harlot head, 
(The Church <i harlot when she wedded civil power, i 
And drank the blood of martyred saints; 
Whose priests were lords ; 
Whose cofl'ers held the gold of every land ; 
Who held a cup, of all pollutions full ! " 

There are school edifices in Havana, Bath, Mason City and Easton thai 
are justly the pride of the people of their respective localities. 

The Havana Schoolhouse was built in 1875, at a cost of $30,000. Mr, 
Thomas W. Catlin, a graduate of Yale College, has held the position of Super- 
intendent of Havana schools for the past two years, with general satisfaction. 
The present efficient School Board consists of Capt. Jacob Wheeler, J. R. 
Foster and H. W. Lindly. 

With the following statistics which we have obtained from Mr. Badger, 
County Superintendent of Schools, we close the chapter ort education. 

No. of school districts in .Mason County 95 

No. of schoolhouses in the county 

Brick houses, 5; frame, 92; log, 1. 

No. of High Schools in the county 2 

No. of graded schools 4 

No. of ungraded schools 91 

No. of males under twenty-one years of age 4,368 

No. of females under twenty-one years of age 4,080 

Total 

NO. of niah- between six and twenty-one years of age 2,865 

No. of females between six and twenty-one years of age 2,757 

Total No between six and twenty one "j/.-J-J 

No. of male pupils enrolled 2,217 

No. of female pupils enrolled 2,070 

Total enrolled pupils 

No. of male teachers 64 

No. of female teachers 7"> 

Total No. of teachers 139 

B 



496 HISTORY OP MASON OOUHTT. 

of months taught by main 

months taught by females 

of months taught 

Whole No. of months "f school 

Irerage No. of months of school ~~- 

No. of months taught in grade 1 schools 212 

N of niontlis taught in ungrade 1 schools 621.6 

A\' I male teachers I H -\ 

\.' es paid female teachers : --l I 

Total amount paid male teachers 16,16< 

tl amount paid female teachers 15,176 7 1 

.! amount i >: i i ■ 1 U 80,842 00 

Amount ]>:ii'l for fuel and ''iises 8,71 

42 

Ainouiit of Bchool fund received during the year 61 

.'. expenditures for the ye:ir ending June 80, l s 7'.' 4', In' 

school fund on hand 20,017 

Value of school property in county 105,776 00 

- between twelve and twenty-one years, unable i>> read 
and write '■' 

BUNDA1 SCHOOLS. 

The Sunday-school work in Mason County has been immensely <1<\ doped 
within the pasl Pen years, and is a valuable auxiliary to educational inter* 

The number of Sunday schools in the county, at the present time, is 15; 
number of teachers, 384 ; Dumber of officers, l s l ; number of scholars, 3,483, 
making a total membership of 1,018. 

Thr number of volumes in the Sunday-school libraries, is 997, and the 
number of Sunday-school papers in circulation is 3,792. The amount of 
money raised for Sunday work, during the past year, is $1,043. 38, a 
small sum compared with the good work that has been done. 

RBLIGIOUE HISTORY. 

The Bound of the Gospel, as also the howling of the wolf, were among the 
loud noises heard in the wilds of Mason County by the early settler. Tht 
pioneer minister imagined himself a second John "crying in the wildernt 
and, in humble imitation, he not only cried but howled before bis congregation, 
gathered in the woods for want of bouse- to worship in. 

One of this class of preachers was old Moses Kay — ;i forty-gallon Baptist 
minister of the olden tune. In one .,1' bis hl.iek-jaek Bermons he was laboring 
to reconcile and harmonize the doctrine of election and fore-ordination, and the 

Iness, justice and mercy of God with the freewill and free Balvation of 
man. As he waded into the depth- of bis discourse, it soon dawned upon bi* 
bewildered mind that the arguments being used were illogical and contradic- 
tory, and, becoming dumbfounded, he called a halt of some moments of pro- 
found depression in the midst of his discourse, and then began talking to 
himself, as it were, and soliloquised thusly : " Be keerful, old man Kay — be 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 497 

keerful ; you are getting in deep water, and had better keep near shore ; " and 
then he waded out of the deep water that has bothered many wiser heads 
than his ! 

On another occasion, he was preaching in the timber at the south of Field's 
Prairie, where it took all the people of the south end of the county to make a 
respectable congregation. In the midst of his profound discourse, he observed 
some persons, forgetting the solemnity of the occasion, gmiling and not giving 
the attention that a minister of the Gospel is supposed to be entitled to, and 
immediately addressed himself to the parties, modestly reproving them in this 
wise : " Ef the friends are laughing at what old man Ray is saying, and doubt 
the truth of it, he can tell you that he has the documents in the lids of the 
Bible to obstantiate every word he says (giving the Good Book a tremendous 
whack with his open hand), but ef they are laughing at the ignorance of the 
old man, and because he can't eddify them, why then, old man Ray will sub- 
sist, and you kin go and hear some preacher with more larnin', ef you kin find 
any sich ! " 

There were many preachers, in early days, of the type of old man Ray. 
Among the early preachers in the county were John Camp, the County Judge, 
and Baldwin, the fisherman. Of the better class was John H. Daniels, of 
Bath, who is a man well posted in religious lore, and is still preaching to the 
Baptist Societies of the county, where he has been laboring for the past thirty- 
five years. He has also served the people as a Justice of the Peace and as an 
Associate County Judge, but is not as well posted in the law as in the Gospel. 
A pretty good joke is told on him, asserting that, while a Justice of the Peace, 
he sold a piece of real estate, made out the deed himself, took his own acknowl- 
edgment and that of his wife, certifying that he had examined her " separate 
and apart from her husband !" as the law directs. 

In these modern times, we have experienced a great change in the ministry, 
as well as in the kind of religion taught. No longer are the horny-handed sons 
of toil — dressed in homespun coat and short pants, that seldom deigned to 
meet with the dirty socks — the shepherds of the flocks. The modern minister, 
in order to meet the requirements of society, has become an educated man, and, 
in order to be popular with his Church — especially those of the female per- 
suasion — pays special attention to the vestments he wears in the pulpit, as well 
ae to the utterances that come therefrom. He has learned that "cleanliness is 
next to godliness," and that good clothes and good behavior are not altogether 
unbecoming the minister of the Gospel. 

The changes in religious teaching in the past third of a century, are still 
more remarkable. No longer are the blasphemous utterances against God as 
the author of infant damnation, and endless punishment in hell fire, heard in 
tlu' land. The God of hatred and vengeance has been changed into a loving 
and merciful Being, through the processes of education and development. The 
ignorant and the vicious person makes for himself or herself an imaginary God 



4U8 HISTORY OF MASON COUNTF. 

of evil attributes; and the more enlightened and better-hearted the person, the 
better kind of God is required for thai person ; so that, in fact, every thinking 
man is the architect of his own ideal Supreme Being. Of all the strange and 
confused notions about the Deity, among the different churches and people, it 
is impossible to find out who is wrong or who is right; for the Bible tel'- 
that "no man hath seen Grod" — only His "hinder parts," on one occasion — 
and from that imperfect new, very little can be known of Him or His attri- 
butes. 

The time is fast approaching when it will be a matter of vastly more impor- 
tance to the world what men DO, rather than what they may THINE of religious 
dogmas. " Whatsoever ye would have others do unto you. do ye oven bo unto 
them," is a good and wise maxim, whether uttered by Jesus Christ or by Con- 
fucius, hundreds of years before Him. That maxim implies a good, square, 
honest, kind and neighborly life — nothing more, nothing less! 

There are five church edifices in Havana, occupied by the Methodists. Bap- 
tists, Reformed Church. Catholics and Lutherans. 

In Mason City, there are four church buildings, occupied by the Method- 
ists, 15apti-t<. Presbyterians and Catholics. 

In Bath, there are two church edifices, belonging to the Methodists and 
Christians. 

In the other towns in the county, there are also a number of churches to 
accommodate the church-going people. 

In the county, there are ti"t less than thirty-six church edifices, belonging 
to the various denominations that worship therein. 

The character of the ministers in the county is certainly above the average, 
BS there have been but few ministerial scandals, compared with those in other 
portions of the country. 

i in: i, on - OLUB 

i- one of the Havana institutions that ought not to be overlooked in the history 

of the times. 

It was formerly the custom of men in all grades of Bociety to meel in the 
public saloons to talk over business matters, politics, or whatever was upper- 
most in their minds, as well as to join in social games and the social glass. 
Five year- ago, somewhere about a dozen of first-class men joined themsi 
into a society, a- named above, for social recreation, scientific discuss 
and intellectual pursuits, the transaction of business and discussion of 
business enterprises, and rented a large upper room and furnished it for 
that purpose. Neither gambling or drinking (except pure rain watei 

allowable. 

The number of attendants is not 90 large as it has been, hut those who con- 
tinue to go there find it a very comfortable and agreeable place in which to 
Bpend their leisure hours in conversation, reading and other pursuits. It 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNT V. 499 

place that many distinguished people have visited and been delighted with, and, 
what is still more remarkable in this land of republican simplicity, it has not 
unfrequently been honored by the presence of kings and queens, that have 
made themselves quite useful, as well as ornamental, in " playing such fan- 
tastic tricks, before high heaven, as make the" other fellows weep. 

GEN. GRANT. 

There probably will be some people in a few generations hence that may 
think a history without the name of Grant would be like the play of Hamlet 
with the one great character left out of it. 

For the gratification of many such people, it is considered not out of place 
to speak of Gen. Grant as a retired citizen of Illinois, whose fame is a part of 
the heritage of Mason County, as also of the State and nation. As a military 
hero, his name will probably be handed down to posterity, in the ages that are 
to come, as the greatest of any age or country. 

In another part of this volume of history, the character of Abraham Lin- 
coln is more fully discussed, because he was a citizen of Menard County at one 
time. So long as Illinois is remembered as the home of Lincoln, Douglas and 
Grant, the State will remain immortalized. 

Some two years ago, after his retirement from the Presidential chair, which 
he had occupied for eight years, Gen. Grant and family started out upon a voy- 
age around the world, and visited every crowned head and every nation of 
people in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. The progress of his journey was 
a continuous ovation of the people in every nation and every land, from the 
highest monarch to the lowest serf — each one vying with others in the effort to 
do the greatest honors to the plain republican citizen of Illinois as he advanced 
from one counti'y to another. 

The great fame of the country to which he belonged, was one of causes 
that led to the bestowal of such unprecedented honors upon Gen. Grant, but 
his personal qualities as a man and a soldier constitutes the crowning glory of the 
character whom the world delighted so much in honoring. 

On the 20th of September, 1879, Gen. Grant returned from his wanderings 
and again his feet pressed upon the soil of his native land in the city of San 
Francisco, Cal., where he was met with such a reception as was never before 
given to mortal man in America. 

At the time of writing this brief sketch, Gen. Grant is still the guest of the 
Golden City. His return to his home in Illinois will be marked in every town 
and city through which he passes, by the same spontaneous outburst of the joy 
of the people that greeted him on his arrival. 

Many papers have been urging the nomination of Gen. Grant for another 
term of the Presidency, which could add no new lustre to a fame that already 
fills the world. 



500 HISTORY <>F MASON COUNTY. 

One of the active papers in this movement is the one from which the follow- 
ing lines are copied, as indicative of the Bwelling tide of the " Grant Boom :" 

THE BBAUTIFl I. BOOM. 

HV ONI 01 I El K LUTHOBS "I "BEAUTIFUL BHOW." 

1. 

( )li : the Boom, the beautiful B □ ! 

Crowding the earth and skj for room : 

over the ocean, over the land, 

Willi the pace of a whirlwind's four-in-hand, 

Whizzing, 

Sizzing, 

Whooping along. 
Beautiful Boom, it is going ii Btrong, 
Filling all space with a music bo Bweel 
Thai the spheres find it trying to keep their feet. 

Beautiful B i, white wing'd as the dove, 

Brighl as an angel, and oonstanl n* love. 

II. 
< )h ! the Boom, the beautiful Boom ! 

How it grows as it goes, and continues t<> loom; 

Whirling about in its glorious fun. 

It plays in its glee, like a giant Krupp gun. 

Roaring, 

Laughing. 

Quivering by, 

It lights up the face and sparkles the 

the in in in the moon cannot fail but agree 
That the man of the Boom is a bigger than he. 
The country's alive, and its heart's making room 
To welcome the rule of the l>eautiful Boom. 

APOLOGETICAL. 

Without Peeling possess.'.] of any special fitness for the work, the writer lias 
been induced to undertake the task by a desire to present.- the names and the 
memory of the pioneers of Mas »n County, and also the names of the brave men 
and the patriotic deeds of those who risked their lives, ami those who lost them, 
in the greal war. inaugurated and carried >»n to a final victory, to preserve the 
inestimable blessings of an undivided and unbroken I nion. 

The short time allotted for the completion of bo much work, and the imper- 
fect record of the events of the county that has been kept, have been very greal 
ol.staeh-s in the waj of getting up the county history in a way at all creditable 
or satisfactory to the author. 

[t is fortunate thai the work was begun thus early, for a few more yean 
would have swepl awaj the fow remaining early Bottlers of the county, oul of 
whos,. memory of dates and events much interesting and reliable history is 
formulated. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY 501 

In the military history, much time and effort has been spent to make it 
reliable ; still, there will be errors in names, but it is hoped not in any other 
material matter. 

The time will come when every soldier's name who served in this great war will 
be a precious heirloom in every family to which they belonged, and hence the 
importance of a reliable record that may pass down to the remotest generations 
that are yet to come. 

In the hurry of preparation of manuscripts, much has been overlooked that 
should have appeared in the history, no doubt, but not intentionally. 

In the record of events that have transpired in the county, the author has, 
in some cases, had occasion to refer to himself in a way that is not agree- 
able ; but, in order to vindicate the truth of history, it had to be done. 
We have been obliged to speak of things of which we knew and of things of 
which we were a part, making it embarrassing to a modest man. For the jokes 
told upon ministers and others, we hope no animosities will be treasured up. It 
takes jokes and anecdotes to enliven the monotony of history, and somebody has 
to bear them. In justice, it is proper to say, however, that every statement 
made is in good faith, relying upon the entire truthfulness in all matters where 
it could be obtained. 

For a third of a century, the writer has been a resident of Mason County, 
and more or less identified with its interests. In that time, many things have 
transpired calculated to endear us to the people of the county. We have seen 
the county of Mason grow up from a few hundred people without wealth or 
position into a population of 20,000, many of whom are wealthy, educated, 
talented and happy. In that time, one full generation of people have passed 
from the face of the earth, among whom were children, kindred and friends that 
were dear. Men have arisen from obscurity to high position, and again been 
relegated to obscurity. 

On the other hand, the writer has borne with mishaps, misfortunes and per- 
sonal wrongs, such as few could or would withstand, trusting with an abiding 
faith that time brings a recompense to all worthy souls that suffer and can 
wait. Our work is done. 

September 27, 187'.". 

HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 

A late writer, reviewing this fast age, remarks that "the world moves much 
after the fashion of a falling body," and that at present it " has acquired con- 
siderable momentum." True, its velocity is simply astounding, yet it moved 
slow enough in the beginning. In the old times, it took nearly a century for a 
man to cut loose from the maternal apron-strings, and three or four centuries to 
attain the prime and vigor of manhood. Rome was seven centuries in expand- 
ing her power and reaching the zenith of her glory ; the temple of Diana at 



502 HISTORY OF M k80» OOUSTY. 

Bphesus Baw 250 yean from its foundation to its completion, and the architect 
of Babel ami the Pyramids planned work for hundreds of years ahead. In 
these days of mushroom magnificence and tinsel show, one can form but little 
ides of the gorgeous spectacles, the boundless luxury, the surpassing extrav- 
agance of those far-away times. Cities grow up now-a-days in a few years, or 
decades at most, but they amount to little, except as bonfires. Witness Chi- 
Its growth was unparalleled. It increased in population as no other 
<ity perhaps ever did. I>ike Aladdin's castle, it disappeared in a single night, 
as it were, and arose again, as if from a touch of the wonderful lamp, and 
''the new city was more glorious than the first." In the year 2500, where 
will it be? Is it likely that it will be Queen of the West, a- it is i 
We dare not think so. It will have had its day. ami. perchance, its crown will 

adorn some other brow. 

Speaking of the Olympian festivities and the old Roman triumphs, and the 
millions expended on them and their accessories, one of our shrewd business 
men recently remarked. " We've got beyond all such things now, and 1 am 
glad of it, for such things wouldn't pay." That is it exactly ; we have no 
time for what don't pay. We are economical, and count the cost with the 
closeness of a Jew. Everything i> dune tor an object, and with a rush. We 
live fast. Three or four lifetimes are compressed into one. I- it any won- 
der that our madhouses are filled with insane, with all this strain on vitality 
and energy? The ancients were wiser in this respect than we are. They 
allowed time for their mental and physical capacity to develop. In every- 
thing we undertake is the same rush and hurry : we never calculate projects a 
hundred years ahead, but live wholly in the present and for the present. \- 

an example of the rapidity with which we move, in L800 the present territory 
of Illinois had a population of about 12,000 ; now it has over 8,000,000, or a 
population equal to the thirteen colonies at the time of the Revolutionary war. 
Fifty years ago, Mason County was an unbroken wilderness of marshes and 
Band-hills, with not a half dozen white people within its borders. But a few 
years have passed, and behold the change] The city and township to which 
this chapter is devoted, have sprung into existence. The marshes and Band- 
hills have developed into fine plantation-, adorned with palatial homesteads, 

and in their midst has arisen ;i beautiful little city. At tin' touch of civiliza- 
tion, the wilderness has been made t.> "blossom as the rose;" herd- and har- 
- have followed the p:de-faee pioneer, ami hundreds of human beings of a 

higher civilization have taken the place of ;i few wandering hunters and fisher- 
men. This is the fast age of the nineteenth century, and illustrates OUT whole- 
sale mode <>f doing business. 

Havana Township lie- on the east side of the Illinois River, south of Quiver 
Township, west of Sherman, north of Kilboiirne. and. according to Govern- 
ment Burvey, embraces Town *J1 north. Range 8 west, a part of Town 21, 
Range '.'. a part of Town 22, Range v . and contains altogether about fifty-six 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 50$ 

sections of land. It is diversified, like the entire portion of the county along 
the river, with low, wooded hills, rolling prairie, level land, etc., some of the 
latter inclined to be a little marshy until drained by artificial ditches. Much of 
the town is of a sandy nature, but very productive, yielding corn, oats and wheat 
in good abundance. The territory now included in the township of Havana was 
originally, perhaps, one-third timber, the remainder rolling and level prairie. It 
has no water-courses, except those forming a part of its boundaries, viz: Quiver 
Creek on the north and the Illinois River on the west. The P., P. & J., the I., B. 
& W. extension and the Springfield & North- Western Railroads traverse it in 
all directions, and, with the " narrow gauges " now projected, together with the 
Illinois River, boatable the greater part of the year, it lacks no facilities for 
travel and transportation. Havana, which is particularly noticed in another 
chapter, is a thriving little city of the township and the capital of the county. 
Besides this, is Peterville, which has been surveyed and laid out as a village, 
but is merely two or three shops and a few houses. With this preliminary 
description of the township, we will now proceed to notice its 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first white man to locate in Havana Township, and, in fact, the first 
in Mason County, is believed to have been a man named James Hoakum, but 
of him there is little information to be had at the present day. This much r 
however, is definitely known, that he kept the ferry for Ross, where the city 
of Havana now stands, which was established in 1823 or 1824, and is supposed 
to have located on this side of the river as early as 1827. There is little 
doubt but he was the first " Caucasian " upon the classic sand-hills of Havana 
after the famous " fish-fry " of Father Marquette and his party, mentioned 
by Gen. Ruggles in the general history of this work. He did not remain long, 
however, and Maj. Ossian M. Ross, perhaps, may, with truth, be set down as 
the first permanent settler. He came originally from the Empire State to 
Illinois in 1819, and settled in Madison County. In the spring of 1821, 
he settled in Lewistown, Fulton County, and was one of the proprietors of that 
town, which was named for his son, Lewis Ross. Maj. Ross established the 
ferry at the present city of Havana in 1823-24, as above stated, but even 
prior to the establishment of a regular ferry, he had an arrangement for assist- 
ing people over the river on Saturday of each week. He would take them and 
their baggage in a canoe, while their horse or horses were made to swim by 
the side of it. Ira Scoville was the next man, after Hoakum, who kept the 
ferry, and now lives in Fulton County. Mr. Ross built a hotel in Havana in 
1829, the first in Mason County. He was also the first Postmaster and a 
public-spirited man. He died in 1837, but has left able representatives behind 
him to perpetuate his good name. He had a brother, John M. Ross, who lived 
here for a number of years, but moved away, and is now dead. Maj. li 
family consisted of four sons and two daughters, viz.: Lewis, the eldest, lives 



0'»4 HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

in Lewistown, Harvey in Vermont, Leonard in Avon and Pike in Canton, all 
of Fulton County. One of the daughters. Harriet, married A. S. Stele, and 
Lucinda married Judge Kellogg Henry Myers came here very early, the same 
year, perhaps, that Rosa did, but of him little could be ascertained. He moved 
over into Fulton County in a short time, and further nothing is remembered 
of him. John Barnes settled in the township at ••the Mounds," above Havana, 
about L829-30. He sold out there and moved to Quiver. AVhen, some time 
after, a school was established in a shanty at Mr. Dieffenbacher's. some four 
miles distent, Barnes took his plow and made a furrow to it. turning the dirt 
out both ways, thus making a road through the prairie grass for his children to 
go to school. He had several girls who used to cut iv cord wood " and bring it 
down the river on a raft to Havana. Think of that, ye delicate young ladies 
of the present day. He finally moved to Kansas, and. some years ago, when 
Dr. Field was in Kansas, he camped in the woods one night, and, just after he 
had made his cam]), some others did the same near by. Field heard a man 
talking, and remarked, that if he knew that old man Barnes was in that country, 
he would Bay that he heard him talking. " It is old Barnes." said a voice, 
and up stalked the old gentleman in question. He and Field talked all night 
about old times. He is probably dead, a- he was rather old when he left here. 
In addition to those already mentioned, the following re-enforcements wert 
received during the year 1835; Orrin E. Foster. N. J. Rockwell. Napoleon 
P. Dirks, Daniel Adams Blair. Abel W. Kemp. Eli Fisk. two men named 
Ray and Hyde, and the Wheadons. The latter were from New York, and 
made but a short stop on this side of the river. They went on to Lewistown 
in Fulton County, and resided there until 1854. Selah Wheadon is well 
known in Havana, as a newspaper man of experience and ability, and is men- 
tioned in that connection. Fisk was a native of Connecticut and located in 
Havana, where he resided until 1837, when he removed to the farm where his 
E. <'. Fisk. now lives, and where he died in lstil. He was born in 1781, 
at the close of the Revolutionary war. and died just at the beginning of 
another, compared to which the first was mere child's play. His son, Eli C 
Fisk, is a public man of some prominence, being a preacher and a lawyer, and 
has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his country. Foster. 
Kemp. Adams and Rockwell came together, and were from the Provin 
Canada. Adam-' residence here was brief. While making ;i trip to the I 
be lost his life .,n an Ohio River steamboat. Kemp i- the only survivor of this 
colony, and at the present time is living in Wisconsin. The following extl 

from an address, delivered by W. 11. Spencer, at the golden wedding of Mr. 
Kemp, which occurred the 26th day of August, 1874, are not out of pla 
this connection : "In L833, Mr. Kemp ami family went to Canada 'from 

New York, their native place |, thence moving in 1835, to Illinois, locating 
a farm in the bottom land- of the Sangamon River, near Havana. MasoB 
County. In those days it was very fashionable to get the ague ami keep it 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 505 

and so Mr. Kemp's family, one and all, immediately joined the company of 
shakers, and we are told that their faces were of the color of lemon peel, and 
their teeth did chatter, chatter as unceasingly as old Goody Blake's, in the 
melancholy cynic poem. There were no doctors in the neighborhood, which, 
perhaps, accounts for the fact that they all survived the shakes. In one respect, 
however, this family did not follow the fashions, for at that time, when the 
houses were all made of logs, and windows were holes in the wall, perfectly 
innocent of glass, what did this Mr. Kemp do but fly right in the face of pub- 
lic opinion by purchasing four panes of glass and putting them in the aforesaid 
hole in the wall. Is it any wonder that his humble neighbors pronounced it 
one of the vanities of civilization, and looked upon his house as a proud man's 
castle, and upbraided the inmates as being wickedly extravagant, ' big feelinY 
and • sort o' stuck up like !' * * * Happy the day when they decided 
to quit this ague farm. It happened in this wise : Mr. Kemp was preparing 
to build a new house on the old ground, determined, apparently, to fight it out 
on that line if he shook all his life. But when the foundation was laid, Mrs. 
Kemp came to look at it and with sallow face and chattering teeth, she admon- 
ished him that she could not survive another year on that old, bilious farm, 
and begged him to pitch his tent where she should direct. Like a good and 
obedient husband, he followed where she led. Riding over the prairie several 
miles from the site of the first farm, she pointed to a spot and said '. ' There. 
Abel, is where I want my house.' He alighted and drove a stake there, bought 
the land of the Government, and built his house on the very spot, in the midst 
of 120 acres of rich soil. From that day, the ebbing tide in fortune stopped, 
and the flow set in. After remaining several years on this farm, he moved into 
the little village of Havana, where he kept a hardware store in connection with 
a foundry. * * * While in Illinois, N. J. Kemp and Frances (now 
Mrs. John M. Palmer) were born, making in all eight children, three of whom 
are not living, and who died in Illinois. In 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp came 
on a visit to their children at this place, and very naturally fell in love with our 
beautiful village, and decided to make it their future home. * * * Mr. 
Kemp has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for twenty-five years. He is 
therefore a veteran in our ranks — the patriarch of the family. No one is more 
regular in his attendance at the Lodge than he, and this week he has shown his 
interest as well as physical vigor, by riding fifteen or twenty miles to attend 
the funeral of a brother. * * * We honor and congratulate you on this 
fiftieth anniversary of your wedding, and as a token of our esteem for you as a 
man of integrity, our respect for you as an honorable citizen, our affection for 
you as a brother, a long-tried, true, trusty and faithful Odd Fellow, allow me, 
in behalf of many members of our Order here, to present you this cane. Let its 
golden head symbolize the fifty golden years that crown your golden life, so full of 
honor and joy. It is a staff which you may lean upon, not as a broken reed. 
but a staff as strong as the love of your friends, which will ever bear you up as 



BISTORT OF M LSON OOUHTT. 

.■in walk through your declining years. And to you, Mrs. Kemp, in coa- 
gulation <>f* this event, and as ;i little token <>f their esteem, the Daughter! 
of Rebecca, through me, present yon this silver cup, gold-lined, and othei 
friends present this gold watch." 

The following extract is from ■ letter written by Judge Rockwell, from 
hi- home at Tiny. X. V.. in l v 7' - >. and give- the particulars of his earlj 
settlement in the West: ••The best part of my life — that portion which 
Bhould be given to active business enterprise — was Bpenl in Havana. It «rai 
not as fruitful of desirable results as I wish it had been, tor if I had the 
ability, which I do not assert, I certainly had not the pecuniary means N 
build up a town in a new country. When at the age of twenty-six \ 
I landed in Havana from the steamer Aid. the last boat up the Illinois R 

for the season of L835, Maj. Ossian M. Ross was living at Havana, a man ol 
means and large experience and the projector of the town, ready and willing b 
expend money, time and influence in building it up. He promised much, 
which I have no reason to doubt he would have fulfilled had he lived, but death 
removed him. and left more than half of Havana, the property of an i 
with minor heirs, nearly one-half of the town being sold to a Peoria firm. OM 
of whom BOOn died, and their portion became involved in the affairs of another 
.e. with no one connected with either trying to build up the town, but 
both trying to dr;iw from it a support to live elsewhere. You ask the place of 
my birth. I was born in Benson, \'t.. on the 14th day of February. 1809. 

Benson, Whiting and Middletown, Vt., were, respectively, my home until my 
eighteenth year, when my father removed to Watertown, N. Y.. where 1 was a 
clerk in the store of L. Paddock until my twenty-second birthday. I wal 
offered ;i partnership, in Demorestville, Canada, with dame- Carpenter, who 

had been in business there a number of years and was well established. I 
accepted, and became a member of the firm of Carpenter & Rockwell. In 
1^:;.",. 1 sold out my interest in the firm to my partner, and took m; 
and atarted t" seek my new home in the Great and the then far-off) \ l 

Daniel Adams and Abel \Y. Kemp and their families landed at the -aiiie time, 
all of US bavin- started, with < >rrin E2. Poster and wife the late Mr-. E. 1 
from Demorestville, in Upper Canada, to settle somewhere in the Civat V* 
and in a warmer climate than that of Canada. Mr. Adam-, on a return trip 
to Canada on bn<im--. lost his life by a ru Hi a lily mate on an < >hiu River -team- 

l">at. near Louisville, Kv. You know Mr. Kemp- presenl residence. < >f 

the time and the money which I spent from my Blender means for \ 

to make Havana and Ma-oii ('.unity desirable to live ill. it does not become 

me to speak. Havana Seems tome yet more like home than anywhere el-e 

I L r " or live; not because there i- no other place equal to it in this 

part of the country, but because 1 lived there -o long and because there 
are BO many much less de-irable plaOOS." Mr. Rockwell filled the office of 
County Judge our term, with other office- of a minor character. lie died in 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 507 

1878, and his wife died the present year. Orrin E. Foster, who seems to have 
been a kind of leader of this little colony, was a native of Vermont, but had 
removed to Canada, and from there came to the West with this party, as men- 
tioned. He engaged in the hotel business, and kept the second house of enter- 
tainment, perhaps, in Mason County. Subsequently, he bought a farm, three 
miles east of the city of Havana, which was his home until his death, an event 
that occurred in 1843. His widow married Eliphaz Low, an early settler of 
this township ; the result of which union was two sons — Anson and Rufus Low. 
There were four children by the first marriage — J. R. and George Foster. Mrs. 
Wheeler and Mis. Nash. J. R., or Judd Foster, as he is familiarly called, is a 
member of the firm of Low & Foster, grain-dealers, and is a business man who 
stands as high as any in Mason County. Dirks was a Holland Dutchman, and 
died here. Blair was here but a short time. He came from the other side of 
the river, sold out to Rockwell, and returned whence he came. He was a car- 
penter by trade. Ray was a Canadian, and married Hyde's daughter, whom 
he afterward deserted, and what finally became of him is not known. Hyde, 
after a few years, moved away. 

In 1836, the following recruits were added to the settlement : The Low 
brothers, Pulaski Scoville, Pollard Simmons, C. W. Andrus, Stephen Hilbert, 
Hoag Sherman, Ephraim Burnell, John Ritter, A. C. Gregory and John and 
William Alexander. The Lows came originally from the old Bay State, and 
consisted of three brothers, Francis, Thomas and Eliphaz, of whom none are 
now living, except Francis. He, at the age of eighteen years, came West, 
stopping at Louisville, Ky., where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 
1834, he went to Cincinnati ; from there, he went to St. Louis, and came here 
as above. The Lows, together with Pulaski Scoville, built a steam saw-mill 
here at an early day, which sawed timbers for buildings in Alton and St. Louis, 
and for the first railroad built in the Mississippi Valley, as well as for the 
houses erected in this section of the country. Francis Low was Deputy Sheriff 
of Tazewell County when it included this portion of Mason, and the first Sheriff 
of Mason County after its formation. He served as Sheriff two terms, and 
assisted in building the Illinois River Railroad. Mr. Low has always been an 
energetic business man, taking a lively interest in everything calculated to pro- 
mote the welfare of his town and county. He took an active part in organizing 
the Havana National Bank, of which he is President. Thomas and Eliphaz 
Low came in the spring of 1836, while Francis came the fall following. The? 
made claims on Quiver, and were honored and respected citizens. Thomas died 
about 1846, and Eliphaz in 1864. The latter has a son living at present in 
the city of Havana, engaged in the grain business (firm of Low & Foster), and 
is one of the substantial business men of the city. Pulaski Scoville removed to 
Warren County, 111., in 1834, and to this section in 1836, as above noticed. 
He came from Cincinnati to Illinois, but is a native of Connecticut, whence 
he removed to New York, where he remained six years before emigrating West. 



308 HISTORY OP mason GOUHTY. 

As already stated, he, in company with the Low brothers, built a steam saw- 
mill at Havana, which did an extensive business for many years. He bought ■ 
large quantity of land, and was possibly the first grain-buyer in this part of* the 
country, as we. learn that he bought a thousand bushels of corn from a Mr. 
Reese, who lived where Virginia oow -tan. Is. an. i 1^200 bushels from James 
Walker, at Walker's Grove. He is -til 1 living in Mason County. Julius, 
Junius and Lucius Scoville were brothers of Pulaski Scoville, and came to the 
settlement in a year or two afterward. Julius and Junius were twins, and all 
three are dow dead. C. W. Andrus .Mine from Watertown, N. V.. and la 
where tin- city .>i" Havana dow stands, and is still living. He engaged in mer- 
chandising with N. .1. Rockwell soon after his arrival, and, about three . 
later, removed t.. Fulton County. In 1845, he returned t<> Havana, ami 
resumed hi- "Id business as a merchant. He is the oldest merchant in Mason 
County living to-day. Mr. Andrus was one of the early Justices of tin- P< 
but declined all other offices. He has always been an upright business man. 
and 18 one of Havana's respected citizens. Ephraim Burnell Settled near the 

•• Mounds in the vicinity of" Havana, and afterward, in removing to California, 
died on the route. Erasmus and Evander Burnell were nephews, and came 
aoon after Ephraim. Evander is dead, and Erasmus lives in Kansas. John 
Bitter and A.. C. Gregory settled in the same neighborhood as ESphraim Burnell, 
and about the Bame time. Emitter was from Kentucky, and was the father o! 
CoL Richard Etitter, well known to many of our readers as a Colonel in the late 

war. and who now lives in Missouri. The elder Hitter died on his original set- 
tlement. Pollard Simmons died here, bul we believe has a son still living. 

ben Hilbert and Hoag Sherman were from the East, bul what Stat 
did Dot learn. Both died here a Dumber of year- ago. dames Blakely came 
to Mason County this year, bul settled in what is now Kilbourne Township. 
where he lived for a Dumber of year-, when he removed to the place in this 
township where his widow yet lives. He is further noticed in the history oi 

Kill.oiirnc Township. John and William Alexander came this year, but did 
remain long. One of them lived near the Mound-, and the other sold to 

pb Mowder when he came to the settlements, in L8S9. Further, nothing 

:.- rem. •inhered of them. 

From the "golden fields" and "verdant hills" of the Fatherland, we have 
a la 1 1 inn of Germans, who became the best of citizens. Unheeding 

the pathetic -tram- of a native poet — 

•■ Vie wird m in den fremden Waldern 
I'.ik-1i ii ton der Heimathberge <inin, 

Deutschland'a gelben lern, 

\ i. ii seinei) Rebenhiigeln riehn ' 

w ie » ird daa Bild der alten I 

hin . h imi; lansend wehn ' 

Qleioh finer -lillen. tv men - 

Wird ( 3eel< Btehn, " — 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 509 

they left the- homes of their youth and came to a country where the highest 
honor to be attained, the proudest title to be won, is that of American citizen. 
Among them, we may note the following families : The Krebaums, the 
Dierkers, the Guntlachs, the Havighorsts, John II. Schulte, John W. Neteler, 
Frederick Speckman, Harman Tegedes, John W. Holzgnefe, and a great many 
others who do not rank as old settlers. The Krebaum family consisted of 
Bernhard Krebaum and five sons, Frederick, Adolph, William, Edward and 
Charles G., the latter born in this township, and supposed to be the oldest 
native-born citizen of Mason County. There were two daughters, both of 
whom are still living. Three children, also, died young ; two died in Germany 
and one in this country. The Krebaums are said to have been the third family 
in Havana Township, and the fourth in Mason County, and arrived here in 
the summer of 1834. The old gentleman resided here until his death, in 1853, 
at the age of seventy-one years. Frederick, the oldest son, died recently, at an 
advanced age ; Edward died several years ago ; Adolph, William and Charles 
G. are still living in the city of Havana, honorable and upright citizens. 
Adolph served several terms as County Clerk, an office in which he gave 
unbounded satisfaction. Charles G. is an extensive grain-dealer. To Adolph 
Krebaum we are indebted for much of the early history of both the town- 
ship and city of Havana. John H. Dierker and two brothers, Henry and 
Geoi'ge, came to the present township in 1838, and the former located about 
one mile from Havana, and still resides on the place of his original settlement. 
Born in 1799, he has now reached his fourscore years. A local writer pays 
him this tribute, which his friends unite in acknowledging to be justly due him: 
" His wealth has not been obtained by narrow and penurious dealing ; but he 
has ever been noted for generous open-heartedness, and from him the poor 
never went empty away. Though his sun is now declining into the western 
horizon, he enjoys good health, and is quite active for his years. He has long 
been identified with the German Lutheran Church of Havana, the financial 
interests of which have been in a most healthful state on account of that rela- 
tionship. His sense of right is his law, doing unto others as he would that 
they should do unto him." Henry and George settled in Bath Township; 
Henry died soon after his arrival, and George in 1854. Jacob Guntlaeh first 
came to America in 1832 or 1833, returned to Germany, and came back with 
the Krebaums. His brother Theodore Guntlach came also at this time. They 
located about two miles northeast of Havana; but did not remain long in the 
neighborhood, and sold out and moved away. Augustus Otto and John Woeste 
came about 1844 or 1846. The former removed to St. Louis about two years 
ago, and Woeste died here. The Havighorsts are another substantial family 
of Germans, consisting of several brothers, viz. : John H. and G. II. D. Hav- 
ighorst, now living in the city of Havana; Gerard, another brother, a prom- 
inent merchant of Bath, died there some years ago; and still another brother 
is a preacher, and lives in St. Louis. John II. came to America in 1836, and 



510 EISTOKT OF MASON COUNTY. 

remained in New Orleans until the following year, when he came to tins town- 
ship. In L844, he commenced bnsineea in the village of Matanzas, and 
remained there until 1858. He was elected Sheriff of Mason County in the 
fall of that year, and removed to Havana. He was again elected to the office 
in 1862, ami Circuit Clerk in L864. He also served a term a- Sheriff, begin- 
ning in l s 4^. In all these positions of public trust, Mi-. Havighorst made an 
excellent ami efficient officer, ami though now beyond the Bunny dope <>f life, 
is well preserved, and bids fair to live yet fur many years to come. <i. II. P. 
Havighorst did not come t«» this country as earlv as his brother. He arrived 
at Schnlte's Landing, one mile below Havana, in the fall of 1844, ami 
after went to M eredosia, in Morgan County, where ho remained until 1849, 
then returned to Mason County, ami located at Hath. In 1864, he made a 
visit to Germany, ami. on his return to this country. Bettled in Havana, where 
he still live-. Ho owns a large lot of land in the county, ami is one of the 
wealthiest citizens of the community. John II. Schulte came to the United 
States, and to Mason County, in l s -">7. He established what was known as 
Schnlte's Landing, on the river, below Havana. Here he engaged in the grain 
business. For many years his trade there is said to have exceeded that at 

I lavaiia. I lo was also a kind of itinerant merchant, and sold goods in .Menard. 
Cass and Mason < '• >un1 168. Mr. Schulte died in 1845. A BOH is now Deputy 

County Clerk of Mason County. John William Neteler came to America in 

l^:'.»'.. Hi- family consisted of Anna Maria (afterward Mrs. Speckman) Cath- 
arine Elizabeth (al the time wife of John II. Schulte), ami John H.. a Bon. lie 
had come to the country the year previous. The old gentleman died the fall 
after they came, ami was the first German buried in the Havana Cemetery. 

John H. was an assistant of Mr- Lincoln in his early surveys iii Mason County. 

None of the Neteler family survive except grandchildren. Frederick Speck- 
man, who married a daughter of Neteler, as mentioned above, came to the 
country in 1 s -">-">. and to tin- township in the fall of L836. He died in l v I. 
luit has several representatives living in the town. Harman Tegedes came t" 
America in L844, and located in Havana Township, where he died in 1 V T 
His widow still resides on the old homestead. John W. Holzgraefe came to 

the United States m I s -"'."'-. and Stopped in the city of Boston, where he 

remained until L840, when he came to Mason County and settled in Havana 
Township. Ho still lives on the place of his original settlement, ami is a 
wealth} and enterprising farmer, lie ha- live stalwart -on-, and a peculiarity 
m their names i-. that each begins with George, a- follows: George William, 
George Henry. Georgi Lewis, George Branti ami George Frank. They are 

among the Successful business men of Havana and vicinity. Leopold Stern-. 

Michael and Emanuel Steiner and G Weiner were .low-. Stem- went to 

California twelve or fifteen years ago ; the Steiners to New York, where they 
are engaged Belling "aheap clodings," and Weiner went to Philadelphia. 
Adam Faasler and Joseph Meyer were Pennsylvania Dutch. Ea&sler removed 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 513 

to the West ; Meyer, we believe, is dead, but has a son living in Sherman 
Township. 

The population was increased, in 1837, by the arrival of the following new- 
comers : Charles Howell, the Dieffenbachers, Alexander Stuart, Nehemiah 
Murdock, Isaac Parkhurst and Jesse Brown. The latter came from the East, 
though from what State is not known. His first residence was of the pattern 
which is said to have first given rise to order in architecture, viz., two forks 
driven into the ground, a pole extending from one to the other, and others set 
with one end on the ground, supported at the top by the pole resting in the 
forks. This was covered with prairie grass, with one end left open for ingress 
and egress. He had logs cut for a house, and Dieffenbacher and Howell pro- 
posed to help him put it up, if he would give them shelter. This he agreed to, 
and the three families found shelter in it until they could build their own 
cabins. He sold, a few years later, to Dan Roberts, and made an improvement 
on the Springfield road, one mile from Havana, and finally sold out and 
removed to Missouri. Roberts came from Pennsylvania, and died in this town- 
ship, but his widow is still living. Isaac Parkhurst came from New Jersey 
and settled in Havana Township, where he resided until his death. He has 
numerous representatives still living in the county. Nehemiah Murdock was 
a native of New Jersey, and came to Illinois in the spring of 1837, stopping 
in the present county of Sangamon, and the following year came to this town- 
ship. The next year, however, he returned to his native place, where he 
remained until 1854. when he again came to Illinois, and now resides in Crane 
Creek Township. He has a son in Havana, one of the proprietors of the 
3I(tson County Democrat. Alexander Stuart hails from w Ould Ireland," and 
is a model representative of that nationality. He was one of the first lumber 
merchants in Havana, an early Justice of the Peace, and one of the early 
steamboat men. He is still living in the city of Havana, a well preserved 
pioneer of more than sixty years. Daniel Dieffenbacher is a jolly old Pennsyl- 
vania Dutchman, and came from the Keystone State, as noted above, in 1837. 
He served on the first grand jury after the organization of Mason County, in 
1841, and has always been an active man in his neighborhood. In 1839. he 
became identified with the Methodist Church, and has ever since been a zealous 
member of that denomination, and is a man in whom there is no guile. He is 
still living and enjoying good health for one of his years. Of six children 
still living, but three arc residents of Mason County — Mrs. Thomas Covington 
and Dr. Philip L. Dieffenbacher, of Havana, and Mrs. Dr. Willing, of Bath. 
Dr. Dieffenbacher came to Illinois with his parents, and in 1849 returned to 
Pennsylvania, where he completed his education, studied medicine, and gradu- 
ated in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. In 1856, he came back to 
Illinois, and located in Havana, where he has since made his home. In 1862, 
he enlisted in the Eighty -Fifth Illinois Infantry, and was promoted to Surgeon with 
the rank of Major, in June, 1863. He served with this regiment until the 



514 HI8T0R1 OF M L80H OOUNTT. 

close of the war, and was with Sherman in his inarch to the sea. Charles 
Bowel! is also a native of Pennsyslvania. Be came to Mason County and 
st-t tl«*<l four miles east of the city "t' Havana. This claim he soon after Bold 
and purchased the mill Bite where McHarry's mill (on Quiver Creek) now 
stands, in company with .Julius Jones and William Pollard. He was a wheel- 
wright by trade; and in about L842, they built a saw-mill, which they after- 
ward sold to McHarry. After McHarry's purchase, he built a grist-mill on 

the SOUtb side of the creek, a notice of which will be given elsewhere. Mr. 

Bowel! is a kind of wandering Jew. and has "roamed through many lands." 
From his native State he went to New Xork, where he remained but a short 
time, and returned to Pennsylvania. Be next went to Louisiana, where be 
was for a rim ! in work for the Port Hudson & Clinton Railroad, dur- 

ing which time he built a bridge for it, still known as the " Howell Bri : 
Hi- next removal was to Illinois, as given above. In L849, he crossed the 
plains to California, returned in L850, and. in 1859, made another trip to the 
Golden Gate. His experience has been vast and varied: and. after a life 
crowded with stirring episodes, he has settled down once more in the vicinity 
of his early home in Mason County, to spend the remainder of his dV 

Hon. Robert McReynolds, also a Pennsylvania^, came to Illinois in 
and located in this township. Be was a neighbor to the Dieffenbachers in Penn- 
sylvania, as wel] as in Mason County. During his long residence here, hi 

to till various official position.-, in all of which he discharged his 
duty with faithfulness and fidelity. For several years, he .-erved as County 
Judge. He died in 1872, at the age of eighty-one year-. From his obituary 
notice we make the following extract : " For more than a year the hand of time 
bore heavily upon him. hut. happily and cheerfully, he could say with 
1 All the day- of my appointed time will 1 wait, till my change come." The 

was an old-time Christian and united with the M. E. Church in 
L831, consequently was not only a pioneer in this country but a pioneer in Meth- 
odism in the West, and for long years the intimate friend of the venerable 

itwright. who BO recently preceded him to the spirit land." Joseph 

Mowder came from the Quaker State the Bame year as did McReynolds, 
a Methodist preacher named Coder came with McReynolds. Coder had a 
who was a doctor, and removed to Logan County. Mowder still lives on the 
place where be originally settled, and which be bought from one of the Alex- 
anders. Jacob T. Mowder. a son of Joseph, still lives in this township, and 
was a child when his father moved to this country. John R. Chaney came 
from Kentucky to Illinois in 1837, and located in Greene County, [nthesj 
of 1839, he came to M i imty and settled in t Irene Creek Township, and. 

in the fall of that year, came to this township. He still reside- on hi- original 
claim made in this town, and i- one of the prosperous fanner.-. He was 01 

the second corps of C ity Commissioners after the organisation of Mason 

( 'oimty. 



HISTORY' OF MASON COUNTY. 51.", 

Asa W. Langford, a native of Tennessee, came to Fulton County, 111., in 
1824, and located where he afterward laid out the old town of Waterford. Later, 
he became one of the proprietors of Lewistown and of Havana, and, in the 
latter place, lived for a number of years. George W. Langford, his son, located 
in Havana when but fifteen years old, and entered the employ of Walker, Han- 
cock & Co., and, in 1856, became a partner in the firm. He was for many 
years one of the leading business men of Havana, which place he still makes 
his home, though of late years he has been a traveling salesman for a large 
wholesale house in New York. 

Col. V. B. Holmes and John W. Wiggenton were early settlers here as 
well as in Bath Township, where they are more particularly mentioned. They 
were among the first merchants of Havana, and opened a store in the village 
when it consisted of but a few log cabins. The Wrights, represented in Hav- 
ana at present by 0. H. and H. A. Wright, are not as early settlers as many 
already mentioned in this chapter, but came to Illinois in 1845, and located in 
Fulton County. In 1849, they came to Havana. George Wright, the father 
of these boys above noticed, was a soldier of the war of 1812, a son of Thad- 
deus Wright, a Revolutionary soldier and a native of Massachusetts. He died 
in Havana, in 1865. 0. H. Wright served one term as Circuit Clerk of Mason 
County, was a member of the last Constitutional Convention of Illinois, and ia 
one of the oldest newspaper men of Havana. 

Hon. Luther Dearborn is a native of New Hampshire, and came to Havana 
in 1844. He did not remain here long but removed to St. Charles, Kane Co., 
111., and, the year following, located at Elgin. In 1850, he was elected Sheriff 
of Kane County, and had for his deputy the well-known detective, Allan Pink- 
erton. He also served as Circuit Clerk of Kane County, and during the term 
was admitted to the bar. In 1858, he returned to Havana, where he has ever 
since resided. He is the senior member of the law firm of Dearborn & Camp- 
bell, leading lawyers, not only of Mason County, but of Central Illinois. 

Among the prominent positions held by Mr. Dearborn was that of State 
Senator in the last General Assembly. 

Marcellus Dearborn, a brother, and Jonathan Dearborn, their father, came 
at the same time. The elder Dearborn built the hotel now known as the Mason 
House, and kept a hotel for a time. He has been dead for a number of 
years. 

Dr. E. B. Hat plium came to Illinois in ls44, and located in Havana. He 
is a native of the " City ot Brotherly Love," and, at the age of five years, 
removed with his parents to Indiana. After arriving at manhood, he studied 
medicine and graduated, when he came to Havana, ;is above, where he has prac- 
ticed his profession for a quarter of a century. He is still living, one of the 
highly respected citizens of Havana. 

James, Levi and Silas Ilarpham are brothers, and came soon after the Doc 
tor. and, we believe, are all still living in the city and township of Havana. 



511 HISTORY OP M kSON COUNTY. 

Their father, Jonathan Harpham, came to Mason County in 1850, and died in 
L852. 

William Higbee ie from Lexington, Ky., and came to Illinois in 1836, and 
located in Greene County, where Ik- resided until l s 4">. when he removed to 
Christian County. In 1847, he removed to Quiver, and now lives ;it his • 
in the city of Havana. 

James Quick came from New Jersey to Illinois in I s M. and to Havana 
Township in the spring of L842, where he still resides. 

John Hurley i- also from New Jersey, and removed with his father's family 
to Qlinois in the Bpring of 1834, locating in De Witt County. In 1843, he 
came to Havans Township and located near McHarry's mill. Here lie 
remained until 1856, when he wenl to Kansas, and, with Jim Lam-, partici- 
pated in the "border warfare" of thai exciting period. He returned to this 
township, where he still lives. He says that lie built the first house on the 
prairie between Havana and McHarry's mill; that he helped to "ra 
McHarry's mill, and that men came eighteen and twenty miles to render af 
ance. 

William Wallace came from Ohio in 1843, with his mother's family (his 
father died In Ohio), and Bettled in tliis township, where he still resides. Julius 
Jones also came from Ohio. He Located in Menard County in 1837, and 
removed to Havana Township in the Bpring of L842. In company with 
Charles Howell and William Pollard, built a saw-mill where McHarry's mill 
now stands, or rather on the opposite side of the creek from it. which is noticed 
elsewhere. A son, A. II. Jones, lives in Havana Township. Nathan Howell 
came from Pennsylvania in L840, and Bettled in Havana Township. He ! 
ion, B. I - '. Howell, still Living in the town, who is a man of great physical 
force and endurance. He boasts of having worked through every harvest for 
thirty-nine years, and plowed through every season, without missing a single 
week. Ye stripling water-sprouts of this fast age, "makes note on it, 

t. < kittle would say. 

Alexander Gray came from the "banks and braes o' Bonny Doon," and 
followed the Bea for a number of year-. ]{<■ settled in this township about the 
year 1842, and has a son, John A. Gray, now living in the town, a prosperous 
farmer. 

Reuben Henninger, Philip Opp and Simon Frankenfield came from the old 
Quaker State of Pennsylvania. Henninger emigrated to Qlinois, and located 
in Havana Township in lMi!. He followed farming until l s tit'>. when he 
retired from active life and moved into the city of Havana, where he has Bince 
resided. He -till owns b large tract of land in the county, is a highly respected 

oitisen, and has many descendants and relatives, who arc among the active and 

leading citizens of the community. < >|>]> removed to < mio, and from the Buck- 

- te to Illinois in 1842, locating in Havana Township, where he still 

resides. Prankenfield Bettled in this township in L841, where he followed 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 517 

farming for a few years, when he removed to the city of Havana, and engaged 
in tailoring, a trade he had learned in Pennsylvania. He again turned his atten- 
tion to farming until 1864, when he returned to the city, and from 1866 to 
1876, engaged in the dry-goods business, from which he has retired, and is now- 
living at his ease. Peter A. Thornburg emigrated from Maryland to Illinois 
in 1840, and settled in Fulton County. He located in Havana Township in 
1848, near where he now lives. He is still living, and is the proprietor of 
Peterville, a small village in the southern part of the town, which he laid out 
in 1868. S. C. Conwell is a native of Delaware, and came to Mason County 
in 1840. He located in Havana in 1848, and is one of the leading lawyers of 
the Mason County bar. He is extensively mentioned in other portions of this 
work, and therefore but little can be said here without repetition. Charles 
Pulling is a native of England, but came to America with his parents in early 
childhood, and resided in Pennsylvania and Ohio until 1848. He then moved 
to Illinois and located in Havana Township, where he still lives. Isaac N. 
Mitchell, one of the live business men of Havana, may be termed an old settler 
of Mason County, but is mentioned in the history of Bath Township, where he 
lived for a number of years. Israel, Jesse and David Drone were from Penn- 
sylvania. Jesse still lives in Havana, Israel in Sangamon County, and David 
died here. Jabez Maranville came from Fulton County here, but his native 
place is not known. He settled here somewhere in the thirties, and died years 
ago. George, William and Robert Walker, sons of James Walkei\ an old set- 
tler of Walker's Grove, mentioned in another chapter of this work, came here 
about 1839-40. They came from Indiana. George was in business here for a 
number of years, and now lives in Peoria; William is a lawyer and lives in 
Missouri ; Robert and the father are dead. The latter died at an advanced age 
in the city of Havana. Reuben Coon came from New Jersey at an early day, 
but of him not much is known, further than that he died here. 

This comprises a sketch of the settlement of Havana, city and township, so 
far as we have been able to gather facts and incidents. Although white men 
were in Menard County ten years or more before there was a settlement made 
in the present limits of Mason, yet a sufficient period of time has elapsed since 
the pioneer found his way to this immediate region, to involve these eai-ly 
settlements in some uncertainty. As one looks back over fifty years gone by, 
the road seems long and tedious, and, if those who have plodded over its weary 
miles have forgotten events that transpired in those early times, it is not strange. 
We have exhausted every effort to get the early history of the country correct, 
and believe we have it as nearly so as it is possible to obtain it at this late day. 

OTHEB EVENTS AND INCIDENTS. 

The greater part of the early history of this township is so closely inter- 
woven with that of the city of Havana, that it will be given under that head. 
Indeed, there is very little, aside from the settlements made within its limits. 



51€ HISTORY OF M LSON 001 '• 

to write about The notice of early Bettlers, 1 >< »tli in the city and township, is 
given in the preceding pag - to avoid repetition in the chapter devoted 

to the city of Havana. The first schools, churcl -. post office, i 

were al Havana, and will be more fully noticed in that connection. With a 
brief sketch of some incidents helonging more particularly to the township his- 
tory, we will tarn our attention to a review of the county's metropolis. 

One of the tir<t mills in Havana Township, outside of the city, was huilt 
on the opposite Bide of Quiver Creek, from the present McHarry Mill. Ii wag 
put up by Charles Howell, Julius Jones and William Pollard, in L842. It was 
a saw-mill only. A.bou1 1845, they sold it to McHarry. who erected a grist- 
mill on the south side of the creek. The building of this mill was an event of 
great interest to the people, and Mr. Hurley, who helped "'raise" the edifice. 
informed u< thai men came eighteen and twenty miles to lend their assistance, 

in order to have a mill nearer home than those in Fulton or .Menard Coui 

This mill \\a- afterward burned, when Mr. McHarry put up his present mill 
upon the same site. It is one of the best mills in Mason County; is a three- 
story frame edifice, with four run of buhrs, and is driven by water-power, which 

- not fail through the entire year. 

The first preachers in this section of the country were the Methodist 
itinerants, Peter Cartwright and Michael Shunk. The following incident is 

related hv Mr. 1 dieffenbacher, of the organisation of the lirst church BOCiety in 

the county: •• He spent a few weeks in the cabin of Jesse Brown, until he 

could get his own ready for use, and one day. while at work in the yard, a man 
rod.' up and asked him if they ever had any preaching there. He told him he 

had heard none since he left Pennsylvania. He was then asked if he would 
allow him to preach there. Dieffenbacher pointed to Mr Brown (who v 

very profane man . and told him that was the owner, that he had no hou» 

yet. The man then asked Brown if he might preach there, ami Brown told him 
that the women were getting dinner: if he would wait till after dinner, lie might 
preach, and in the mean time he would feed his horse. That man was Michael 
Shunk. and. after dinner, he preached to the four families (Dieffenbacher 's, 
Brown's, Eli Fisk's and Charles Howell's), who then i iposed the neighbor- 
hood. He left an appointment to preach there again in eight week-. Soon 
after this, several families arrived from Pennsylvania, among them Judge McRey- 
nolds, who built a residence, in which he set apart a large room for church 
purposes, and which was bo used until the erection of Dieffenbacher's School- 
house. This Bchoolhouse was used as both church and school edifice until 1 s 7 1 . 
when Mr. Dieffenbacher moved into the city of Havana, and other members 
united elsevi here. 

Pleasant Point Methodisl church is situated aboul two miles from McHarry's 
Mill, ami was huilt in I It i< a frame building, and cost about $2,000. 

There have been no services held in it for some ten years, owing to the tact that 
the road- leading to it have been fenced up. ami its communication with the 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNT V. f>l9 

neighborhood cut off. A law suit has been instituted for the purpose of re-open- 
ing them. Much of the early school history belongs also to Havana. Prob- 
ably, the first school in the township was taught by a daughter of Mr. Dieften- 
bacher's, in a board shanty put up by him for the purpose, and was patronized 
by children living four and five miles distant. This was finally superseded by 
theschoolhouse already mentioned as being so long used as a church. The town- 
ship has now some ten or twelve comfortable schoolhouses, besides the elegant 
brick in the city of Havana, so that there is no lack of school facilities, and a 
good common-school education is within the reach of all alike, both rich and poor. 

The first white child born in the township, and perhaps, in Mason County, 
was a child of Hoakum, who kept the ferry (Hoakum, not the child) for Ross, 
and occurred about 1829-30. The first deaths and marriages are not reniein- 
bered. The little mounds in the graveyard show where many pioneers sleep, 
but do not give the date of their demise. The present population would indi- 
cate that not only has there been a first birth, but many others have succeeded 
it. The early justices of the peace, doctors, blacksmiths, etc., are mentioned 
in the city's history. 

The railroads of Havana Township are the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville ; 
the Champaign, Havana & Western, formerly known as the extension of the 
Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, and the Springfield & North-Western. 
The last two mentioned terminate at Havana City at present, but all necessary 
steps have been taken to extend the line of the Champaign, Havana & West- 
ern to the Mississippi, and the work, we are told, will be commenced this fall. 
In addition to these roads, there are two or three contemplated narrow-gauge roads 
working this way, and will, doubtless, in time, reach this point. But as the 
railroad history is thoroughly written up by Gen. Ruggles, in another depart- 
ment of this work, we will not repeat it. 

Politically, Havana Township and City are Democratic. In the days of 
Whigs and Democrats, it was very closely divided in politics. During the war, 
the town was truly loyal and patriotic, and turned out many soldiers, not only 
"high privates," but officers to lead them to glory and to victory. A full history 
of their exploits will be found in our war record in another page, to which the 
reader is referred. The name Havana was given this city and township in 
honor of the city of Havana, in the Island of Cuba. Our forefathers, other- 
wise the early settlers of this section, seem to have had a penchant for famous 
names, as we have in this immediate vicinity Havana, Bath, Matanzas, Mos- 
cow, Liverpool, Point Isabel, Long Branch and lastly, the Island of Cuba 
itself. This is the island just above the steamboat landing, which presents 
now a kind of barren waste, but at the time of the early settlement of the 
country, was covered with a magnificent forest. Mr. Low and Mr. Krebaum 
informed us that when they first knew Havana, there were burr-oaks on that 
island, five and six feet in diameter, and cotton-woods a hundred feet in 
height, besides many other species. 



►20 BI8TOR1 OF M \- vi v. 



THE cm OF M.W \V\ 



Havana, the capital of Mason County, :i flourishing little city of about 
3,000 inhabitants, is situated on the Illinois River, on the Peoria, Pekio & Jack - 
irille Railroad, al the terminus of the extension of the [ndianapolis, Blooming- 
ton & Western and of the Springfield & North-Western Railroads, and is forty- 
miles from Springfield, forty miles from Peoria and two hundred miles 
southwest of Chicago. It was surveyed about 1827—28, and the town staked 
out by Stephen Dewey, for Maj. Ossian M. Ross, who had entered the land 
upon which it is located, and the plat recorded, in L835, in Tazewell County, 
to which this part of Mason County then belonged. Maj. Ross entered the 
land in 1827, and established a ferry across the Illinois River at this point, 
which has already been frequently mentioned in these pages. The firsl b 

hnilt in the present city of Havana, it" we may except a few rude hut- and a 

couple of block houses which had apparently been huilt a- a protection against 
the Indian- at a time ••when the mind of man runneth not to the contrary." 
was erected by Maj. Ross about the year Im^'.i. and is still remembered in the 

early history of the county. a- " II -- Hotel. 1 •' US th< many of 

the incidents which transpired here forty and fifty years ago. Within its histOl ical 

halls, the first session of Circuit Court was held after the organization of the 
county ; the first post office in Mason County \sa- established in it. and the 
first store in Havana occupied one of its rooms. It Btood "li the bluff, at the 
northwest corner of Market and Water streets, of Block 22 of the town plat. 

Ad<dph Krehauin own- tWO-thirds of the original lot and Alexander Stuart the 

remainder. The first private residence was also built by Ross where the Taylor 
House dow stands. It was a frame building, and. as we have said, the first 

residence, except the cabins already alluded to and the hotel. I'.ernhanl 

Krebaumalso built a frame residence soon after he came to the 'own. which 
the next after that erected by Ross. Maj. Ross also built sis cottages or small 
dwellings to accommodate new-comers to the future city. The first buil 
ted purposely for a storehouse was put up by N. J. Rockwell, on the i 

very near to where Mr. Myers hrich residence now stands. The t 

Was kept by Maj. ROSS in his hotel, and was in operation when the Krehaiims 

came in 1884. The next Btore was kept by Col. Holmes and John W. v. 
genton and also occupied a room in Rose Hotel, hut was rather a small affair, 

even for those primitive days. Rockwell W8S one of the early merchants, ami 
s\a-. perhaps, the next m the field after tle.se we have mentioned. Orrin 

I v kept the next hotel after RoSS, SB already mentioned. There are 
three hotels m the city. 1" ral restaurants. The hotels are the Taylor 

House, Mason House and the American House. The Taylor House, kept by 
that prince of landlord-. Hilly Morgan, is the leading "caravansary" of the 
town, the great resort of commercial salesmen and of the traveling public ."■n- 
erally. The other two are less pretention-, but have a good run of custom. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 521 

George Christian was the first regular blacksmith. Ross, who owned a I 
farm, kept a shop, but principally for his own work. Christian was here very 
early and entered land in the vicinity of Havana. In 1829, a post office was 
established at " Ross' Ferry," known at first, we believe, by the name of Tin- 
Ferry, with Ossian M. Ross as Postmaster. This was before the city of Chicago 
had a post office, and at a period when mails were usually carried on horseback, 
and letters cost twenty-five cents apiece at the office of deliverv. Although 
this office outranks the Chicago office in age, it has suffered the latter to out- 
grow it so far, that serious apprehensions are entertained that Havana will 
never overtake it. The genial 0. C. Easton is the present Postmaster General 
of the Havana office. 

At the time of the formation of Mason County, Havana was one of the three 
original voting precincts, and included all of that part of the county taken from 
Tazewell, extending from the north line of Mason as far south as the north line 
of Town 20. The first election in which the Havana Precinct cast a vote was held 
on the 7th of August, 1837.* A copy of the original poll-book, in possession of 
C. W. Andrus, is before us, and from it we learn that it was " an election held at 
the town of Havana, in the Havana Precinct, in the county of Tazewell, and 
State of Illinois," etc., and that it was for " County Clerk, Probate Justice of 
the Peace, County Treasurer and Notary Public." This old poll-book shows 
that there were twelve votes cast, as follows : Daniel Adams, Henry Shepherd. 
0. E. Foster, N. J. Rockwell, Anson C. Gregory, A. W. Kemp, B. F. Wig- 
genton, V. B. Holmes, C. W. Andrus, William Hyde, J. H. Neteler. (The 
last named sve are unable to decipher, it presenting an appearance of having 
been struck by a tornado.) B. F. Wiggenton and A. W. Kemp were Clerk-. 
At this election, the candidates voted for were John II. Morrison, for County 
Clerk ; Joshua C. Morgan, for Probate Justice of the Peace ; Lewis Pretty- 
man, for County Treasurer, and William H. Sandusky, for Notary Public. 
The validity of the election is attested by a certificate, duly sworn to by N. J. 
Rockwell, Henry Shepherd and Daniel Adams, "Judges of the Election." 
The vote of the city and township of Havana has increased somewhat since 
the holding of the election above described. The aggregate vote now, when 
interesting questions call out the " sturdy yeomanry," is not far from eight 
hundred. 

The first Justices of the Peace of whom we have any account were Eli Fisk 
and A. W. Kemp. They were commissioned as such before the organization of 
the county. Daniel Adams and Isaac Parkhurst were also early Justices of the 
Peace in Havana Precinct. Such a formidable array of legal luminaries is 
probably due to the fact that Havana, in an early day, was surrounded by some 
rather hard characters. Fulton County, we are told, used to come over in force, 
and, in lieu of the handy revolver of the present day, would bring billets of 
cord-wood with which to pelt their foes. To such an extent was this pastime 

* Havana was then in Tazewell County, as Mason was not created until 1841. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

carried, that Point Isabel, a promising tillage that once Btood on the opposite 

if the river from Havana, was known far and Dear as I > 1 ly Point," 

ami the melees that occurred within it* limits were somewhat on the Donny- 
brook order. And then, too, the natives from Salt Creek timber and the San- 
gamon bottoms would pay an occasional visit to Havana, always making mat 
lively while they remained. There is still a prevailing tradition that J< sae 
Baker (peace to his ashes ! we intend no sacrileg raided the town, and 

conducted himself with Buch a high hand thai Mr. Andrus was appoint* 
posse comitatus to arrest him, a duty he performed with | - It is, 

however, due to the honor and credit of Havana to state that these "turbulent 
spirits" were usually from abroad, and that Havana's own citizens were of a 
most honorable and law-abiding character, traits that have come down and 
are deeply seated in the present generation. 

The first brick house erected in the present city of Havana was a store- 
house, built by J. II. & 1>. P. Hole, in 1857. Prior to this, the buildings, 

with the exception, perhaps, of the Court House and Jail, were of W 1. In 

the Bame year (1857) William Walker erected a brick residence, the first of 

that kind in the place. Since that date, many substantial, and even elegant 
residences have been built which would be no disgrace to a much larger city. 

The claSS of business houses are good, and indicate to the Stranger an idea of 

energy and enterprise, as well as business prosperity. Although making no 
pretensions to a wholesale trade, nor claiming to be a manufacturing city, 
Havana commands a large and flourishing retail business, and hut for its dose 
proximity to Pekin and Peoria, might become an extensive manufacturing 
town. 

HILLS, MANUFAOTOBira, BTO. 

The first mill in Havana was commenced by Thomas ami Kliphaz Low. 
Before its completion, Pulaski Seville bought an interest in it. and. after 
finishing it. they operated it for a time, when Scoville bought out the 1. 

Francis Low had money invested in it. He tells the following Btory of his 

experience while interested in the lni -i m — : He and Scoville were cutting 

saw-logs over in the bottom one Bpring, when the river was very high, and the 

bottom overflowed to the depth of several feet. They Would low their boat to 
a tree. Cable fa-t to it. and then cut the tree down, always cutting on the side of 
the tree first in the direction they supposed it would fall. They attacked | 
large oak one day. in their boat, BS usual, and where the water WSS about six- 
feet deep. Scoville thought the tree would fall one way. and Low thoughl it 
would fall the other: hut Scoville, who wasasomewhat determined man. would 
have his way. Finally, however, when the tree tell, it wont down m tin' oppo- 

direction to that which Scoville thoughl it would. Low looked up and saw 

it coming, and called to Scoville to get out of the way. On,- jumped from 
each Bide of the hoat into the water, and it Was cold as ice. while the tree came 

down on their hoat. Bhivering it to splinters, leaving them in a worse fix than 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 523 

Crusoe on his island. Fortunately for them, there were two oilier men cutting 
logs in the bottom within hearing of them, who came to their rescue. 

This mill was used for sawing only, and was located at the foot of the 
"Island of Cuba," or rather opposite the foot of the island, and was run by 
steam. Upon it was sawed the timber used in building the first railroad in 
Illinois, as noted elsewhere in this history. There was machinery procured at 
one time for a grist-mill for this establishment, but, we believe, was never put 
into it. The mill was employed mostly in sawing heavy timbers, such as are 
used in large buildings, and was patronized to a considerable extent by Alton 
and St. Louis. It was finally burned down. There are hints that its destruc- 
tion by fire was due to the feud engendered between Havana and Bath in 
regard to the county seat question, but those who are informed on the subject 
and have a right to know, scout the idea, and maintain that it was accidental, 
which theory is doubtless the correct one. 

About 1857-58, William C. Thompson put up a distillery on the corner <>f 
Plum and Jefferson streets, which he operated successfully for a number of 
years. To it was attached a corn-mill for the purpose of grinding material for 
the distillery. Before the erection of the distillery, Thompson had carried on 
a brewery for a time near the same place. In both ventures he made money, 
and finally built a large flouring-mill on the site of the present Havana Mills, 
north of town, which was burned about 1864-65. He then erected the 
Havana Mills, now owned by F. S. Coggeshall. About 1867-68, he sold these 
mills to James Hole and his son-in-law, Thomas Jones, and built another large 
mill over the river. After some changes in ownership, the Havana Mills 
passed into the hands of Mr. Coggeshall, as above noted. They comprise a 
frame building, excellent machinery and three run of buhrs, together with all 
other attachments of a first-class mill. 

The Havana Brewery, located a little south of the city limits, and operated 
by Dehm & Hoffman, is quite an extensive establishment of the kind, and does 
a large business in the manufacture of the favorite beverage of the Fatherland. 
This and the mills mentioned, together with a large number of wagon, black- 
smith shops, etc., comprise the extent of Havana's manufacturing interests. 
It seems to us, however, that the city, with the benefit of its railroads and the 
Illinois River, presents an excellent opening for enterprising business men and 
mechanics, and that there are not at least agricultural implement manufac- 
tories, if no others, is to us a matter of some surprise. This would keep a 
large sum of money at home that is annually taken out of the county for these 
indispensable articles. 

The grain trade of Havana is the most extensive business of the entire 
county, and dates back almost to the very first settlements. In looking up the 
history of the grain interests, we find that Pulaski Scoville bought 1,00Q 
bushels of corn from a Mr. Reese, "who lived where Virginia now stands," 
and 1,'200 bushels from James Walker, at Walker's Grove. This was away 



524 HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 

back in the thirties, and then corn could he bought for In rent- a bushel. : 
in "sto re truck " at that. One of the first firms who made the handling of 
a regular business, was II. W. McFadden ft Co., who are still prom- 
inently engaged in it. They commenced in l s »')-'l. and are among the heaviest 
dealers in this section. Low vv Foster are another able firm, and are extensive 
dealers, and handle inure grain, perhaps, than any other firm in Mason or 
Menard County. C. <>• Krebaum is another grain-dealer of Havana T 

three firms are the principal dealer-, and DO tOWD in Illinois, perhap-. of the 

size of Havana, ships as large amounts of grain annually. We endeavored to 
obtain Borne statistics of the grain handled and Bhipped at this point, but were 
unable to do so, and mUBl let it pas- with tlii> brief" DOti 

The banking business was commenced in the city of Havana about 1" 
55, by Rupert Haines & Co., 0. II. Wright forming the company. S 
time after this, a bank was Btarted by an old gentleman whose name is now 
forgotten. . He had for his cashier a man named Littlefield, and it is told of 

him that when a customer would make a deposit, he i Littlelield i would take the 
money and go and " tight the tiger" until it was gone, when he would return 
to his post and be ready for another deposit. As :i natural consequence, the 
bank did not last long. George Walker also did a banking business for a fen 
. beginning aboul I860. In L862 63, Kemp \ Cappel opened a bank, 
winch, in 1866, became the firm of McFadden, Cappel & Kemp, and bo con- 
tinued uiiti) the death of Kemp in 1< S '»7. Since that date, the firm has been 

McFadden ^\ Cappel, and their establishment is known as the Mason County 

Hank. 

The Havana National Hank was organized May 17. l s 7-"<. with Francis 

Lou as President; A. Otto, Vice President; N. C. King, Cashier; Thomas 

F. Lou. Teller. The officers are -till the saim . except the Vice Preside!) t. 

which position is now held by E. B. Harpham. 

RELIGIOUS, BENEVOLENT, BD1 C VI [OH M .. 

The religious history of Havana dates back almost to it- first settlement. 

The itinerant preachers of the Methodist Church, those pioneer soldiers of the 

18, who are always to be foiind on the verge of civilization, were here at an 

early day. Rev. Michael Shunk, whose name appears bo often in the early his- 
tory of Methodism in this section of tl ■ 3 was, perhaps, the first regular 
preacher in Havana City or township. The following extract from the mn 
of the Illinois Annual Conference, seems to us appropriate in this connection: 
14 Brother Shunk was born at Berlin, Son I . Penn., April J'J. 1809; 
was converted at Mason town, Penn., in 1829; received into the Qlinois Con- 
ference in 18 Brother Shunk was ordained Deacon in l 
and Elder in 1841, by Bishop Morns. He was a pattern to all in bis charac- 
teristic promptness to meet all his ants. N- condition of weather or 
roads kept him from his appointment-. He was Scriptural and earnest in bis 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 525 

preaching, and a faithful Pastor, taking special pain's to care for the children, 
both in the family and Sunday school. He was deeply interested in Methodist 
literature, circulating periodicals and books largely among his people, being 
himself a subscriber for the New York Advocate from its first issue." 

Reliable data as to the original organization of the Methodist Church in the 
city of Havana, are somewhat meager. The minutes of the Conference from 
which we have quoted above, note the fact that Mr. Shunk had charge of the 
Crane Creek Circuit in 1838, which then embraced not only Havana Town- 
ship, but a larger scope of country than the present county of Mason. It also 
shows him in charge of Havana in 1846. The first church of the Methodist 
denomination, however, was built in the city about 1845-46, and was the first 
church edifice within its limits. The society was organized some time. prior to 
the erection of the building, but particulars of its exact date appear unattainable. 
This building served as a temple of worship until 1865, when the present 
elegant building was erected at a cost of about $12,000. Upon the erection 
of the new church, the old one was sold to Dr. Paul, who used the lumber him- 
self, but sold the frame to a man living in the eastern part of the county for a 
barn. This man died before putting it to that.use. Rev. George M. Fortune is 
the present Pastor of the Church, which has about one hundred members. The 
Sunday school was one of the first organized in Havana, and has an average 
attendance of one hundred and fifty children under the superintendence of 
Charles L. Harpham. 

The following sketch of the Reformed Church is by the Pastor, Rev. George 
Seibert, and is so well written that we deem no apology necessary for giving it 
in his own words: "The history of the Reformed Church carries us back to 
the early settlement of this country for, as early as 1630, adventurers emigrated 
to this country under the immediate patronage of the Dutch West India Com- 
pany, which had, in 1623, commenced operations, and, in 162<>, set up the ensign 
of authority by erecting a fort at the confluence of the North and East Rivers. 
The Puritans were driven to seek a home in this country by persecution. The 
Hollanders came from a love of enterprise, and though there was every temp- 
tation to leave their religion behind in the pursuit of wealth, we find that they 
did not forget the intellectual and moral necessities of their nature, paying 
early attention to the culture of their children, and the public worship of God, 
by making ample provisions for both in the organization of churches and schools, 
modeled after those of the Netherlands. 

" The subject of a church organization here in connection with the Reformed 
denomination was under consideration as early as 1859. The Rev. Van Denver 
of the Reformed Church came to Havana under the auspices of the Board of 

Domestic Missions, in August, L859, and preached in Andrus' Ball tog 1 

congregations for several months. He organized what is known a^ the * Old 
Union Sabbath School.' After Mr. Van Derveer left, Rev. Mr. Joralmon 
came and preached for a short time. In 1865, the Rev. Mr. Williamson 



526 HISTORY OF M \-"n OOUNTY. 

came wad organised what is known as the Reformed Church of Havana. Al i 

,ii:_ r held ] 31, \^><~>. in Andrus' Hull, for the pur- 

>f forming a church, Rev. Uriah l>. Gulick, by direction of the CI 
of Illinois, presided, and proceeded to examine candidates for church fellowship. 

following persons were received by certificate: Dr. Thomas M. Hi_ 
and Clars Strong, bis wife: Harriet Russell, wife of William Caldwell; Rob- 

.. Durdy and Angeline, his wife, and Rebecca I. Rahauser, wife of Joseph 
Cochrane. On confessioD of faith: Isabella Trent, wife of Robert S. Mo 
Benjamin II. <»ti« and Anna Mann, his wife, ami Joseph Cochrane. In the 
summer <>f 1870, the corner-stone of the present edifice was laid under the 
direction of the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Decker. The church was dedicated in Janu- 
uarv. l s 71. with proper ceremonies. The building cost $5,575.25, of which 
. was ra and$2;000in Havana. The church is an ornament 

to the city, anda credit to the architect and builder. The present Pastor, Rev. 
Seibert, came in March, l s ~:'>. The Church has received sine* 

aization in 1865, seventy-four members, of whom about thirty-nine remain 
in communion. The Sabbath school was organized in May. L869, and has 
been actively engaged in its legitimate work without interruption up to the 
present time. It has an average attendance of 100 scholars. The church has 
been the home of many who came from other parts of the country, having in its 
membership representatives from nearly all denominations, and is noted for 
its adherence to the teachings of the Divine Word, and zealous in every good 
woul and work." 

The Baptist Church was organized in Havana July 14. I s J'.', with the fol- 
lowing original members : Henry Humphrey. S. G. Baldwin, Elizabeth Bald- 
win, Joseph Brown, Lydia Brown Andrew Britton, Eunice Britton, Anna and 

. II well. The first preacher was thai veteran and pioneer Baptist minis- 
ter of Central Illinois. Rev. J. L. Turner. The church, a frame edifice, 

built in l - , cost of $4, and is without a regular preacher at present. 

The Church membership is sixty-three. The Sunday school was organized 

mber -. \^*'<>'>. and has at present an average attendance of about one hun- 
dred and twenty children, under the superintendence of John W. Jones. The 
different Pastors who have had charge of the church since its organization are 
lows: Revs. J. L Turner. J. II. Daniels, V. W. [ngmire, M. P. Ilartly. 
.1. M. Wells, J. M. Winn, J. L Irwin. >.-.. C. K. Bristol, R. B. Coon, Sr., 
and Homer ES. Morton. 

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organised on the 27th of 
January, I *•">'». by the R n. Jacob Schaererand William Bauermeister, according 
to the rules and regulations of tl gelical Lutheran ' reneral Synod, of which 

they were members. Befon the rganization of this Church, the Germans in ami 
around Havana wi I by an old minister named Bartels, who preached now 

and then at their residences. The original members of the Church were J. H. 

• 1 ! 



DISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 527 

Dierker. Fr. Weber, John Peter Kingshaus, H. Beselbeke, Fr. Speckmann, 
John Kohrmann, J. W. Holzgraefe, G. Wueste, N. and D. Vortraann, .) 
Nies, John Dierker, G. Himmel, I. Himmel, Israel Drone, Simon Franken- 
field, Herman Tegedes and John Somenmeier. On the 2d of December, U 
the congregation resolved to build a church edifice, and, accordingly, a petition 
was circulated by the first Board of Trustees, viz.: J. H. Dierker, 1. Himmel, 
G. Himmel, Fred Speckmann and William Holzgraefe, stating that they had 
secured a lot from Lewis Ross for the sum of $60 — whereupon he and Mr. 
Walker had presented them with $55, Ross having given $30 and Walker 
$25, and that the remaining $5 had been paid by the said Board. The build- 
ing was commenced April 14, 1851, and finished and formally dedicated June 
1, 1851. The following are the Pastors since organization ; Revs. Kobmann, 
1850-52, Hunderdose, 1852-53; P. S. Staiger, 1854-57. During a brief 
vacancy occurring at this time, the congregation was administered to by Revs. 
G. Grau, of Beardstown, and Reis, from Arenzville, when Rev. A. Tisraer 
came, on the 1st of May, 1859, and remained until 1862; Peter Daniel, 
1862-64 ; A. Recker, 1864-72 (during his administration, the church building 
was repaired and a vestibule and steeple added, also a little schoolhouse adjoined 
to the parsonage in 1867). V Sunday school was organized in 1868. Rev. G^ 
Gerken, 1872-78, and Rev. Johannes Heiniger from 18th of August, 1878. to 
the present time. A change in the Synodical Convention took place in ISiiT. 
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Illinois was separated into two parts, one 
part accepting the name Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Illinois and other States, 
and the other the Evangelical Lutheran Central Illinois Synod. Rev. A. Recker 
and this Church joined the former. This change required a re-organization of 
this Church, which was accomplished by Rev. G. Gergen. A new constitution 
was adopted March 16, 1873, and signed by the following : J. H. Dierker, 
Henry Emme, Herman Uthmueller, Henry Hackmann, Louis Telle, Charles 
Telle, Robert Becker, Andrew Dehm, Leonard Dehm, George Dehm, J. C. 
Dehm, Fred Dehm, Louis Emme, Henry Ilahn. Henry L. Hahn, Louis Halm,. 
Philip Rubenkonig, William Uthmueller, H. G. Lienisch, Ernst Behre, Leon- 
hardt Schwenk, Peter Meireis, William Wepener, llernhard Wittwer, J. II. A. 
Laumeier, Henry Buhrmann and Herman Hackmann. Improvements have 
been made in the schoolhouse, as well as around the church edifice, and a new 
organ purchased. There are at present about one hundred and fifty communi- 
cants, sixty to one hundred Sunday-school and forty to fifty day school 
scholars. 

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church was built about the close of the war. 
Prior to this, the few scattering families in ami around Havana were occasion- 
ally administered to by visiting priests from Pekiu and Peoria. About the 
time of the building of the church, a mission society was formed, which was 
attended once a month by a regular pastor until the beginning of 1 S 7 S . when, 
under the administration of Father Ruby, the present neat little parsonage was 



BISTORT OP M kSOH I OUNTT 

erected adjacenl to the chapel. Father Ruby was sacceeded in the pastorate 
by Father Devino, whose sad and untimely death by drowning i- still fresh in 
the memory of our readers. After the death of Father Devine, which occurred 
in the early part of the present summer, Father Henry D was called to 

the charge, and, at the present writing, is the Pastor. Every alternate Sunday, 
lie administers to the society at Manito. This Church has a membership of 
about forty families, and a flourishing Sunday Bchool. 

Havana Lodg . N 88 L, F. \ A. M., was chartered 8, 1850, 

and the following were the original members: ( > "ce Wrijrhl H. Wil- 

son, Moses Baldwin, Robert McReynolds, Robly Patterson, Gustavus V^igrus 
and Mahlon G. Carter, of whom George Wright was Master, George R. Wilson, 
Senior Warden, and M Iwin, Junior Warden. The charter vras Bigned 

by Most Worshipful W. C. Bobbs, Grand Master, and W. T>. Warren, Grand 
Secretary. Old Time Lodge, No. >>'-■*. was formed by M. W. G. Eleynolds, 
Grand Master, and <>. II. .Miner, Grand Secretary, by members from Havana 
Lodge, No. v s as follows: L. M. Hillyer, Elijah Snyder, G. A. Blanchard, 
.1. F. Coppel, C W. Knmictt. W. S. Dray, A.nson Low, J. 15. Jimerson, C. C. 

er, N. Gary, II. Middlecamp, F. Pollitz, J. I. Tinkham, George Werner, 
II. R. Cleaver, fl. A. Fager, J. W. Lyke, J. L. Walker. W. II. Webb and 0. 
II. Wright. The first eight names, in the order mentioned, comprised the first 

On the 1 1th of February. l s 77. Havana I. ■■,_•. \ v "\and 

old Time Lodge, No. 629, were consolidated under a charter issued by Most 
Worshipful Joseph Bobbins, Grand Master, and countersigned by Right Wor- 
shipful John F. Burrell, Grand - iry, as Havana Lodge, No. v> . A . F. & 

A. M. It was formally organised and set to work by Right Worshipful Luther 
Dearborn, as proxy of the Grand Master. The following were the first officers 
under consolidation : II. W. Lindley, Master; E2. A. Wallace, Senior Warden ; 
L. R. Haack, Junior Warden ; Charles Schill, Treasurer; L. W. Ross, Secre- 
tary; 8. F. Kyle, Senior Deacon; II. II. Nortrup, Junior Deacon, and 
William Davies, Tiler. The present officers are: II. W. Lindley, Mw 
Daniel Brown, Senior Warden ; George McHose, Junior Warden; Charles 
Schill, Treasurer; 0. II. Harpham, Secretary: L. R. Haack. Senior Deacon; 

B. P. fates, Junior Deacon, and William Davies, Tiler. As a coincidence 
with the number (88) of th< I. Ige, its membership at present is also eighty- 
eight. 

Havana Chaj B iyal Arch Masons was organized under dispensation 

\u_'u-t :'.. 1865, ; M si Excellent W. M. Bgan, Grand High Priest, and, in 
<»ctoher following, ii was chart- ; as Havana Chapter No. 86, with the follow- 
ing members: 1.. M. Hillyer, M.'.E.'.Higfa Priest; 'i. R. Wilson, B.*. 
King; A. Bi .Scribe; C. W. Emmett, Captain of the II"- - : J. 1-'. 

Coppel, Principal Sojourner; B.Snyder, Royal Arch Captain: G. A. Blanch- 
ard, II. A. Fager and B. B. Laughton, Masters of theVeils; S. Frankenfeld, 

Treasurer: L. Zolman, Secretary ; [saac I.. Tinkham. Tiler, and N. Gary, W. 




TO 



</>///;/ >;//^y/5 



mason c/ry 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 531 

H. Webb, J. M. Shook and A. T. Beck. The present membership is fifty-one, 
■with the following "companions" in office: 0. H. Harpham. M.-.E.-.High 
Priest; L. R. Haack, E.-.King; George H. Sandford, E. -.Scribe; A. T. 
Beck. Captain of the Host; E. A.Wallace, Principal Sojourner: Daniel 
Brown. Royal Arch Captain; II. A. Fager, Treasurer: II. W. Lindley, Secre- 
tary, and William Davies, Tiler. 

Havana Council, No. 40, Royal and Select Masters, was organized under 
dispensation December 12, 1867, with the folloAving members: J. F. Coppel, 
T.-.I.-.G.-.M.; C. W. Emmett, Deputy; H. R. Cleaver, P.-.C.-.W.: W. S 
Dray, Captain of the Guard; J. W. Lyke, Treasurer; H. W. Lindley, Re- 
corder, and W. H. Webb, E. B. Laughton, J. W. Kelley and J. L. Irwin. It 
was chartered at the meeting of the Grand Council in October, 1868. Coun- 
cil and Chapter Masonry were consolidated by their respective Grand Bodies 
in October, 1.^77. 

Damascus Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templar, stationed at Havana. 
was organized under dispensation February 10, 1872. The following were the 
original members: Eminent Sir Luther Dearborn, Commander; Sir Lewis 
Keyon, Generalissimo ; Sir J. F. Coppel, Captain General ; Sir L. M. Hillyer, 
Prelate : Sir C. W. Emmett, Senior Warden ; Sir H. G. Belke, Junior War- 
den ; Sir H. A. Fager, Treasurer ; Sir Charles Doering, Recorder ; Sir I. J. 
Fasen, Standard Bearer ; Sir P. S. Anno, Sword Bearer, and Sir 0. H. Harp- 
ham, Warder. The dispensation was issued by Right Eminent Sir \Y. M. 
Egan, Grand Commander of the State, and at the meeting of the Grand Com- 
mandery in the following October, it was chartered under the above number 
and title. At the last annual report the roster showed thirty-two members, 
with Eminent Sir 0. H. Harpham, Commander ; Sir L. R. Haack, Generalis- 
simo : Sir E. A. Wallace, Captain General ; Rev. Sir G. M. Fortune, Prelate; 
Sir N. Siebenaler, Senior Warden ; Sir Charles Schill, Junior Warden ; Sir 
II. A Fager, Treasurer; Sir Charles Doering, Recorder: Sir William Davies, 
Standard Bearer ; Sir 0. H. Shearer, Sword Bearer ; Sir W. H. Lindley, 
Warder, and Sir Isaac N. Mitchell, Captain of the Guards. 

The Masonic Fraternity, in company with Anson Low, are at present 
engaged in the erection of a large and commodious brick building on Main 
street, the first story belonging to Low and the upper part to the fraternity. 
The building is 37x76 feet; the main hall of the Masons will be 30x60 feet, 
-with all the necessary anterooms, offices, etc. The Masonic portion, when 
finished off ready for occupancy, will cost about $3,000, and will be used by 
the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery in common. The building will be 
an excellent one, and an ornament to the city, while at the same time it gives 
to the Masonic fraternity a beautiful home. 

Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted April 4, 1864, by Thomas 
J. Burns, D. D. G. M. The charter members were as follows : Edwin Rut- 
ledge, David Corey, Hugh Lamaster, John Hair and D. J. Waggoner. The 

T 



HIST0E1 OF M JJBOK COUNTY. 

charter was signed by William Rounsaville, Grand Master, and S. A. Cornean, 
Grand Secretary. The first officers elected were Edwin Rutledge, Noble 
Grand; David Corey, Vice Grand: X. J. Rockwell. Treasurer, and M. Dear- 
born. Sen etary. The membership at present is fifty, with the following offi- 
cers: Thomas V>. Kettell, N. Gk; William Rodecker. V. G. ; L. R. Baack, 
Treasurer: Thomas Covington, Secretary; John S. Kirk, Con.; 8. A. Mar- 
dock, Warden: A. 11. -bun-. I. (i.: P. B. Geary, 0. G. ; A. T. Beck, R. S. 
N. Gk; F. S. Coggeshall, L. S. N. G. ; Thomas Sea. K. S. V. G.; George 
Schemerhorn, L S. V. G.; George Geary, R. S. S.; W. P. Sigerson, L. S. 8.; 
I.. 1!. Baack, Representative to Grand Lodge. 

State Encampment, No. 34, 1. 0. 0. F., was instituted May 1, 1856, by 
John W. Shinn, 1». D. <i. P., with the following charter members: L. F. Ross, 
D. J. Waggoner, R. S. Moore, J. C. Kemp, dames Boggs, C. W. Emmett, R. 
R. Simmons and John Covington. The charter was signed by Horace G. 
Anderson. M. W. G. 1\. and Samuel Willard, Gr. Scribe. The first officers 
were L V. Ross, , P. : R. S. Moore, H. P. ; James Boggs, S. W. ; C. W. 
Emmett, Treasurer; John Covington, Scribe, and R. H. Simmons, J. W. The 
present officers are Thomas Covington, C. P.; A. T. Beck, H. P. ; A. II 
Jones. S. W. ; S. A. Murdock, Scribe; T. B. Kettell, Treasurer ; L. R. Baack, 
J. W.: C. R. Emmett, <;.; D. C. Metzgar, S. ; J. L. Rochester Ls1 W. ; John 
S. Knk. 2d W.; J. W. Boggs, 3d W. ; P. B. Geary, 4th W. : s. D. I; 
1st <i. ofT. ; J. Dunbar, 2d G. ofT. ; L. R. Baack, Representative to Grand 
Encampment. 

Havana Lodge, No. 748, Knights of Honor, was instituted September 17. 
L877. The following are the present officers: L. Aubere, Dictator; 1 
Kirk. Vice Dictator; II. Berbaok, Assistant Dictator; Thomas Covington, 
Reporter; <i. L. Bolzgraefe, Financial Reporter; E. Snyder, Treasurer ; George 
Seibert, Chaplain; II. W. Lindley, Guard, and II. Reynolds, Sentinel. 

SCHOoi.-. 

The first Bchool taught in Havana that is remembered by any of the old 
resident-, was by a man named Price, in 1836-37, and was taught in a little 
building located Dear where the Taylor House now stands. One of the early 
teachers, probably the next after Price, had a taste of the experience of Eggle- 
I i schoolmaster. Some of the mischievous young men. or boys, 

one morning Bet a tub of water over the door, and i it 

" Thai mi infant > touch ooold 
1 1- headlong pass ige dow n the 

Thus, when the to r came in. the opening of the door disturbed its equilib- 
rium, bringing down the foaming Niagara upon his devoted head. The finale 
of the matter we are unable to chronicle, but doubt not that it was in strict 
accordance with the prevailing custom practiced m the early schools, and i 

f the birch was brought into play upon the anregenerate perpetrators. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 533 

The first regular schoolhouse was built about 1837-38, on a part of the 
present public square. This house was used for a number of years, when a 
large brick was erected on the site of the present school building. Previously, 
however, the basement of the old Methodist Church was used as a schoolroom 
for several years. The present magnificent school building was put up in 1875 
and cost $30,000. It is well arranged for school purposes, and furnished with 
all the modern improvements in the way of school furniture. In addition to 
this building, there are primary schools taught both in the north and south 
ends of the city. The teachers for the year just commencing are as follows : 
Prof. T. W. Catlin, Principal, assisted by Miss E. M. Bean, Miss Margaret 
Hurst, Miss Theresa Bernell, Miss Nellie Wickizer, Miss Kate Paul, Miss Jen- 
nie Crane, Mrs. Sallie Heninger, Miss Effie Pierce and Miss Fannie Walker. 
The present is Prof. Catlin's fourth year as Principal. The schools of Havana 
have kept pace with the other institutions of this vicinity, and the citizens have 
good reason to feel proud of their excellence. Besides the graded system at the 
large brick schoolhouse, the city maintains primary schools in other portions of 
it, as stated above. 

VILLAGE AND CITY INCORPORATION. 

A local history of Mason County, published a few years ago, says that the 
town of Havana was incorporated in 1848, with E. B. Harpham, President of 
the Board of Trustees, and Fred Krebaum, Clerk, and that the first ordinance 
was dated March 2, 1848, and signed by them. We. together with Mr. Ket- 
tell, the present City Clerk, took a look through the city records, and, as a 
result of our investigations, found an act of incorporation dated 1853, in which 
the following were named as Village Trustees : N. J. Rockwell, S. E. Rogers, 
William Higbee, James Boggs and Joseph F. Benner. Of this Board, Boggs 
was elected President, Benner, Secretary, and Higbee, Treasurer. A. T. Low 
was elected Constable, and J. H. West, Street Commissioner. 

In 1873, it was incorporated under the general law as a city, and an elec- 
tion held April 15, for Mayor and Aldermen. The city was divided into three 
Wards and two Aldermen allowed to each Ward, who are elected for two years. 
That each Ward, however, may elect an Alderman each year, at the first elec- 
tion they were elected for one and two years. The Mayor, also, is elected for 
two years. The following is a statement of elections from the incorporation of 
the city to the present time : 

1873 — Hugh Fullerton, Mayor ; 0. H. Wright, City Attorney ; Isaac P. 
Price, Clerk ; Alex. Stuart, Treasurer. Aldermen — R. R. Simmons, August 
Schill, First Ward : Anson Low, O. C. Town, Second Ward; J. L. Randall, 
Jabez Dunbar, Third Ward. 

1874 — Q. H. Wright, City Attorney ; Isaac P. Price, Clerk ; Alex. Stuart, 
Treasurer ; W. H. Caldwell, Marshal. Aldermen — J. F. Coppell, First Ward ; 
W. G. Stone, Second Ward; W. H. Fenton, Third Ward. 



•">o4 BISTORT <>F MASON COUNTT. 

1875— Isaac X. Mitchell, Mayor; 0. II. Wright, City Attorney ; CD. 
Lindley, Clerk: J. II. Knobbo. Treasurer; John W. Patton, Marshal. Alder- 
men — L. R 1 1 . 1 1 ■ ■ k . First Ward; Peter Liridburg, Second Ward; J. W. U ■_:_:<. 
Third Ward. 

L876 — 0. H. Wright, City Attorney; H. II. Hanrath, Clerk; J. II. 
Knobbe, Treasurer ; J. W. Patton, Marshal. Aldermen — Max Meyer, First 
Ward; W. 8. Dray, Second Ward; Jabez Dunbar, Third Ward. 

Ivy; — |. y Coppel, Mayor; E. A. Wallace, City Attorney; II. K. 
Nortrup, Clerk; X. Siebenaler, Treasurer: J. M. Billyer, Marshal. Alder- 
men — Fred. Fette, First Ward; Peter Lindburg, Second Ward: J. L. Ran- 
dall, Third Ward. 

L878 — E. A. Wallace. City Attorney; II. K. Nortrup, Clerk; X. Siebe- 
nsler, Treasurer; J. M. Billyer, Marshal: I. S. Kirk, Police Magistrate. 
Aldermen — I. II. Kessen, First Ward; W. S. Dray. Second Ward; G-. II. 
Meyer, Third Ward. 

1-7'.'— W. II. Campbell, Mayor; 11. 1!. Nortrup, City Attorney; T. B. 
Kett.-ll. Clerk; Max Meyer, Treasurer; < ». II. Shearer. Marshal; I. S. 
Kirk, Police Magistrate; Philip F. Smith. Street Commissioner. Aldermen — 
Jesse Pipkin, First Ward: Anson Low, Second Ward; J. F. Kelsey, Third 
Ward. 

Havana City and Township, taken together, are Democratic in politics. In 
city and county offices, the spoils an- usually divided, thus promoting peace 
and harmony in the political family. While the Mayor, and. probably, all of 
the present city officers are Democrats, the Board of Aldermen are equally 
divided, there being three Democrats and three Republicans. In the county 
officers, the Circuit Clerk is a Republican, the County Clerk is a Democrat; 
the County Treasurer is a Republican ; the County Judge is a Democrat : the 
Superintendent of Schools is a Democrat; the County Surveyor is a Republi- 
can ; the Sheriff is a Democrat and the Coroner is a Republican. 

H\ a provision of the act of the Legislature forming the county of Mason, 
a vote was taken at the first election, for the purpose of determining the loca- 
tion of the -eat of justice. The two towns competing for the honor were Hav- 
ana and Bath, and. after a very exciting contest. Havana won the victory. It 

also decreed by the Legislature, in the original act, that the friend-; of 
each place voted for should firsl place in the hands of the judges of the election 

a note drawn to the order of the County Commissioners for $1,000, and 

also a bond making B donation of one block of lots or twentv acn 

land for the use of the county. The required note of $1.'"hi was drawn 
by N. .1. Rockwell, Pulaski Sooville, Lewis W. Roes and II. I.. Ross, and 
a bond was executed by L. W. and II. I. lb.—, donating a block of lots 
adjoining the public square. The inhabitants of Rath were eery much 
dissatisfied with the result of the election, and finally gol an act passed, in 1848, 

authorizing another election. This election took place in February, and 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 535 

resulted in making Bath the county seat, an honor it retained till 1851, when 
Havana succeeded in obtaining the necessary legislation to bring the question 
again before the people, and again Havana won the day. This probably settled 
the question for all time. With the railroads centering at this place, it is not 
likely that the county seat question will ever be again agitated. But a more 
complete history of the county seat war will be found in a preceding chapter. 

Although Havana as the capital of the county is a settled point, it is 
an established fact that its Court House is rather a dilapidated old rookery. 
The dingy building is bronzed with age and "tottering to decay," and, as seen 
from the street, its " gloomy and frowning walls" have more the resemblance of 
a prison than a Court House. But a redeeming feature of the place is the 
public square. It is well set in grass, and is filled with beautiful trees, which, 
when clothed in summer luxuriance, renders it not only a lovely but vei'y attract- 
ive place. 

The legal fraternity of Havana embraces a corps of gentlemen of marked 
ability. Among them are Dearborn, Fullerton, Lacey, Conwell, Campbell, 
Mallory, Wright, Wallace and others, all of whom stand high in the profession, 
and some of them have served with distinction in exalted positions. The med- 
ical profession is also ably represented, and a number of highly educated and 
experienced physicians zealously guard the health of the city and surrounding 
country. The merchants, too, are a class of enterprising, upright, energetic 
business men, and withal jolly good fellows. The city does not aspire to a 
wholesale trade, but enjoys an excellent retail business. 

Company F, stationed at Havana, and attached to the Seventh Regiment 
Illinois National Guards, with regimental headquarters at Peoria, was organized 
August 17, 1877. The following are the present officers : W. H. Webb, Cap- 
tain ; J. C. Yates, First Lieutenant ; S. F. Kyle, Second Lieutenant and S. 
A. Murdock, Orderly Sergeant. The company is about sixty-five strong, and 
composed of the young men of the city. The Captain, First Lieutenant and 
Orderly Sergeant served in the late war, and are the only members who have 
seen service. The remainder of the company are " fresh fish." 

The city press consists of two sprightly newspapers, viz. : The Democrat 
and Republican. The former is a four-page paper, conducted by Mounts & 
Murdock, and is all printed in Havana ; in other words, it has no patent side, 
as is the custom with so many country weeklies. The Republican is also a four- 
page paper, with -> patent outside," and is owned and published by F. Ketcham 
& Son. Each paper is devoted to the political party, whose name it respectively 
bears. As the history of the county press has been fully written up by Gen. 
Ruggles, we will not repeat that portion pertaining to Havana. We would, 
however, drop a gentle hint, to the effect that the newspapers of towns ami 
counties usually are not treated with the importance they merit. The county 
newspaper is the county's history. Even the advertisements it contains, in after 
years become matters of historical interest, and are of themselves historical 



536 BISTORT OP MASON COUNTY. 

It is. in our opinion, an oversight thai a copy of every newspaper pub- 
lished in a county is Dot filed away in the county offices for Future reference. 

The city of Havana is connected with the "State of Fulton" by a mag- 
nificent wagon bridge spanning tin' Illinois River at this, point, [t was built 
eight "i- ten on substantial stone piers at intervals, and cost originally 

aboul $60,000. A few years ago, it was sold under mortgage, and bought by 
McHarry, who now owns it. with the exception of a few share- of Btock owned 
by Capt. Bivens ami others. This bridge is an important link between Mason 
and Fulton Counties, and brings to Havana thousands of dollars of trade that 
Km for it would go elsewhere. 

The city cemetery of Havana is an excellent and beautiful location for a 
burying-ground, but has the appearance to as ,.f receiving less attention and 
beautifying than many similar places we have noticed in other cities. It con- 
tains the moldering remains of many of the pioneers of Havana City ami 
Township, and also many tine stones and monuments, and a few hundred dollars 
-pent upon it would considerably enhance it< beauty and improve its appearance. 

The little hamlet of l'eterville. located in the southern part of Havana 
Township, was laid out in lStis l,y Peter Thornburg, on Section 34, and con- 
tains a church, two or three shops, and perhaps a half dozen dwellings. A 
store was opened here about 1865—66 by Samuel Porter, and continued for sev- 
eral years, but at present the place boasts not of a single store. Thornburg & 
Decker carry on a blacksmith and wood shop. A similar establishment is 
operated by Benjamin Pulling. A church was built by the Baptist denomina- 
tion about 1862—63 under the pastoral charge of Rev. 1'. <■. Clarke, and 
some (1,400. At present, it is not used as a temple of worship, nor has it been 
for a number of years past, the original members having united with other con- 
gregation-. The house stands alone and deserted, a monument of departed 
glory. 

Sedan Station is a shipping point on the Springfield & North-Western Rail- 
road, in the southern part of the township, and consist- merely of a -ide track 
for shipping purposes. It has never been bud out a- a town, no)- even a house 
built on the spot. 

MASON CITI TOWNSHIP. 

uv .1. C. w ARNOCK, l 

The history of this township, contained in the following - gathered from 

- who lived cotemporaneous with the events recorded, and, by persona] ol 
vation, have become living witnesses to the preseni generation of the history of the 

past, and from these n F memory the traditional history of this town- 

ship may now be put upon perpetual record as the first link in the chain that 
shall be continued a- ages and generations succeed each other. In attempting 

the task, we are met on the very threshold with the fact that the devastating 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 537 

hand of time and the progress of art are remorseless and unsparing of primitive 
landmarks, however dear they may have been to a former generation and how- 
ever sacred the memories that cluster around them. With these facts before us, 
we have attempted to surmount the barrier by obtaining the facts and incidents 
from old residents who were personal witnesses of them, and whose recitals, cor- 
roborating each other sufficiently, establish the truth of the historical events 
herein recorded.- 

This township did not receive its present name until the county was organ- 
ized under the township organization law, in 1862, but up to that time was 
designated as by the surveyor's record, Township 20 north, Range 5 west of 
the Third Principal Meridian, and included within its boundary on the south 
side about seven and one-half miles of Salt Creek, that is, by following the 
course of the stream in its curvings and windings, and about three-quarters of 
a mile of Sugar Creek, and on the east about four miles of Prairie Creek. 
Toward the north, this stream takes a southwesterly course for about one-half 
mile, then a winding course south for about the same distance, when it turns 
east and leaves the township to return one mile farther south, now taking a south- 
westerly course until it reaches Salt Creek. The original survey, as appears 
from the "field notes," was made in the fall of 1823, and in conformity with 
an act of Congress, Section No. 16 was set apart for school purposes, and was 
and is yet known as the " school section," the proceeds of which became a town- 
ship school fund, from the interest of which the several districts now receive an 
annual income for the support of their public schools. 

At the time of the original survey, there was not a resident or habitation in 
the territory of the township, nor for several years after. The primitive blue- 
stem prairie grass was a marvel of luxuriant growth to persons unfamiliar wi*h 
such scenery, and to place a man on foot out in this unbroken and untrodden 
wilderness with no other outlook than the far-away heavens above, was to place 
him in a position from which it was almost as difficult to extricate himself as 
from mid-ocean Avithout rudder or compass, though not so perilous. Late in 
the fall, when the frosts had killed the grass, the great prairie fires would occur, 
which would be started by hunters shooting into the tinder-like material, or 
with the Hint, for matches were a commodity of civilization and inventive genius 
that had not yet reached these Western wilds. The grandeur of those prairie 
fh'es can only be fully appreciated by being seen. The flames, at times reach- 
ing high up toward the star-decked dome, and then, swooping down, gathering 
in their devouring grasp the grass fifty feet in advance of the main column, 
were to be admired and apotheosized from the rear, but to be feared and dreaded 
from the front as a fierce and powerful agent, dealing destruction to all that 
came within its reach. In the north half of the township, the surface of the 
land takes a gentle and regular decline toward t he south, and from this to the 
south line, it is somewhat broken by bluffs and ravines, but only a small portion 
so much broken as to be untillable. Salt Creek bottom was once considered a 



538 HISTORY Of MASON COUNTY. 

geological mistake of nature, and counted :i perpetual and irredeemable n 
because of its frequent inundation by the overflowing waters of Salt Creek ; 
hut. by kneeing, the last few years have demonstrated their Bafe and profitable 
cultivation, and a few more years will find the most prolific farms in the town- 
ship "ii these once discarded lowlands. Corn, wheat and oats are the principal 
agricultural products, but marly all the cereals, as well as the various fruits 
indigenous to the climate, are produced in great quantities. 

Coal exists in great quantities at a depth of 200 feet, in the north part of 
the township, and. at one point on the bluffs in Swing's Grove, there is every 
evidence of coal mar the surface. 

BABL1 SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement made in the township was by Isaac Bugle, in L830, at 
what is now the S. C. Donevan place, at the northeast side of Swing's Grove, 
ami. during the Bame year. John Powell built a round-log house on the west 

side of the place now owned and occupied by C. L. Stone, about one hundred 

yards southeast of W. S. Hardin's present residence. This rude hut was suc- 

1 by a bewed-log house built by Austin Melton iii L840, Powell having 

moved to Oregon. Here Melton lived until 1*47. and kept a ferry on Salt 

k, and for him Melton's Ford was named. From here, he moved to Mack- 
maw, and. after several year.-' residence there, went t<» Walker's Grove, in 
('ran.' Civck Township, where he died in the spring of l s 77. Mr. Melton 

was succe led as a resident at Swing's Grrove, in L847, by John Alkire, who 

built a frame house, which has long since been removed, and tin- site being culti- 
vated, hardly a trace of this landmark of early habitation remains visible. 

[saac Bngle, who, as before Btated, settled on the Donevan place, sold oul 

to Michael and Ahram Swing, in l s:> > s . when he moved to Fulton County, and 

died there some years ago. The Swing brothers were both unmarried at that 

tune. and. by a trade between them. Michael became Bole owner of the land 
which, op to 1840, they had held in partnership. The year 1846, Michael 

Swing was elected to the Legislature, and was the first nfember ever elected to 

that body from this county. lie served one term of two yean, and while at 

Springfield attending the session made the acquaintance of the lady who Boon 

afterward became his wife. Their wedded life was but a few years, for Mr. 
Swing died of the measles, the latter part of December, L852, at that place. 

although he had sold it to the Donevan brothers a couple of year- before, still 

occupying it. however, by renting. Mr. Swing was a surveyor, and taught 
school occasionally in addition to his other Bomewhat diversified business. The 
winter of 1851 52, he taught the district school at l'>i_ r Grove, going on horse- 
hack and returning home each day. a distance of six mile-, for the compen- 
sation of >1 per day. The present editor of the Mason City Independent was 
one of hi- pupils at that school. At his death, he left bis widow with one child, 
a daughter, who, upon reaching womanh 1. married T. M. Beach, Esq., a 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 53S> 

prominent lawyer, of Lincoln, Logan County, but she died a month or two ago, 
after only a few years of wedded life. The widow married a gentlemen named 
Cass, near Mount Pulaski, Logan County, some years ago, and he died. She 
was living with her son-in-law, Mr. Beach, at Lincoln, at the time of her 
daughter's death, and is still keeping house for him and taking care of her little 
grandchildren. 

The year 1840, Ephraim Brooner built a round-log house on what is now 
the Cease-Hubly place, about a quarter of a mile west of the old " Beebe place," 
now owned and occupied by John Appleman. Mr. Brooner died in 1841, and 
his widow married Rezin Virgin, one of the pioneers of Salt Creek Township, 
as will appear in the history of that subdivision of the county. Mr. Brooner 
was succeeded at that place by Robert Melton (brother of Austin, before men- 
tioned), and lived there until 1853, when his wife, himself and daughter died 
within the space of only a few months. From the death of his wife, Mr. 
Melton seemed to have lost all interest in this world, and gradually his life 
ebbed away in silent grief, and, in a few months, he, too, was no more. He 
held the office of Justice of the Peace several years during his residence there, 
and many amusing incidents of this early court are remembered by the 
proverbial "oldest inhabitant," some of which will appear in their proper 
order. This place of primitive habitation is now marked only by a few storm- 
wrecked and venerable apple-trees, which can be seen by the traveler as he 
passes along the public road to and from the Iron Bridge over Salt Creek. 

The year 1840 seems to have been favorable to the immigration of pioneer 
adventurers and home-seekers. Robert Melton and S. D. Swing, at Swing's 
Grove, and Stiles and Homer Peck, on Prairie Creek, settled in the township 
that year. S. D. Swing, now, and since 1860, a resident of Mason City. 
improved the greater part of the farm now owned and occupied by C. L. Stone. 
Having married Mary A. Sikes, daughter of Edward Sikes, Sr., an old set- 
tler of Salt Creek Township, Mr. Swing and his young wife settled there in 
1840, where, by years of toil and privation unknown to the beginners of life's 
matrimonial voyage nuw-a-days, they built up a beautiful home and valuable 
farm. Swing's Grove Cemetery, a beautiful location on a high point of Salt 
Creek Bluff, about one eighth of a mile southwest of the house, was set apart 
for that purpose by them, and consecrated to the dead by the burial there of 
their first-born, in 1846, since which time the public has used it as a repository 
for the remains of the departed, until this " village of the dead " now numbers 
its inhabitants by the hundred. Earlier burials were made at the place now 
owned by Malcom Robertson, and on a knoll in the west part oi the grove ; 
but only a few were buried in each, and they were entirely abandoned after the 
one given by Mr. Swing was started. Stiles and Homer Peck, brothers, made 
a settlement on Prairie Creek, in 1840, about a mile northwest of where the 
village of New Holland now stands. They erected there a water-power, saw- 
mill, and the mill-dam was used as a public wagon road in crossing the creek. 



540 HISTORY OP M 1.80N COUNTY. 

Although this saw-mill was a very small affair, it was by common usage and 
general consent a "signal station" from which "bearings" were given and 
taken to all surrounding points for many miles distant, and is yet relatively 
referred to bv old residents. As there were n<> means of estimating distances, 
the traveler in those day- was given the course from one point to another. \- 
this saw-mill, the pioneer obtained the sawed lumber with which to make the 
door-, door and window frames of his crude dwelling, and from which they 
obtained, after a few years' progress in aristocracy, the lumber to take the place 
of the primitive puncheon floor. A. S. Jackson, of Mason City, made a wal- 
nut table from lumber Bawed at that mill in 1843, which relic is now in pi - 
sion of Mr. Cooper, of that place. 

The reader will pardon the digression for a moment while we give a brief 
description of the dwelling-house of this early day. The usual size was 18x20 
feet, made of round logs, notched at the corners so as to make the logs fit as 
closely as possible together, and give strength to the building to withstand the 
frequent Btorms of wind which swept over the prairies with the violence of a 
hurricane. Chimneys were constructed of split sticks and clay, and were inva- 
riably placed on the west end or side of the house, so that the strong winds 
which nearly always came from a westerly direction, would be the 1" 

•ted. Those primitive domiciles all had a kitchen, sitting-room, parlor and 
bedroom — but all in one. At the usual mealtimes, it was all kitchen : on 
rainy days, when the neighbors of four or five miles away came in to have ■ 
chat abont the number of deer and wild turkeys killed since they last met, it 
was all sitting-room ; on Sundays, when the itinerant preacher was around, and 
the young men. with their •■ new jean-." paid their tender respects to the young 
ladies in their best "tow dresses," it was all parlor; at night, when the "wee, 
suia' hours" passed imperceptibly over a sleeping world, it was all bedroom. 
The crevices between the logs (the best that could be done to tit them were 
large, and. with all the chinking and daubing, afforded ample ventilation : a 
laughable illustration of which means of a ••free circulation." i> given by John 
Powers——" Irish John," as he was universally cognomened in the days of this 
incident. He now lives in a beautiful and substantial farm house aboul a mile 

south of Ma-. n City; but when he first went to housekeeping, about twenty- 
live years ago. he lived in a round-log house of the primitive pattern, a quarter 
id' a mile south of hi- present residence. This house was nor in any inclosure 
of fence, and was protected from cattle making too free of the premises, by 

dog-. One Sunday, he and his young wife went to spend the day with a 
neighbor; ami. while they were gone, the cattle gathered about his house and. 

with then- tongues, they pulled out of his bed. through the crevice between the 

logs, the -trav\ of hi- bed, and finished Up the day's -port by chewing the tick 

into the consistency of a cud. iii which condition he found his dormitory depart- 
ment on his return. These log hut- were covered with "clapboards" about 

three feet in length, and held to place by "rib poles" underneath and "weight 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 541 

poles" on the top of each course of boards. The floors were laid of puncheon 
slabs, split from three to four inches in thickness, and from six to eight feet in 
length. The top side and edges were hewed so as to make them as nearly level 
as possible, and fit close enough together to prevent the foot from going down 
between them in walking about the house. The fire-place was from four to 
eight feet wide, and supplied cooking facilities, heat to keep the inmates com- 
fortable, and light to do the night indoor work by. The jambs, in the proper 
season of the year, were decorated with strands of apples, cut in quarters with 
the peel on, and the joists bore a heavy burden of pumpkins, cut in rings and 
hung on poles. The bedsteads, were improvised by boring holes in the logs 
and driving in wooden pins supported at the inner end by upright pieces. 
This rude frame was interwoven with buckskin rawhide or bedcord, if the lat- 
ter could be had ; and with a tick of prairie hay and one of wild-goose feath- 
ers, our ancestors slept soundly and snored as contentedly as the people now 
do on veneered bedsteads, woven-wire mattresses and all the gaudy surround- 
ings of a high-toned bed-chamber. 

In 1846, John Douglas built a log house in the prairie, about a mile and a 
half west of Peck's Mill. This was the first house out in the prairie, and his 
venture so far from timber was looked upon as a daring one. The site of this 
habitation is now marked by a few dilapidated apple-trees, which are desolate 
monuments of the first settlement of this prairie. Mr. Douglas died a few 
years ago, and two of his sons, Ebenezer and William, now reside on good 
farms with their families, near the wild scenes of their boyhood days. A man 
named Tullis also settled on the place now owned and occupied by Alexander 
Appleman, about the same time that Douglas settled there. 

INCIDENTS OF PIONEER DAYS. 

The first school ever taught in this township was in the winter of 1846—47, 
in a log hut, near the county line, about a half-mile north of the site of New 
Holland. The name of the heroine who was destined to become immortal in 
history by this circumstance was Miss Sarah Ann Stephens, who afterward 
became the wife of Randolph Robins, and died in Kansas a few years ago. 
However insignificant and crude this school, it was the beginning of what is now 
justly and really the grandest and most prominent feature of our society, and 
of which we shall write in full and detail in its proper order. But at this time 
it is due the pioneer school teacher to say that he, she or they will be remem- 
bered in history with unfeigned gratitude for the labors and toils of these early 
days. The pioneer teacher who had to contend with the almost untamed spirit 
of the wild girls and boys of this wilderness, submit to being barred out of the 
schoolhouse on Christmas and New Year's mornings, until compromised with a 
"treat," trudge through the snow and driving storm for miles, in ''boarding 
around among the scholars," collect his money after his term was ended, in such 
installments as he could get, is deserving a prominent place in history. 



542 HISTORY OF MASON OOUMTY. 

Settlements now began to increase rapidly, and the log huts dotted tlie 
prairie with the habitations of the aggressive pioneers farther and farther out 
into the bonndless wilderness _ -. hitherto the undisputed home of the 
deer and wolf. The former ranged together in herds of Bometimee 
hundred, and the latter had cities of dens in the favorable locations, where they 
held their nocturnal orgies of yelps and howl-. Those prairie wolves were 
usually harmless, except as to domestic animals, for which they manifested a d 
irons fondness, and they were especially partial in the selection of the tender 
meat of lambs and pigs, when it was a matter of choice with them. llut. under 
certain conditions of hunger, and favorable circumstances of advantage, they 
would >how ;i disposition to attack the human family, illustrative of which i> the 
following incident, which occurred about the vein- 1 s d s : "John Auxier, who 
had been to Pekin with a drove of hogs made up by himself and several of his 
neighbors, and who had remained behind, as was the usual custom, until the 
hogs were slaughtered and weighed, started home on foot late in the afternoon. 
In assisting in the slaughter, he had received ;i cut in the arm. which hied con- 
siderably, and in crossing the sand ridge, which is now High street. Mason City, 
the wolves scented the blood, and immediately Bet n|> their characteristic howl, 
which was VS,, H understood by the pioneer to "mean blood " of some kind. This 
midnight declaration of war and no quarter, served to quicken Mr. Auj 
steps, and until he reached home on Sail < 'reck bluff he could hear the yelps and 
howls of his bloodthirsty pursuers as they gained upon, but, fortunately did not 
overtake him. 

Those hog-driving expeditions to Pekin, and Bath in the west part of this 
county, were always made in the winter, and usually at the coldest and 
disagreeable time of winter, but, notwithstanding the excruciating suffering from 
the cold, when the party got " thawed out " by the log-heap fire in the piom 
cabin at night, they were a> jolly a set as ever "cracked a joke or play 
trick.'" All the innate mi-chief ami pent-up devilment of their inherent ami 
individual natures came to the Burface on Buch occasions, and the nightly con- 
vivialities of the party would surpass the wildest conceptions of this -date and 
long-faced generation. 

In those days, going to mill was one of the dreaded burdens of our people. 
With the exception of a small horse-power corn-cracker, owned by Alexander 
Meadows, at Sugar Grove, there was uo mill nearer than the Mackinaw, in 
Tazewell County, aboul twenty miles distant, and it- regularity being dependent 
upon the Stage of water, and it- capacity deficient, a trip to mill meant any 

• of time from two days to a week. The people would borrow breadstuff of 
each oilier until the whole neighborhood was exhausted of the supply, and then 
they would each put in a "• grist, " and two or three teams would go together t<> 
mill, taking turn-. 

The administration of justice and execution of the laws in those days 
were done with the l.e-i intention-. I. nt in a way that would be regarded 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 543 

"irregular" nowadays. The Squire usually made up his decisions from his 
ideas of equity, and did not cumber liis mind much with the statute law. Etoberl 
Melton's court was the scene of many amusing legal contests, and during the 
resilience of Dr. J. Gr. II. Smith at Swing's Grove, from L848 to 1850, who was 
notorious for litigation, this courl was kept in almost constant session. One 
ludicrous incident is thus related : The prominent Constable in this section at 
that time was William Taylor, "Crooked-Necked Bill Taylor.'' as he was famil- 
iarly known. One day, while he and Dr. Smith were riding across the prairie 
together, the Doctor proposed to straighten Taylor's neck, and without the use 
of knife or any operation that would cause him pain. Taylor told him if he 
would do so. he would give him the pony he was riding, which offer was accepted 
by the Doctor, and the pony delivered into his possession that evening, and the 
time, a few days on. was fixed for the operation. When Taylor presented him- 
self at the appointed time, the Doctor took out Ins knife and was preparing to 
restore the perpendicularity of his patient's head, by cutting into the contracted 
side of his neck. This Taylor objected to. and a wordy and stormy conflict 
between physiological and anatomical science and the legal points of a contract 
ensued. Taylor preferred a crooked neck to one half cut off. and demanded his 
pony. This demand was peremptorily refused, and Taylor went to Squire 
Melton's and commenced a replevin suit against the Doctor to reeover his pony. 
On the day set for the trial, the whole neighborhood turned out to hear the case, 
for they knew there was "music in the air." from the known character of the 
contestants. Preliminary to going into trial, the parties went out and engaged 
in a pitched battle with such knives and cluhs as were conveniently at hand, 
after which they compromised the matter. 

However wild the country and those pioneers, those people, with hut few 
exceptions, were actuated by a spirit of justice and right as between man and 
man, and with these few exceptions, appeals to the law were unknown in their 
hu<ines> transaction- and settlements. Sometimes, unavoidable and honest dif- 
ferences arose with reference to the Ownership of cattle, hut these were usually 
amicably and satisfactorily settled without the intervention of courts. These 
disputes wore unavoidahlc from the fact that when grass came on in the spring. 
everybody would turn his cattle out to roam and grow. and. as was often the 
ease, the owner would not see them again until feeding time in the fall. In this 
interval, young cattle would grow and change color almost beyond recognition. 

In those days, and even down to the first half of the decade from 1850 to 
I860, wild game was plentiful. Deer and turkeys were here in large numbers, 
and wild geese and sand-hill cranes abounded in immense numbers, and were a 
devouring pest to the farmers, whose crops, the young wheat and ripening corn, 
in the fall, afforded food for countless thousands of these feathered foragers. 
They would retire to the ponds and creeks at night, and in their flight to the 
fields in the morning, and return to the " watering places " in the evening, 
the very heavens would seem to lower with a massive feathery cloud, and tie- 



544 HISTOID OF MASON CO! NTV. 

qoawking and screeching made a discord thai could not be surpassed by ■ 
united convention of all the bedlam inmates on the continent. 

RELIGIOl S BISTOKi . 

The professed religious devotees were in a decided minority in those days, 
hut there were enough to establish the foundation of the numerous relie 

ties which distinguish us as a moral people to-day. Private houses were 
used For religious services until Bciioolhouses afforded the accommodations. 
While these religious services were not conducted with the clock-work precision 
and machine worship of our later and more systematically refined worship, they 
had the merit of heart and soul devotion, which defied the adverse criticism of 
the world. The preachers wen- no1 college graduates, nor theological prod . 
but whal they lacked in mental force they made up in physical power, and they 
could be heard ;t mile away in favorable conditions of the atmosphere. Peter < !art- 
wright, whose eccentric and "bull-dozing " propensities gave him a continental 
reputation and notoriety, dispensed the < ;<>>|.c] to our pioneers frequently, and 
Bome of the incidents and anecdotes related by him in his autobiography find a 
location in this vicinity. Cotemporaneous with him was Peter Akere, non 
superannuated and retired, at Jacksonville, who was the very antipode of Cart- 
wrighl in mental characteristics, lie was a man of great ability, learned in 
theology, science and literature, and a master of elocution and oratory. Thirty- 
minute sermons were not fashionable in those days, and often this eminent divine 
would st 011 1 1 the citadel of Satan, and expatiate upon the beatitudes of heaven for 

four 1 rs at a time. So matchless was his eloquence, and invincible his ! 

that his audience newr tired or manifested restlessness during his discou 
To make it known thai "Old Pete AJcers " (for he was even then considered old) 
would preach at a given place on such a day, was to guarantee nearly the whole 

county a- an audience, if tin- weather proved favorable. A little later. John 1.. 

Turner, a Baptisl minister, settled weel of Crane Creek. He was a man of s 

abilities, and held a place in the hearts of the people here that ha- never been sup- 
plied by any ether minister. Wnen the angel of death visited a household, John 

I.. Turner was called upon to preach at the funeral, and. although a man of rather 
frail frame, he exposed himself t" inclement weather, and faced Btorms "f rain 

and sleet and -mm in answer to the call of di-tie— by hi- Stricken fellow-pion 

Of him it may may lie truly -aid. " He went aboul doing good." Levi Engle, 
of the Christian (Campbellite) faith, occasionally preached ;it Swing's Grove, at 

some private 1 -e. These irregular services were held at such time ami pi 

as the combination of circumstances would permit, until aboul 1850, when the 
settlement had become numerous enough t" organize church societies, which will 
he more definitely and systematically arranged under that special department oi 
this historical -ketch of the town-hip. 

• Ball-doting, w » oomm tlMn. batil - .ill th<- 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 545 

The population increased steadily, but not very rapidly, until 1856, when the 
project of the Tonica, Petersburg & Jacksonville Railroad assui 1 an earnest 

aspect by the survey of a random line during the month of July. This line 
barely touched the northwest corner of this township. The same year, in the 
fall, another line was surveyed, running almost parallel with, and less than a 
mile east, of the first. People Were led to helicVe that this second line Woiihl he 
the permanent and fixed one lor the railroad, and subscriptions were lavishly 
given, and bartering of lands among individuals was The order of the day. 
Imaginary towns dotted the line on almost every section, and the owners of the 
sites reveled in their sudden transition from poverty to affluence. Hut the-'' 
fickle dreams of fortune were dispelled a few months later, when the third line 
was run, and the road located thereon — where it now is, and is an important 
branch of the Chicago & Alton Railway. This line was. at this point, about a 
mile and a half east of the second line surveyed. Grading was commenced the 
summer of 1857, a numher of farmers working out their subscription of stock- 
in that way. The work progressed as well as the limited means and many 
unfavorable circumstances would admit, until the financial crash of 1859, when 
the work was suspended, except the completion and putting in operation that 
part of the road between Petersburg and Jacksonville, and was not resumed 
again until after the close of the war of the rebellion. But the certainty of its 
ultimate completion gave an impetus to immigration, that neither the financial 
crash nor the paralyzing influence of the war could very materially check. The 
heretofore vast expanse of unoccupied prairie was rapidly converted into corn- 
producing farms, and became one of the most prolific townships in the county 
for that king staple product of the west. 

TIIK CITY op MASON CITY. 

The land upon which .Mason City now stands was entered at the United 
States Land Office in Springfield, the year 1849, by an Irishman named William 
Maloney, who improved and settled on a forty-acre tract of his purchase adjoin- 
ing the present corporation line on the northwest. lie built a log Cabin thereon, 
the dilapidated remain- of w hich are -till standing, surrounded by a cluster of for- 
est trees. To protect his crop from stock running at large, he surrounded his 
forty-acre field with a sod fence, having no fencing material within his reach. 
Those sod fences, which were very common in the first prairie settlements, were 
made by digging a trench about two feet wide and two feet deep, throwing the 
dirt into a narrow and high ridge close on the inside, and then placing the sod 
remo\,<| in opening the trench carefully on top of the ridge, so that the grass 
would grow, and soon make a sod over the whole of it. thereby preventing it- 
being beaten down by the rains. Before the railroad was located, how- 
ever, George Strain, a man of wealth, an influential member of the Board of 
Directors, and with an eve to business, bought out .Mr. Maloney's land posses- 
sions, and laid out this town, embracing within the original plat l!4<» acres, in 



546 HI8T0BY OP M 180N OOUNTT 

.in oblong square of three-fourths of a mile in length, from north to south, and 
one-half mile in width, from easl to west. The survey was made in September, 
1857, '■. E. /. Hunt, assisted by John M. Sweeney, the plat of which was filed 
of record in the Circuil Clerk's office the 29th of thai month. There arc tliir- 
ty-seven full, and twenty-two fractional Mock- in the original town. The blocks 
are 320 feel square, and divided into fourteen lots each, twelve of which are 50 
xl50 feet, and two are 20x150, in the center of each block and extending 
and west, to correspond with the twenty-fool alley extending through each block 
north and south. The streets are eighty feel in width. The alle\ running 
through the blocks between Tonicaand Main streets, and extending from Courl 
to Pine Btreets, however, is an exception to the rule in thai it is forty feel wide, 
the additional twenty feel of width being taken from theeasthalf of those Mock-. 
which leaves the lots on thai Bide L30 instead of 150 feel in length. This wide 
alley serves asa eery convenienl thoroughfare and by-way when the streets are 
crowded. The lots arc numbered from north to south in each 1 >1< »«-k. commenc- 
ing at the northwesl Icorner, which brings \,<>\ 7 in the southwesl corner, 
Lol s in the northeast, and Lol 14 in the in the southeasl corner. An exception 
to this rule of numbering are the lots fronting Tonica street, on either side, 

■ 

between < 'ourl and Tine. The half blocks fronting this Btreet, in the limit jusl 
described, are divided into lots as foUows : The easl half of Blocks 13 and 16 
■ livid. •(! into twenty lots each ; the easl half of fractional Block 13 is divided into 
thirteen full, and four fractional lots; the wesl half of fractional Block 15 is 
divided into -i\ fractional and two full lots; fractional Blocks 8 and 12, and the 
easl half of fractional Block 14, divided into ten lots each. These lots and 
blocks are made fractional, because of the grounds reserved to the railroad com- 
pany, upon which the depol and grain elevators arc located. Block No. 30 was 
dedicated to the public by Mr. Strain, as a public square, and Block No. 
a park. The easl and south Bides of Block 13, east, north and west sides of 
Block I'"', ami the easl ride of Block IT. contain- all the mercantile business 

I Bes in the city now. Strawn's addition was surveyed by J. C. Warnock and 

plal filed of rrc.rd August v . 1866, Henry T. Straw n. proprietor, This addi- 
tion consisted of six blocks, laid off in conformity to the plan of the original 
plat. It is three Mock- in length from wesl to east, and two blocks in width, 
from north n> south, and lies mi the north side of the original town, com- 
mencing at tlic northwesl corner. Work having 1 n resumed on the 

railroad, called forth this addition. Elliott's Addition was also surveyed 
by J. C. Warnock, the same year, and the plal filed of record September 
25, 1866, Collin J. Elliott, proprietor. This addition consisted of three 
full and two half blocks, extending three and a half Mock- in length from 
easl to west, ami two blocks in width from north to Bouth. The streets 
and alleys correspond with those of the original plat, bul the Mock- are 
divided into tour lots each, especially designed for residences, with which 
it is mosl all now occupied, h lies on the north Bide of the original town. 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 549 

extending in length from Strawn's Addition cast to the northeast corner of tin: 
original town. 

Etosebrough's Addition was surveyed by Bentley Buxton and plat filed of 
record October 18, 1867, Benajah A. Rosebrough, proprietor. Tins addition 
consisted of two full, two half and one small fractional Mocks, laid out on the 
plan of Elliott's Addition, and is situated on the south side of the original town, 
hounded on the cast by the < '. & A. Railroad. 

Northeast Addition was surveyed by Bentley Buxton in the autumn of 
L867, and the plat was filed of record February 29, 1868, William G. Greene, 
of Menard County. Gov. Richard Sates ami John Mathers, of Morgan County, 
proprietors. This addition contains an area of eighty acres, and is divided into 
twenty full, four half and one fractional blocks. Its streets running east and 
west correspond with and are a continuation of those of the original town ; hut 
its streets running north ami south are only fifty feet wide. The alleys run 
east and west through the blocks. The blocks are divided into twelve equal 
lots each. The lots are numbered from east to west on the north side of the 
blocks, and from west to east on the south side, which brings No. 1 in the north- 
east corner. No. 6 in the northwest corner, No. 7 in the southwest corner and 
No. 12 in the southeast corner. This part of town is wholly occupied, so far 
as improved, by residences, except Block 11, upon which the beautiful new- 
brick schoolhouse is located. This addition extends from the section line on 
north side of Elliott and Strawn's Additions south, along east end of Elliott's 
Addition and east side of original town, to the quarter-section line midway 
between Elm and Arch streets. 

West Addition was surveyed by John R. Faulkner, and the plat filed of 
record September 29, 1868, George Straut, proprietor. This is laid out on the 
same plan as the Northeast Addition, except that the blocks are divided into 
fourteen lots, which are numbered as those of the Northeast Addition. The 
east half of Block No. 7 was given by -Mr. Straut for a schoolhouse site, and 
upon it stands a large three-story brick schoolhouse. The west half of the 
block has since been purchased by the School Board, and the entire block is 
now used for that purpose. This addition lies on the west side of the original 
town, commencing at the northwest corner, extending west three blocks, and 
south ahmg west boundary of original town five blocks, containing fifteen full 
blocks. 

Mas.m City now embraces about three-fourths of a aection, laid out in lots. 
and is divided near the center by the section-line running north and south, 
between Sections 7 and 8. 

We will now return t<» the early settlement of Mason City, and its subse- 
quent growth and prosperity. The inaugural steps to found a town, after lay- 
ing it off in lots, was the sale of the lots. A public sale of lots was advertised to 
commence September 27. 1857, which was continued for two days, and which sale 
was attended by a large number of buyers ami curious spectators, aggregating 



HISTORY OP M L80H I OUNTY. 

in Qamber over ;i thousand. The whole county w;i~ agog with excitement 
over the novelty of a town "so far from do place," as they expressed it. Not- 
withstanding the mum iting, w ild Location, lots sold at from the high figure oi [ 
up in the extravaganl price of $300 — the latter price for choice lota in the sup- 
posed-to-be future business center of the town. Soon after the sale, l>a\id 
Dare put up the first building in the new town — a blacksmith-shop — in th< 
part of the laid-oul town, on Lol 14, Block 14, now owned by David Powell, 
mi which is a mat dwelling, occupied by E. J. Eggleston. The next * 
frame building for mercantile business, erected h\ Benry Keefer (who is now 
an agricultural implement dealer in Lincoln, Neb.), the Bame fall, near the 
laid-out line of the railroad, in Fractional Block 13, which, as soon as com- 
pleted, was occupied 1a A. A. CargilJ mow senior member of the firm of Car- 
gill & Swing) and W. L. Woodward, who opened and operated the first Btore in 
town. Alter some years and several changes in the business firms occupying 
it. this house was wholly abandoned as :i mercantile establishment. Bui this 
building is of historic interest in numerous other ways. Here was centered the 
firsl recognition of our town by the Government of the United State-, by 
establishing in it a posl office; and President Buchanan conferred upon A. A. 
Cargill the distinguished honor of the appointment as its Postmaster — the 
first Postmaster of the town. Another is thai the upper Btory was used as the 
initiatory step ami nucleus of the crowning glory and pride of our town to-day 
— our public schools: and Miss Rhoda Allen (now Mrs. J. I.. Has! 
the teacher who taughl the firsl school. Here, Mason Citj L 
\ 1'. & A. M.. was organized under dispensation, early in the year l£ 
Here, also, in the spring of 1866, the nucleus of the firsl newspaper in the town 
was founded, in a -mall job office, by Elder J. M. Haughey and Sheridan 
Eulass, who, at the time, were engaged in the picture business al thai place. 
Here, also, the firsl religious services were held. Rev. Mr. Holtsclaw, a Baptist 
minister of Crane Creek, officiating. 

The second -tore was thai of C. Hume, on the corner of Tonica and Chest- 
nut street.-, bul this building was removed some year- ago, and it- site occupied 
by the handsome brick buildings known as La Forge Block. The old frame 
building was erected by Joseph Elliott late in the tall of 1858, and, in the upper 
Btory of which was organized early the following spring the Presbyterian Church 
of this city, with Rev. John Andrews as Pastor. 

The third Btore was that of Abraham and S. I>. Swing, the building which 
now -taml- a -Imrt di-taiice northeasl of the La Forge elevator. 

The lir-t hotel was a small frame erected by William Hibberd, which -till 

stand- on the north Bide of the Sherman II This boUSC WSS buill late in 

the fall of 1857, on a lot donated bj Mr. Strain for that purpose, and was ded- 
icated on Christmas nighl by a dance, which was attended, for the novelty "t the 
thing, by parties from all the Burrounding town-. The summer of 1858, Henry 

K- iter erected the building which i- liow the Wooden part of the St. Nicholas 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. .",51 

Hotel, which, as soon as completed, commenced business with Jeremiah Deitrich 
as proprietor. The same year. John Sutley built the house which now stands 
on the northeast corner of Tonica and Chestnut streets, and commenced hotel 
business in the name of the Sutley House, but which was given the name of Lion 
House by the town wags because the sign bore the figures of two lions. In 
those days, and up to lMiT. all building material, merchandise and every other 
imported commodity had to be hauled with teams from Pekin, Lincoln and 
Havana, and that was a very profitable though laborious business, and nece - 
itated exposure to all kinds of weather. The first and still the largest steam 
grain-elevator was erected in 1868, by Jefferson Brown and Nicholas Travis, and 
is now know as the La Forge elevator. 

The first wedding of resident parties in town, was that of Sheridan Eulass 
and Miss Emma Hibberd, daughter of Squire Hibberd, October 12, 1850, the 
ceremony being performed by Rev. S. Wheadon, of Havana. 

The first child born in town was Charles M. Keefer, son of Henry Keefer, 
in December. 1857. 

Although, in 1858, our people were few in number, the "fire of '76 " burned 
deeply and fervently in their patriotic hearts, and they decided to have a regular 
old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration and public dinner, which they did in 
no half-way manner. Every man. woman and child in the town staked their 
reputations and fortunes upon the success of the enterprise, and with one accord 
expunged the word failure from their vocabulary. With these fundamentals to 
commence with, it is almost superfluous to say the celebration and all of its con- 
comitants were an immense success. That was a year in which this section was 
visited by frost every month of the year, and the July frosl came on the morn- 
ing of the 4th. At an early hour in the morning, long processions of teams came 
in from all direction.-, and by 10 o'clock an immense crowd, for this sparsely 
settled country, had gathered in. A platform had been erected, and seats, tem- 
porarily constructed of such building material as could be found Loose, were pro- 
vided. II. A. Hurt, one of the early merchants and the village lawyer, read the 
Declaration of Independence, and Hon. William Walker, a prominent lawyer of 
Havana, delivered the ..ration, after which the hosts were martialed and con- 
ducted in -nod order to the extensive and burdened tables, where all were sumpt- 
uously \'>'>\ from the lavish contributions of the people. 

The 4th of duly. 1867, witnessed the advent of the first locomotive engine 
m Mason City, and was hailed with great demonstrations of delight by the peo- 
ple, which wound up with a free light between the railroad construction hands 
and our town blood-. The completion of the road to BloomingtOU that same 
fall opened a new era in our commerce, both in produce and merchandise. Chi- 
cago, which had before been looked upon as a far-away and almost inaccessible 
metropolis, suddenly was brought near, and a very small amount of business was 
a sufficient inducement to make a visit there. Business enterprise of all kinds ran 



552 BISTORT OF MASON I 01 Ml 

wild with excitement, and .ill the mechanical labor within reach was brought 
into requisition to supply the demand in the construction of new buildings, both 
of mercantile bouses and dwellings. Improved and unimproved lots commanded 
almosl fabulous prices, and the demand for residence locations induced the lay- 
incr-oul <>t' tin- Nfortheasl and Wesl Additions, the former of which was soon 
dotted with handsome dwellings. For a fe* years, the prosperity and growth 
of the town was t 1 • * - wonder and the admiration or envy, as interests might 
inspire, of all the < itrj and adjoining town-. 

Our own people were nol indifferent to their urit » \% i 1 1 lt importance as ;i town, 
and the village government under which their public affairs were administered 
began to look too small in oame to some of our more pretentious citizens ; so, 
late in the session of the Legislature, the winter of 1 868-69, a fen of these 
high-toned gentry of city ambition went down to Springfield and procured the 
passage of a special charter act, incorporating our village as a city. A large 
majority of our citizens were thunder-struck with surprise when they learned 
the feet, and denounced it a> an imposition and ;i fraud ; but the edict had gone 
forth, and there was no alternative but to Bubmil t" the new order of things, 
under protest. The parties who procured this charter have never been certainly 
Known to the public up to this day, and probably never will be until some one 
of them discloses it in :i dying confession. By this charter, the city waa 
divide^ into four wards, and the first election was held in April. 1869, the 
result of which will appear in it- proper order. 

Mason City was organized as a village by an ordinance approved April 7, 
1866, signed by J. P. Walker, President of the Board of Trustees, and attested 
by J. A. Walker, Olerk of the Board, including in the corporate limits the 
original plat. This form of government continued until the spring of l£ 
when the first election under the new charter took place, as above stated. \' 
the city election, the following officers were elected: T. J. Watkins, Mayor; 
Thomas Lamoreux, City Judge; S.N. Hornbuckle, City Marshal; William 

Wainock. Jr., City Collector: l>r. I. N. BUsberry, Alderman. First Ward: .1. 

('. Montgomery, Alderman, Second Ward: S. I>. Swing, Alderman, Third 
Ward: Dr. J. A. W. Davis, Alderman, Fourth Ward. Officers appointed by 
the new Council: Dr. J. A. Walker, Treasurer; S. N. Hornbuckle, Assee 
<;. W. BUsberry, Clerk. 

City el etion Ipril 4, L870: 11. T. Strawn, Mayor; Well. Housworth, 
City Marshal: D. M. Child*. City Collector ; D. B. !-• Sourd, Alderman, 1 
Wind: .1. A. Phelps, Alderman, Second Ward; John Pritchett, Alderman. 
Third Ward; George Young, Alderman, Fourth Ward; EL «'. Dement 
(appointed), City Clerk. Judge Lamoreux and Marshal Housworth ha 

ncl. ■ ipecial election was held December, 1870, to fill the vacancies, 
which resulted in the election of J. S. Shuck, City Judge, and Qeorge Tippey, 
Marshal. 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 553 

City election April 5, 1871 : Luther Naylor, Mayor; M. C. Vanloon, City 
Marshal ; F. N. Smith, City Collector ; H. M. Anderson, Alderman, First 
Ward ; George A. Withers, Alderman, Second Ward ; N. Travis, Alderman, 
Third Ward ; J. S. Gates, Alderman, Fourth Ward. Officers appointed by the 
Council : J. F. Culp, City Clerk ; John Lazell, Treasurer. F. N. Smith 
having failed to qualify as Collector, and Judge Shuck having resigned, a 
special election to fill the vacancies was held August 1, 1871, at which 
J. H. Wandle was elected City Judge, and Jeremiah Riggins was elected 
Collector. 

City election, April 1, 1872 : Luther Naylor, Mayor; Joseph Statler, City 
Judge ; A. S. Jackson, City Marshal ; Rev. S. S. Martin, City Collector. 
Aldermen — H. M. Anderson, First Ward ; Andrew McElhany, Second Ward ; 
N. Travis, Third Ward ; J. S. Gates, Fourth Ward. 

J. F. Culp was re-appointed City Clerk, and John Lazell, Treasurer. 

A petition, as provided by law, having been presented to the City Council, 
an election was ordered to take place August 5, 1872, to vote upon the question 
of organizing under the general incorporation act, which was carried by a large 
majority of the voters, who were glad of an opportunity to " set down on " the 
old " Tweed charter," as they contemptuously called the one which they were 
then under. This required a change in the boundaries of the wards, as it was 
found, by a census, that we were entitled to but three wards and two Aldermen 
from each ward. The Clerk and Treasurer now became elective officers, and a 
City Attorney was added to the list. The city government went into operation 
under the general incorporation act at the beginning of the next fiscal year. 

City election, April 15, 1873 : T. J. Watkins, Mayor ; J. C. Warnock, 
City Clerk ; John Lazell, City Treasurer : W. P. Freeman, City Attorney ; 
Jacob Benscoter, Police Magistrate ; Dennis Pride (appointed), City Marshal. 
Aldermen — A. A. Cargill, J. S. Gates, First Ward : W. I. Kincaid, J. C. Ells- 
berry, Second Ward ; W. S. Chenoweth, L. D. Case, Third Ward. 

City election, April 21, 1874 : Aldermen — Dr. J. A. Walker, First Ward ; 
W. I. Kincaid, Second Ward: M. C. Vanloon (to fill vacancy), Second Ward; 
S. D. Swing, Third Ward. John Lazell, City Treasurer ; J. C. Warnock, City 
Clerk ; G. W. Ellsberrv, City Attorney ; John B. Wilson (appointed), City 
Marshal. 

City election, April 20, 1875 : T. J. Watkins, Mayor ; J. C. Warnock, 
City Clerk: John Lazell, City Treasurer; I. R. Brown, City Attorney. Ald- 
ermen— J. S. Gates, First Ward : M. <\ A r anloon, Second Ward; W." S. Che- 
noweth, Third Ward. John B. Wilson (appointed), City Marshal. 

City election, April 18,1876: J. C. Warnock, City Clerk; John Lazell, 
City Treasurer; I. R. Brown, City Attorney. Aldermen — Augustus Green, 
First Ward ; John Dietrich, Second Ward : S. D. Swing, Third Ward. D. E. 
Lessourd (appointed), City Marshal. 



55 1 BISTORT of MASON COUNTY. 

City election, April 17. l v 77: T. J. Watkins, Mayor; J. C. Warnock, 
Clerk ; John Lazell, City Treasurer ; W. A. Barthol Attorney; 

I). B. L( — urd (appointed), City Marshal. Aldermen — J. S. Gates, First 
Ward; F. N. Smith, Second Ward; Lnther Naylor, Third Ward. 

J. C. Warnock having resigned the office of City Clerk, an election was 
ordered by the Council to take place October L6, 1 v 77. in fill the vacancy. 
The election was held, but was decided to be unwarranted by the charter, 
consequently null and void, and the vote was not canvassed. At the meet- 
ing of October 27, L877, the Mayor appointed W. 11. Weaver to fill the 
vacancy. 

City election, April L6, I v 7 N : J. C. Johnson, Police Magistrate. Alder- 
men — Nelson Warnock, First Ward; John Dietrich. Second Ward; S. D. 
Swing, Third Ward. I». E; Lessourd (appointed), City Marshal. 

Mayor Watkins having died soon after this election, Alderman J. S. Gates 
was unanimously appointed Mayor for the unexpired term, by his colleagues in 
the < louncil. 

In consequence of the continued absence of W. 11. Weaver in business, the 
office of City Clerk was declared vacant at the meeting of April and 

Frank M. Conehay was appointed to fill the vacancy. 

City election, April 15, 1879: .1. C. Warnock, Mayor; F. M. Conehay, 
Clerk; J. II. Faith, City Treasurer; I. R. Brown, City Attorney. 
Aldermen — Dr. A. M. Bird, Fust Ward: Benry Wakeman, Second Ward; 
.1. •'. Ambrose, Third Ward. I). E. Lessourd (appointed), City Marshal. 

|o\\ V-llll' o| pic] 

In tins connection we will give a li.-t of the principal township officers 
elected at the annual town meetings since the adoption of township organisation. 
W •• will state, however, that the two .Justices of the Peace elected in this 
township after it was organized a voting precinct and thereby separated from 

Salt Creek Town-hip were William Ilil.herd and William Pollock in 1857. In 

1861, William Elibberd was succeeded by his brother'Israel Sibberd, who. with 
the exception of one short interval, has held the office by re-election from that 
time until now . 

The first election under township organization was held in the old frame 
Bchoolhouse (which was recently removed and converted into a machine-shop), 
April 1. L862, at which town meeting Rev. John Andrews pn Modera- 

tor, and George Young acted as Clerk. 

The full list of officers elected at that meeting was as follows : R. A. Hurt, 
Supervisor; John II. Duvall, Town Clerk: John 8. Will. urn. Assessor; Will- 
iam Warnock, dr.. Collector; <". Hume, Overseer Poor: .1. <'. Temple, W. 
II. Mitchell, B. M. Douglas, Commissioners of Highways; Israel Elibberd, 
Dr, W. J. Chamblin, Justices of the 1' to . J. I. Hastings, William McDown, 
( lonstabli 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 



555 



rear. 

[8 >l 
1865! 
1866 
1867 
1868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
is;:; 
1874 
is;.". 
1876 
IS77 
I NTS 

1879 



Supervisor. 



Town Clerk. 



Collector. 



B. A. Rosebrough Ibram Swing W.J. Chamblin William Warnock, Jr. 

.1. s. Wilburn Ibram Swing Foseph Taylor William Warnocb, Jr. 

J. S. Wilburn Samuel Sites Joseph Taylor William Warnock, Jr. 

.1. L. Hastings Dr. .1. A. Walker S. I). Swing William Warnock, Jr. 

Corles Hume Israel llil>l>enl Joseph Taylor... I.S. Wilburn. 

.1. 8. Baner William Hibberd Nelson Warnock William Warnock, Jr. 

Edward Copland Q. W. Ellsbenry D. W. Wilson William Warnock, .lr. 

1) E. LeSourd S. M. Badger.. Joseph Taylor I. A. Phelps. 

D. E. LeSourd I.e. Ellsberry roseph Taylor s. M. ledger. 

W. 11. Mitchell.. 
1). E. LeSourd... 
Augustus Green 
P. Norton 



J.J, Strome roseph Taylor s. M. Badger, 

Dr. .1. A. Walker Joseph Taylor I.C. Ellsberry. 

U. Naylor Joseph Taylor Dr. J. A. Walker. 

I. ('. Ellsberry roseph Taylor B. A. Rosebrough. 

B. A. Uosebrough I. ('. Ellsberry \. L. Clary I. C. Johnson. 

B. A. Rosebrough 1. C. Ellsberry A. S. Jackson I. II. Faith. 

B. A. Rosebrough I. •'. Ellsberry A. S. Jackson George Brooker. 

B. A. Rosebrough.... | J. 0. Ellsberry A. S. Jackson W. 11. Tooker. 



CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

While Mason City lias much to be proud of in general improvements, bus- 
iness facilities and beauty of location and surrounding country, none of these 
transcends in importance and influence her public schools, for here her children 
are provided a good and substantial education, thorough in every department, 
from the fundamentals well up into the classics and the higher mathematics. 

In 1860, a frame school building was erected in the east part of town, 
which served its purpose well until the population rendered a more commodious 
building necessary. After renting such additional rooms as could be obtained 
to accommodate the pupils, a large three-story brick building on the west side 
was projected, and, after considerable contention, it was decided at an election 
to build a $20,000 schoolhouse on the half-block donated for that purpose by 
Mr. Straut, in his West Addition. This building is three stories in height, 
with two schoolrooms on each floor. It was built the year 1868, and, as soon 
as completed, a graded school was organized, with Prof. F. C. Garbutt as 
Principal. 

In 1877, our school population had further increased until another school 
building was demanded, and, to meet that demand, the beautiful new brick 
schoolhouse on the east side was built, at a cost of about $7,000. This is a 
substantial two-story brick, with two schoolrooms on each floor. 

The names of the Principals who have presided over our graded public 
schools, since their organization as such, are as follows, in the order of their 
succession: F. C. Garbutt, three years; G. W. Dominique, three years : \V. 
H. Williamson, two years; C. L. Raymond, one year; W. H. Williamson, 
one year; O. T. Denny, one year. We give a list of teachers employed each 
term since 1876, in the order of their respective grades : 

Term commencing September, 1876 : Prof. C. L. Raymond, Principal ; 
Miss L. EtHe Peter, Mrs. Sara E. Pierce, Miss Hettie I. Hamilton, Miss 



BI8T0B1 OF MASON OOUHTY. 

Nellm K. Wickizer, Bliss Belle May, Mrs. M. A. Slade, Bliss Joeie Y --. Bliss 
Lilla Cook. 

Term commencing September, 1877: Prof. W. II. Williamson, Principal; 
Mrs. Sara ES. Pierce, Mrs. M. A Slade, Misa Nellie E. Wickixer, Miss .losie 
V(»t. Mise ESmma Patterson, Mi-- Belle May. Miss Rinta Lamoreux, Miss Lilla 
Cook. 

Term commencing September, 1878: Prof. 0. T. Denny, Principal; 
Mr-. Sara E. Pierce, Mi-- Agnes A. Gamble, Miss Olive A. Hudson, Miss 
Nellie E. Wickizer, Miss Belle May. Mi-< [da Patten, Miss Rinta Lamoreux, 
Mi.-s Lilla Cook. 

Term commencing September, l s 7'. ( : Prof. 0. T. Denny. Principal; 
Mrs. Sara E. Pierce, Miss Agnes A. Gamble, Miss Olive A. Hudson, M as 
A.delia Henry, Miss Belle May. Miss Gertie Chase, Miss Uinta Lamoreux, 
Miss Lilla I look. 

The country district schools throughout the township arc all in good condi- 
tion, and each district is provided with a good schoolhouse. The ladies arc to 

especially commended for the heroism with which they have contended 
against and effectually broken down the old pioneer prejudice against them as 
school teachers, until now their abilities are recognized and appreciated in this 
grand and noble avocation, and, by dint of inexorable perseverance, they are 
largely in the majority as teachers in this township. 

The names of the School Treasurers of the town-hip from its organization 
down to the present time are as follows, in the order of succession: First. 
Michael Swing; Becond, Rev. L. K. Hastings; third, William Warnock, Jr.; 
fourth, Henry ('ease: fifth, John Lazell, present incumbent. 

The report of the Township Treasurer for this year shows the following 
Mati-: 

Number males under twenty-one yean of age 

Number females under twenty 618 

Total under twenty-one ;• ■ 1,002 

Number males between thi six and twenty-one : '-7'J 

Number females between the ;igcs of six and twenty-one 

i between l enty-one 

Number Sehool Districts in township 1 

Number distri school live months or more 1 

Whole Dumber public schools in township 1 

Whole number months of school 

\\. i u' number months "t school 

Number male pupils enrolled 

Number female pupils enrolled 246 

ii pupils enrolled 609 

Number male u i 

Number femeh 9 

Total teachers employed IS 

Number months taught bj '-'I 

Number months taught bj females 72 

,; months taughl 96 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 557 

Grand total days' attendance 63,8( 

Number graded schools in township 1 

Number months taught in graded school 8 

Number public high schools in township 1 

Whole number sclioolhouses in township •"> 

Principal township fund $1 201 28 

Amount of township fund invested or loaned 1,291 28 

Highest monthly wages paid any male teacher 100 00 

Highest monthly wages paid any female teacher 45 00 

Lowest monthly wages paid any male teacher 30 00 

Lowest monthly wages paid any female teacher 27 60 

Average monthly wages paid male teachers 59 72 

Average monthly wages paid female teachers 39 68 

Amount borrowed for building purposes 9,600 00 

Amount, district tax levy for school purposes (1878) 7,250 00 

Estimated value of school property 18,000 00 

Estimated value school apparatus 100 00 

Paid male teachers last year 1,483 50 

Paid female teachers last year 2,846 82 

Paid for repairs and improvements 9 90 

Paid for school furniture 6 40 

Paid for fuel and incidental expenses 664 73 

Paid Township Treasurer for services 121 25 

Paid interest on district bonds 536 75 

Paid on outstanding indebtedness 500 00 

Paid Treasurer Township 21, Range 5 1H2 68 

Total expenditures during year 6,252 03 

The County Superintendent of Schools is a resident of this city, and the 
above is from the last report of the Township Treasurer, on file in the County 
Superintendent's office. 

The first Board of School Directors in this town was composed of Messrs. 
William Hibberd, Dr. A. R. Cooper and L. D. CoX. The present Board is 
composed of A. A. Cargill, L. B. Eulass and Mrs. T. C. Chamblin. The latter 
is the first lady upon whom the official honor of an elective school office was 
ever conferred in this county. 

TRAGEDIES. 

While this city has always maintained a high moral standard, it is not 
wholly exempt from those shocking tragedies into which perverse humanity 
often develops. The first was in the fall of 1864, a few days after the Presi- 
dential election, when political bitterness and strife had reached and assumed 
its most desperate depth. Frank M. Jones, who came into this vicinity from 
Virginia about a year before the tragical event now under consideration, had, 
from the accident of his nativity, coupled with his undisguised and outspoken 
sentiments on the political question of the day, incurred the hostility of several 
parties of the opposite political belief, which was fully reciprocated by Jones, 
and the bitterness soon ripened into a crisis. Jones was teaching school at the 
time, a mile and a half south of town, and, learning that a man from Salt 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 

i k Township, Darned Moses Thompson, had been in town several days 
watching for him, to "settle a grudge" that had been engendered on election- 
day, about ■ week before, he armed himself with a double-barrel shotgun, and, 
in tin evening, after Bchool wns dismissed, proceeded t<> town. He -aw Thomp- 

out on the south Bide of a saloon which was kept in a building a short dis- 
tance northwest of where the La Forge grain elevator now Btands, and ! 
his threats againsl him ipon which, from the rear of A. & S. I'. 

e, through which he passed, he fired upon Thompson, mortally 
wounding him, from the effects of which he died next day. Jones leisurely 
departed, and was never captured and brought to trial. It is reported that he 
wen furi, and, a few years after, was himself shot and killed. 

The next was the tragical death of I>r. \V. J. Chamblin, in the spring ot 
1871, at the hands of Zopher Case. This grew out of a land title contest 
with reference to a beautiful quarter-section adjoining town, on the south 
Case moved a bouse on to one forty-acre lot of the disputed land, claiming title 
from one Tunison, Chamblin's contestant. Case moved bis house on the 
premises in the night, and moved his family into it. which broughl about an 
ejectmenl suit. In plowing, in the spring of L871, Dr. Chamblin ordered his 
men to plow across Case's front yard, in the forenoon of the day of this tr. i _ 
event: Imt Case would not allow them to do so. The matter was reported to 
Dr. Chamblin by his men at noon, and. when they went out to work in the 
afternoon, he took a Bhotgun and hade his plowmen follow him. which they did. 

He] la short distance in advance of the teams toward Case's pre 

and. when he reached the disputed lini who was watching him from his 

door, took up his Bhotgun and fired upon the Doctor, killing him instantly. 

rendered to the authorities, and. after a tedious drag and continuance 

from time t<> time of the case iii the Circuit Court, was finally acquitted, and 

he. to,., in duly. l s 7'>. iii'-t a violent death at the hand- of the ni^ht-watchman, 

John 15. Wilson, who wa< acquitted by the grand jury. 

In the -prin- of 1873, Charles II. Linticum, who was then a farmer, out 

near the mouth of Prairie Creek, made a deadly assault upon Joseph Uowper- 
thwaite, another farmer of that neighborhood, they having met in town. This 
tragedy occurred in what i- now J. 1). Hawes a Co.'s harm-- -hop. on Tonics 
Btreet The assaull was made with a revolver, Linticum shooting al Cowper- 
thwaite some thn . the last taking effect in tin- side, glancing of} on a 

rib. This create. 1 h viteiuent. and. for the first time, lynch law was 

ly talked; hut the injured party proved to he not dangerously wounded, and 

better counsel prevailed. Linticum was arrested, and sent for Col. Ii. «>• 
[ngersoll, of Peoria, to condud his defense in the preliminary examination. 

ral terms, the indictmenl was quashed, and the mat- 
ter dropped out .,)' COUlt. 

The next was in the spring •!' l^7t. and was an attempt by one Alonn 
Winn to murder his wife. The attack was made about s o'clock at night, 




HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 559 

April 21, at the residence of Samuel Wilson, on Main street, with a pistol, the 
shot taking effect in the eye, totally destroying it; but, after much suffering, 
the lady recovered. Winn made his escape, but was captured over near Deca- 
tur, and imprisoned. This tragedy created the most intense excitement, and, 
if Winn had been brought through this place on his way to the County Jail at 
Havana, he would surely have been hung. A great crowd gathered at the 
depots at the arrival of every train, and the undercurrent of suppressed feeling 
unmistakably indicated determined vengeance. He was tried at the term of 
court following, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for a term of seven years. 

In 1873, early in the year, the I., B. & W. Extension Railway was com- 
pleted through this city and county. The new road had been estimated of incal- 
culable benefit to our town, but the reverse was the result, for, upon its line east 
and west, grain shipping and trading stations were built, which materially 
diminished the trade in this place. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

In this region, perhaps, the Methodist Church canjustly claim priority, for 
its ministers have ever been in the vanguard of civilization, and not unfre- 
quently in the advance " picket line," yet, in this vicinity, the Baptist and 
Christian (Campbellite) sects had their representatives in the new and wild 
vineyard, at about an equally early day. It is impossible to obtain reliable 
data of the first " class " organized in this township, but it was far back in 
the forties, though the entire county was included in one circuit until 1856. 
Up to this date, the "circuit-rider" resided in Havana, and made his indefinite 
rounds on horseback. The organization from which the Methodist Episcopal 
society in this town was formed, was at the Pollock Schoolhouse, about three 
miles east of Mason City. 

This was made one of the "appointments" in the circuit as early as 1858, 
and religious service was held at such places as could be obtained until the 
frame schoolhouse, east of the railroad, was built, after which, meetings were 
held there until the erection of the present church building in 1863, during the 
pastoral charge of Rev. W. P. Paxton, who was succeeded, in the order named, 
by Revs. Barthelow and Rutledge. The Church in town was constitute! a 
charge in 1868, and Rev. Simmons appointed Pastor, who was succeeded, in 
the order named, by Revs. Warfield, Parkhurst, Carroll, Armentrout,.Sinnock 
and Moore, the latter now Pastor in charge. The Methodist congregation in 
this city has a goodly membership, both in number and quality, and sustains a 
good Sunday school. 

Next, in order of age, is the Baptist society. The organization in town had 
its origin in the Church organized at the Pollock Schoolhouse, east of town, in 
1856, which was bodily transferred to Mason City, in November, 1859. Elder 
L. R. Hastings was the first resident Baptist minister of this township, having 
settled on and improved a farm about two miles east of town in 1851, and it 



BISTORT OP M USON OOUNTT. 

was mainly through his efforts thai the organization at the Pollock Schoolhouae 
was formed in L856. Benow resides in town, and is a veteran, faithful servant of 
the Master, and is universally honored and esteemed for his upright life. The 
meetings of this Church were principally held in the frame schoolhouse, which 
wa- the •• meeting-house " of tin- day for ;ill religious sects and opinions, until 
1867, when tin- present Baptist Church was built. Since its organisation, the 
following ministers have officiated as Pastors, in the order named : El 
Bastings, Bartley, Boltsclaw, Curry, Banghey, Blunt, Martin. Scott ami Bobbs, 
the latter now in his truth year. This society now numbers nearly two hun- 
dred meml 

The Presbyterian Bociety dates its organization from I s ~>7. when a society 
«;i- organized by Revs. Templeton ami Andrews — the latter. Rev. John 
Andrews, presiding a- Pastor until 1867, when the present Pastor. Rev. 
Stephen J. Bogle, assumed pastoral charge. Service was principally held in 

the schoolhouse until the building of the frame church mow the Catholic 

Church . 111 1864. This church house cost about $ 2,000, and was quite an 

enterprise for the prairie town at that time. In 1871, owing to the increase of 

membership ami large attendance at the Sunday service, this house was found 

to be too -mall to accommodate the congregation, ami it was decided t<> -ell the 
(dd church bouse and build a larger one. The present fine brick edifice was 

then projected and Successfully carried through to Completion, ready for dedica- 
tion in February, \*~-. This society has a membership of about two hundred. 
The Pastor, Rev. Mr. I'x'u'le. own- the residence ami grounds he occupies, ami. 

as an exception to the rule with which ministers are regarded, he is looked upon 
as a permanent citizen. 

The Catholie society was organized here in 1872, when it purchased the 
u Icn church building of the Presbyterian society. They added t-> it ami 

re-arranged it SO a- to meet the wants of their service. They have only part 

of the time had a resident priest, hut have been provided service at regular 

tun 

The I 'in. .n Chapel had its origin in a somewhat dilapidated dwelling in the 
southeasl part of town, where, in the spring of L876, E. M. Sharp, Dr. J. ML 
,r. and oth< raized a Sunday Bchool, as members of the Young 

Men'- Christian Association, for the special benefit of the poor of the city. A 
wonderful interest was Boon aroused among those who, by their poverty, con- 
sidered t emselves shut out from the means of grace dispensed at the regular 
churches, where, unfortunately, a great many attend service more to display 
crinoline ami millinery styles than the " beauty of holin This building 

wa- Boon found inadequate to the demand for room, and an old billiard-room, of 
abundant capacity, was purchased, moved to a suitable location near the - 
of the first effort of "leaven, remodeled and made pleasant ami oomfortable, 

and now maintains a g 1 Sunday school and affords a comfortable place of 

WOnhip for all who wish to avail thciu-elves of it. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 561 

The first benevolent society organized here was Mason City Lodge, No. 
403, A., F. & A. M. This Lodge was organized in January, 1864, and now 
contains a membership of about one hundred. The year 1869, this Lodge built a 
third story on the brick building now occupied as a drug store by A. Bradley, 
which was then being erected, which furnishes a handsome, commodious and 
secure lodge-room. The elective officers now serving are: H. C. Burnham. \Y. 
M. ; S. M. Badger, S. W. ; J. C. Warnock, J. W. ; F. N. Smith, Treasurer ; 
J. F. Culp, Secretary. 

Mason City Lodge, No. 337, I. 0. of 0. F., was also organized the year 
1866, and now contains a membership of about one hundred. The present 
incumbent elective officers are : J. F. Culp, N. G. ; G. W. Ellsberry, V. G. ; 
J. J. Cox, Secretary ; H. M. Anderson, Recording Secretary ; John Cameron. 
Treasurer; J. H. Faith, Deputy. This Lodge meets in a third-floor room, in 
La Forge Block. 

Mason City Encampment, No. 175, I. 0. 0. F., was organized in 1876, 
and holds its meetings in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The present incumbent elective 
officers are: F. H. Cook, C. P.; H. M. Anderson, H. P. ; C. W. Thomas, S. 
W. : S. Eulass, J. W. ; A. E. Whitney, Scribe : G. W. Ellsberry, Treasurer ; 
G. W. Ellsberry, Deputy. 

Unity Lodge, No. 792, Knights of Honor, was organized in the fall of 
1877. and now contains fifty members ; holds its meetings in Masonic Hall. 
The present incumbent elective officers are : J. P. Canfield, Past Dictator ; F. 
M. Swing, Dictator ; H. C. Parker, Vice Dictator ; D. E. Le Sourd, Assistant 
Dictator; Lafe Swing, Guide; J. F. Culp, Reporter; W. H. 'looker, Finan- 
cial Reporter ; B. D. Riner, Treasurer; LA. Smith, Chaplain; 0. S. King, 
Guardian ; George Brooker, Sentinel ; Dr. A. M. Bird, Medical Examiner ; 
Lafe Swing, Marcus Kahn and I. R. Brown, Trustees. 

Modoc Tribe, No. 14, Improved Order of Red Men (I. 0. of R. M.), was 
organized in November, 1878, and now contains a membership of sixty-two. It 
holds its councils in the room over H. T. Lewin's grocery store. H. T. Lewin, 
of this city, is Grand Deputy Sachem for the State of Illinois, and Representa- 
tive of the State in the Grand Council of the United States. The present 
incumbent elective officers of the Tribe are: S. M. Badger, Sachem ; F. N. 
Smith, Senior Sagamore ; W. A. Hoover, Junior Sagamore ; Thomas Entwistle, 
Prophet; F. M. Conehay, Assistant Chief of Records; James D. Hawes, Keeper 
of Wampum. 

Pioneer Relief Association, Division No. 12, was organized in this city 
in April, 1879, and has its regular meetings the last Friday evening in 
every month. Its officers are J. C. Warnock, President, and J. J. Cox, 
Secretary. 

In this connection and under this head it is proper to state that a library 
association has just been formed in this city in the name of the Mason City 
Library Association, with forty-two members, and the first invoice of books. 



HISTORY OP M kSON OOUNTF. 

numbering 100 volumes. The regular meeting! of thia Association are the 
nd Monday evenings of every month. The A— eiation was permanently 
oized An_'u-r -J.".. L879, and the following officen elected: Rev. 8 
Bogle, President; 0. S. King. Vice President; J. F. Cnlp, Secretary; M m 
Olive A. Hudson, Treasurer; [ra A. Smith. Librarian, and Miss Belle May, 
Mrs. E. Craig, N jyth, James Stebbings and Dr. .1. M. Taylor. Execu- 

tive Committee. 

Bl 3INE8S WI> PRO! 

At first, a- is usually ami oecessarily the case, the merchandising bue 
was not classified, but each store kepi a stock of general merchandise, not so 
extensive in quantity as in variety. Dry goods, clothing, boots ami b! 
harness, saddles, plows, groceries, hardware, ami all departments of the mer- 
chandise business, was conducted in the one house. 

.Mr. A. A. Cargill is tin- veteran merchanl in town, ami the only one of 
the pioneer merchants win. ha- continued in bus er since ami is m 

the senior member of the firm of Cargill & Swing, in an extensive 
dry goods, groceries, hoots ami Bhoes, occupying three separate rooms on the 
corner of Main and Chestnut streets. C. Hume, another pioneer of the town. 
commenced business in 1858, but for several years of the intervening time 
Bince, was out on a farm, hut is mnv engaged in the agricultural implement 
tra^f the C. & A. Railroad, on tin- corner of Mason ami Chestnut 

-v I). Swing, now retired, still live- in town, hut for a number of 
year- ha- hem out of active business. I>r. A. R. Cooper w a- the first resi- 
dent physician in town, ami built ami occupied the house now owned ami 
occupied by I!. Proctor, near the ha Forge Elevator. Travis & Brown built 
the hr-t Bteam grain elevator, of which mention has before been made. Props! 
ttrell opened the first drug stoic m the brick building on the corner north 
of the St. Nicholas Hotel, who was succeeded by Drs. Patterson & Conover, 
they by Dr. J. s. Walker, and he by Kincaid & Bradley, who moved it from 

that place to the brick building now occupied in the business by Allen Bradley. 

Hume & Warnock built the drug-store room now occupied by Dr. W. A. Dunn, 

'. who bought it of Smith & StTOme a few year- ago. The 

drug 8 tore owned by John 11. Hopkins, on the corner of Main and Chestnut 

milt for that purpose in 1871, ami ha- been so used ever since. 

V Cottrell opened the first picture gallery in town, up-stairs over the Propsl 

\ Cottrell drug -tore, in I860. Before that, he traveled about in a car from 

place to place, and made picture- of the old-Style daguerreotype pattern. 'flic 

next was by Eld. d. M. Hanghey, in the upper Btory of the old Keefer si 
building. Mr. Haughey was then the Pastor of the Baptist '■.,!;. as in 

this vicinity, and often supplemented the matrimonial km«t by taking a picture 

of the happy pair, v ki m the picture business was S. M. Miller, who now 
occupies i n- over the Firel National Bank. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 56$ 

The first newspaper was the Mason City Neivs, the nucleus of which was a 
small job printing office, owned by Haughey & Eulass. The first issue of the 
paper was July 4, 1867, the day the laying of the track on the Jacksonville 
branch of the C. & A. Railroad reached the corporation line from the south. 
The paper was published by Eld. J. M. Haughey and W. S. Walker, the latter 
having bought an interest in the office about a month before. In 1871, W. S. 
Walker sold his interest to J. C. Warnock, and the name of the paper was 
changed to Mason City Independent. Mr. Haughey has retained his interest 
and position as senior proprietor ever since the paper was started, except 
awhile the year 1869, and from September 1, 1877, to September 1, 1878, when 
he was sole proprietor by buying out his partner. J. C. Warnock has edited 
the paper since February 9, 1871, with the exception of one year he was away 
as editor and proprietor of the Mason County Democrat, at Havana. The 
Independent is now in its thirteenth volume. 

The Mason City Journal was established late in the fall of 1871 by 1. E. 
Knapp, by whom the material of the Havana Reveille office was bought and here 
moved for that purpose, and was edited by Capt. A. P. Stover until January, 
1872, when Mr. Knapp sold out to W. S. Walker, who assumed editorial 
charge. In 1874, Mr. Walker sold out to Dr. J. A. Walker and Wells Corey, 
and soon after, the former sold his interest to the latter, by whom it has since 
been continued. 

The first liouring-mill was built in 1868 by Hulshizer & Smith, which was 
destroyed by fire a few years afterward, and never rebuilt. The next was 
erected on the site of the present one by Warnock k Montgomery in 1870. 
This one was also destroyed by fire a few years afterward, and the present com- 
modious building erected in its stead, and is now owned and operated by Iron- 
monger & Tibbetts. 

The first bank was that of Warnock & Co., which went into operation in 
1866, and failed in 1870. 

The next was that of Campbell & Porter, in their store called the " Double 
Mammoth," now used as a restaurant and billiard hall. This bank went into 
operation in 1868, and was the nucleus from which the First National- Bank 
was organized, in 1871, with a paid-up capital stock of §50,000, and has been 
in successful operation ever since. Otho S. King, formerly of Lewistown, Ful- 
ton County, was elected Cashier, and has retained the position ever since. G. 
H. Campbell was elected President, and held the position till 1ST", when ho 
was succeeded by El. W. Porter, and he by A. A. Blunt, the present incum- 
bent, in 1S7'.'. This bank is located on Main street, in a building erected for 
the purpose a lew years ago. In 1871, J. B. Massey, of Mount Sterling, 
Brown County, commenced the banking business here, under the name of Mason 
City Exchange Bank, but closed business after a tew years. In 1ST"), the bank 
of F. N. Smith k Co. commenced business, and is still in successful operation, 
in a suitable brick building on Chestnut street. F. N. Smith, a former 



BISTORT OP MASON COUNTY. 

druggist, and David Powell, a former merchant of this plan-, are associated 

• ber in this bank. 

The public improvements in this city are not extensive as yet, hut arc per- 
manent and substantial bo far as they go. The Bchoolhouses have been treated 
of under the head of public schools. The sfason County Soldiers' Monument 
Btands in the center of our park Bquare, and was erected by voluntary contri- 
butions Boon after the close of the war of the rebellion, at a e<>st of s">. ,,, "h 
and is a handsome and fitting tribute to the memory of those who gave their 
lives for their country's cause. It has been the unvarying custom of our peo- 
ple since the erection of this monument, to assemble there the 80th of May 
each year, and decorate it with flowers with appropriate ceremonies. 

The public well and water-tank is a public improvement of meat value and 
advantage. A large tank is buill high above, into which the water is pumped 
by ■ wind-mill, from which an abundance of water is Bupplied for all the pub- 
lic wants of the town. The fire engine was purchased several years ago, ami a 
fire company formed to operate it when needed. It is a Champion chemical 
engine. The streets are well graded and are beautiful and pleasant drives. 
The sidewalk improvements now in process of construction are being made of 
brick, and are good, substantial and permanent. 

The first calaboose in town was made of sawed 2x6 oak timber, spiked 
together so as to make almost a solid wooden wall of six inches in thickness. 
At best, n was a decidedly dismal-lookim: place. It first stood on Pine street. 
hut was moved to Tonics street, where, a few years ago, it caught fire one 
rainy eight and was totally destroyed. A new brick calaboose was then 
erected and provided with cells, which is now the city prison. 

The city cemetery is located about three-quarters of a mile east of town, 
and is inclosed by a neat fence, ami considerable interest i> manifested by the 
people who have purchased lots in beautifying them. It contains forty a 
about one-half of which is laid off in lots one rod in width and two rods in 
length, and two lots in each block. 

A little more than two years ;i;n. a company id* militia was formed in this 

city and vicinity as Illinois National Guards, under the genera] militia la* >f 

the State. of which 96C roster in the general history of the county. 

\ vein of ,-oal five feet and eleven inches in thickness was recently found 
by boring, a short distance north of town, at a depth of 2 1 7 feet, and it is 
probable that a shaft will he sunk there within a few years. 

BATH TOWNSHIP. 

This township ha- considerable riverfront, ami. excepting Lynchburg, ii 
the southwest town of Mason County. It has an area nearly equal to two 
Congressional town-, embracing about Beventy sections, and is some twelve 

mile- long by BIS tO eight miles wide. It is bounded on the north and northwest 



I 





YAT/fOA/A 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY 567 

by Havana Township and the Illinois River, on the west by Lynchburg 
Township, on the south by the Sangamon River, and on the east by Kilbourne 
Township. The soil, like that of most of Mason County, partakes of a sandy 
nature, but is exceedingly fertile, producing corn, oats and wheat in great 
abundance. At the time of its settlement, about one-third of the land included 
in Bath Township was timbered, the remainder rolling prairie ; well watered by 
the numerous little lakes here and there, among which may be mentioned Wolf, 
Wiggenton, Swan, Fish, Goose, Bell, and, perhaps, others, while it is drained 
by the Illinois and Sangamon Rivers, White Oak Creek and numerous sloughs. 
Artificial draining has also been added, by the opening of ditches at the 
public expense. One of these modern but valuable improvements extends 
through the eastern part of the town, and is known as the Ruggles' Ditch, car- 
rying off the superfluous water, through Jordan Slough, into the Sangamon 
River ; and another in the northeast, Black Jack Ditch, conveys the water. 
through White Oak Creek, into the Illinois. The ,w Main Branch" of the 
Illinois River, as it is termed, and which is the deeper channel, but the nar- 
rower, diverges from the broader stream about two miles north of the village of 
Bath, thereby forming an island west of the village, some six sections in extent, 
called Grand Island, and containing several farms and residences, to which 
reference will again be made. The Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad, 
more particularly noticed in the general county history, traverses the entire 
length of Bath Township, entering the north part through Section 26 and run- 
ning, in a southwest direction, to the village of Bath, when it takes a course 
due south, on the section line,,crossing the Sangamon River between Sections 
29 and 30. This road has been of great benefit to this section in transporting 
the large quantities of grain produced, and, with the competition afforded by 
the river, the farmers are enabled to secure reasonable rates of freight. The 
stations in this town are Bath and Saidora, the history of which will be (riven 
in another chapter. 

SETTLEMENT OK THE TOWNSHIP. 

The first dwellings reared by white men in the present town of Bath were 
built by John Stewart and John Gillespie in 1828. Gillespie erected his cabin 
on the old site of Moscow, and Stewart on Snicarte Island, a portion of which 
belongs to this township. They were from Tennessee, and though acknowl- 
edged the first actual settlers, did not remain long in the town, but in a year or 
two removed to Schuyler County. Gillespie left his claim ' k for better or won 
but Stewart sold out to Amos Richardson, and he, in turn, sold it to John 
Knight, who had entered the land. This was the first land entered in what is 
now known as Bath Township. Knight was from the East, and was what was 
called in those early days, by the Southern people, who composed the majority 
of the settlers, a " flat-mouthed Yankee." Knight settled here in 1829-30, 
but in a few years removed to Fulton County, where he died soon after. He 



HI8T0RY «>f \i - NTT. 

Bold the place to James II. Allen, with whom he had an extensive law-suit. Be 
Bued Allen for the improvements made on the place, but, before the cause was 
decided, he died. 

Henry Shepherd was the first settler in the north part of the township, 
locating on the Bpol whirr afterward rose the village of Nfatanzas. He wai 
from ESastern Pennsylvania, and is acknowledged to have been the first -<ttler 
in this immediate neighborhood, though no one now ran t «11 the exact time 
of hie settlement. He entered his land, however, in \^'-'<-. and probably came 
but a short time prior to that date. It is related of bim that he would m 
allow a plow in his corn, but cultivated it exclusively with hoes, a mode of 
farming thai would be looked on at the present day as decidedly peculiar. Hia 
death w;i» a singular one, but as we ;iiv not sufficiently skilled iii medical tech- 
nicalities to describe it in fitting terms, we will refer our reader- for particulars 
to some of the old settlers (Charley Richardson, for instance), who still remem- 
ber the circumstances. 

From Kentucky, the " dark and bloody ground " of aboriginal story and 

song, the township received the following additions to it- population: Joseph 
A. Phelps, F. 8. D. Mar-hall. Col. A. 8. West, Dr. Harvey Oneal, Maj. B. II. 
Gratton and his brother. II. 1'. Gatton, John 8. Wilburn. C. P. Richard 
II .. J. A. Daniels; James Holland. Thomas F . Samuel. Laban and Richard 
Blunt, William 11. Neluis. William. John (J. and C. Conover, Samuel Pettitt, 
ami perhaps others. 

Joseph A. Phelps settled in the township about L840, but shortly after 
moved into the. village of Bath. He was the first Circuit ('hu-k of M 
County, and was at one time Probate Judge, and for a number of years a Jus- 
tice of tie- Peace. He finally removed to Nebraska, where he died in l v T^ 
Mar-hall came from Cass County to this settlement, but was originally from 

Kentucky. \\r Was a young lawyer when he came here, was elected the 

blaster in Chancery, and, in 1845, appointed Circuit Clerk by Judge Fork- 
wood : was also elected to the Constitutional Convention of 1847-48. Hia 

death occurred in 1854—55. He married a M .. who taught om 

the early schools of Bath. 

Col West iir-t came to the State in L827-28, and settled near the present 
city of Virginia, in Cass County, and in 1 S H came to this township, where 

rtill owns a large farm, though for some time has been living in Kai 
lb- visits his former home and old neighbors occasionally, and -till vividly 

remembers the privations of early times in this -ection of the country. 
After the county -cat wa- moved to Bath, and before a court 1 

built, Circuit Court was held at his residence. He was one of the 

early merchant- of Bath : served also with distinction in the WinnC 

>\.ir. Dr. Oneal, an "Id Bottler of this town-hip. married hi- daughter. 
lb- came from Virginia, Cass County, to this township, but. as alr< 
noted, was from Kentucky, and -ettled here about 1 > 1 1! 13, but live- at 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 569 

present in Kilbourne Township, and will be further noticed in the chapter 
devoted to that town. 

Ma j. Gatton came to the State with his father, in 1824, and settled in Cass 
County (then a part of Morgan), when he was but sixteen years old. In 1831, 
having begun the battle of life, he located in Beardstown, where he resided 
until his removal to Bath, in May, 1841, soon after the formation of Mason 
County. When Maj. Gatton settled in the present village of Bath, there was 
but one little pole cabin then in the place, besides the house he had had built 
for his own use before his removal. His brother, R. P. Gatton, came on before 
him and attended to the building of it, that it might be ready for his brother's 
family. It was of hewed logs, and, with the exception of the pole cabin already 
alluded to, was the first residence in Bath Village. The body of this building 
is still standing, though moved from its original site, and modernized by being 
weatherboarded and lathed and plastered. R. P. Gatton lived in the village 
until his death, in 1873. Maj. Gatton is still living, enjoying fine health for 
a man of three: core and ten years. He has been one of the solid business men 
of the place, one of the first merchants and grain-dealers, and still follows the 
latter business to some extent. To his active memory, we are indebted for 
much of the history of this township. He is noticed further in the history of 
the village. John F. Wilbourn first settled in Beardstown upon coming to the 
State, but came to Bath in 1843. He served as Circuit Clerk, and was the 
second Postmaster at Bath. He lives at present two and a half miles east of 
Mason City. Charles P. Richardson is one of the oldest settlers of Bath Town- 
ship, now living, having settled here in 1836, and lived in the "town ever since. 
He first settled on Grand Island, opposite Bath, and for ten or twelve years has 
been living in the village. He came to the State with his father in 1819, the 
next year after it was admitted into the Union, but did not settle in this county 
until 1836, as noted above. He was one of the chain-carriers to President 
Lincoln, when he surveyed the original village of Bath, as hereafter noticed. 
The surveying party made their home at Mr. Richardson's while engaged in 
the work, who, with true Kentucky hospitality, refused all offers of remuner- 
ation, but "honest Old Abe," determined to compensate him for the trouble 
his party had caused him, surveyed his land free of charge. Mr. Richardson 
is still living and in vigorous health, with a mind well stored with the his- 
tory of the county and anecdotes of the pioneer days, some of which are given 
to embellish these pages. Rev. J. A. Daniels was born in Virginia, but 
removed with his parents to Kentucky when a child. He came to Illinois in 
1835, and settled in Cass County, and. in 1845, came to this township, where 
he has resided ever since, most of the time in the village of Bath. He is one 
of the pioneer preachers of the Baptist denomination. James Holland was his 
father-in-law, and came to the town with Daniels. He died a number of years 
ago. The Blunts came here in the thirties. Thomas F. and Laban came first. 
Just here we give the following from A. A. Blunt, a son of Thomas F., ?s of 



BI8T0RV OF MASON COUNTY. 

interest to hie family and old friends: f * Thomas F. Blunl was bora in Kent 
County, Md., and removed with his parents to Kentucky in boyhood. He 
married Miss Alderson, of Bart County, Ky.. and of « • I lt 1 1 1 children born to 
them, four arc still living. En the mil of 1881, he removed to Missouri, and. in 

. to llliii"i-. He came to the territory now embraced in Mason County 
in December of that year. In 1849, unaided and alone, he built a schoolhi 
for school and church purposes, and provided a teacher for the ensuing winter. 
He was one of the original members of Mount Zion Baptist Church (mentioned 

here), and the only one now living in the county. He owned the first 
threshing machine and the fir>t reaper ever operated in Mason County. In 
l v 7i:. he was attacked with palsy in his right side, with which he is still a 
sufferer." A few year- Later, Richard Blunt, a brother to Thomas and Laban, 
came to the settlement. He and Laban died in the township. Samuel Blunt, 
one of the brothers, lives at present in EQlbourne Township. William II. 
Nelms firel settled in Cass County, and came from Beardstown to Bath in lM'J. 
lb and Mai. Gatton had the first store in Bath, a business continued for - 
time, and a Bon of Mr. Nelms now lives in Havana, and ie : in the grain 

business. The elder Mr. Nelms was our of the original proprietors of the vil- 
lage of Hath. 'The Conovers Came to the township and settled within a mile of 
Bath, aboul the year 1841. There were three brothers of them — Comh-. Will- 
iam and John <!.. and their father settled in Morgan County in 1821, where 
the family lived until the sons came here a- above. All are dead except John 
(i.. ffho lives in another part of the COUnty — Sherman Township, we bel 

Samuel Pettitl settled hoe aboul 1848, and some years later moved to Missouri, 

where he died. 

Prom Tennessee, the home of Old Hickory, we have the following recruits: 
Joseph Axlkins, Joseph Wallace, William and James Dew, Manning and Thomas 
Bruce, Nelson R. Ashurst, John Johnson, Matthew Wiley and -on. Patrick 
W. Campbell, and his -on. George II. Campbell, ami probably other-, whose 
name- we have failed to obtain. The Campbells were among the early Bel 

of Bath Township, were prominent business and professional men. and accumu- 
lated a large property. George II. Campbell, a Bon of Patrick W. Campbell, 

came to the town-hip as early a- 1838, then a youth of hut seventeen years ; 

his father came in 1840, and -.tiled down in the southern part of the town near 

Smith Turner's. He was the first Surveyor of Mason County, an office he 
held for a number of years, and was one of the highly respected citizen- of the 

town ami COUnty. George H.. upon whose Bhoulders the father's mantle wor- 
thily rests, wa- elected to office in early life that of Assessoi and Treasurer of 
the oounty, soon after attaining his majority. He married a daughter of Maj. 

(i at ton. ami their el de-t son, William II. < 'amphell, is an able lawyer of I lavana, 

and the present Mayor of that city. II. Campbell is a lawyer of ability 

and has served his country at the har. in the legislative halls of the State, and 

on the tented field. Hi- record as County Judge is well known ami needs no 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 571 

comment. He was elected to the Legislature in 1858, and served with ability. 
During the late war, he assisted in raising the One Hundred and Sixth Regi- 
ment of Illinois Infantry, of which he was made Lieutenant Colonel, but 
resigned in about a year on account of ill health. At present he resides in 
Mason City, where he is further noticed. 

The Dews settled here about 1842, and consisted of four brothers, viz.: 
Joseph. Wallace, William and James, the latter being the youngest, and not 
coming until several years after the others. Wallace and William are dead, 
but Joseph and James are still living. The Bruces settled here about 1846-47. 
Manning removed to Logan County long ago, and Thomas has been lost sight 
of. Joseph Adkins came in 1840, and lived in the town until his death in 
1878. He died near Saidora, and owned the land on which that station is 
located. Nelson R. Ashurst was one of the early settlers and located here 
about 1839. He died of cholera many years ago, but has two sons still living 
in the township. John Johnson settled just east of the village of Bath, as 
early as 1837-38, where he resided for a time, and then removed into Lynch- 
burg Township, and is there mentioned further among the early settlers of that 
town. Matthew Wiley was among the early comers to this section, but what 
year he located here we could not learn. He had a son named Matthew, who 
lived with him. The old gentleman settled in Stewart's house, already men- 
tioned as one of the first built in the township. The family finally moved to 
Texas. 

William F. Bunton is a North Carolinian, and came to Illinois in 1840, 
and to Bath in 1842. His brother, John N. Bunton, came to the town with 
him, but died June 23, 1861. W. F. Bunton is still living, one of the 
respected citizens of Bath Village. When the county seat was located at Bath, 
and a temple of justice erected, Mr. Bunton put the roof upon the structure. 
Arthur Morrow, with two brothers, Thomas and Allen, settled in Bath Town- 
ship about 1838-31K All of them are now dead. They were from North 
Carolina, and were highly respected citizens. Arthur Morrow has a son living 
in the village of Bath, who though but a boy when his father came here, lias a 
vivid recollection of the early times; and to his excellent memory we are 
indebted for many facts pertaining to the early history of the township. A 
man named Thomas Hubbard settled in the south part of the township among 
the earliest. He came from Greene County to this neighboi'hood, and after 
a few years returned whence lie came. He was a son-in-law of Allen 
Morrow. 

George A. Bonney came from the Empire State to Illinois, in 1833, with 
his sister, mother and stepfather, locating in what is now Cass County. His 
ancestors settled in Massachusetts, in colonial times, and his grandfather, a 
Colonel of the State troops commanded a regiment at Springfield, Mass.. in 
an engagement during what is known as the whisky insurrection. Some years 
after coming to Illinois, he was licensed to preach, though quite young, and 



572 HISTORl OP MASON COUNT!. 

joined the Illinois Conference. He was transferred to Missouri, but remained 
bul a few yen--, on accounl of poor health. After his return to Illinois, be 
iltural pursuits. Among other objects of enterprise, be built 
a large grain warehouse on the Snicarte Slough, which flowed through his 
{arm; but this was burnt by incendiaries. Be died a few years ago, lamented 
by a large circle of friends and relatives. 

Vail was a native of Ohio, and sprang from a Bolid old Buckeye fam- 
ily. Be came to fllinois in 1843, locating in Vermont, Fulton County, and, 
in 1845, came to Bath Township. He was one of the energetic merchants and 
business men of Bath, and to him the village owes much of its prosperity. 
Having accumulated a large property, he retired from the cares of bush 
spending the last years of a busy life in comparative quiet, and died in Febru- 
ary, 1878, upon the threshold of fourscore years. Warren Beberling, one of 
the leading citizen- and stanch business men of Bath, married a daughter of 

Mr. Vail. 

Smith Turner came to Bath about 1> ; '> V or 1839, and settled in the south 
part of the township. lie married a daughter of Drury S. Field, an early 

settler of this section, and who entered a large body of land of the town. Mr. 
Turner «;i- a lawyer of ability, and upon the removal of the county -eat to 

Bath, he located in the village, where he practiced his profession, and was, for 
a term or two. Probate Judge. He finally removed to Missouri about the com- 
mencement of the war. 

V. II. Holme- was one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Matanzas. 

and was a stately old Virginian. He entered 12,000 acres of land for Dr. 
Field, and for his services received a fourth interest in the laud. Heia remem- 
bered a- a man of many peculiarities, hut a- he i- more particularly mentioned 
in the county history, we will not speak of him further in this connection, but 
to note the fact that he moved to Tazewell County, where he died. He bought 
land near Matanzas from the elder Schulte, whose son, John II.. live- in 
Bavana a; present, and is the Deputy County Clerk. Henry Wiggenton, also, 

was interested at Matanzas. with Holm.'-, but sold OUt and moved to Missouri 

prior to 1 : 

eph F. Benner came from Ohio, and settled in thi- township. lie 
assisted in building the Court Bouse when the seat of justice was moved to 
Bath. Mr. Benner removed to Lincoln. Logan County, a good many yean 

9amuel Craggs came to this section in 1 x !■"• or L846; was a carpenter 
by trade, and came from "Old Bengland." Bia wife was a sister to Smith 
Turner. Two brothers — William and Charles Craggs — at present live in Kil- 
bourne Township. Bis father was al-o among the early settlers, but died 

many year- B 

William. Daniel, Francis and John Bell may also be numbered among the 
early settlers, though the exactyearof their settlement is not remembered. After 

a few years they returned to Greene County, where they came from. They 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 573 

■were a chime of* Bells that were perfectly harmonious in tone, as we were told that 
all four of the brothers married sisters (Morrows), and soon little Bells began 
to jingle. They married sisters to Thomas Hubbard's wife. William and 
Daniel were preachers; William entering the ministry as soon as he reached 
manhood. J. P. Hudson came from Massachusetts to Illinois, and settled in 
Macoupin County in 1838, removed to this town in 1845, and located at Matan- 
zas. where he resided several years, and then removed to his farm about five 
miles east of Havana, and afterward to the city of Havana. About 1866, he 
removed to Mason City. He claims to have introduced the first McCormick's 
Reaper into this county, and sold it afterward to William Ainsworth, of Lynch- 
burg Township. 

The Clotfelters settled in Bath Township in 1839-10. They came from 
Morgan County here, but were natives of some of the older settled States. The 
family consisted of Jacob Clotfelter, Sr.,and his sons Jacob and Michael. The 
old gentleman has been dead some ten years, having removed to Kansas with 
his son Jacob, where he died. Michael lives in this township. Kean Mahoney 
came from the " auld sod" and was one of the early settlers in Bath. He 
owned land near the village, and made an addition to it known as Mahoney's 
Addition. He went to California in 1853, and as he has never returned, if living, 
is probably laboring with Dennis Kearney to compel the " Chinese to go." The 
Beesleys were from New Jersey, and finding plenty of sand here, like their 
own little State down on the Atlantic coast, located in Cass County, and in 
1845 came to this township. The elder Beesley lives at present with his son 
Frank in Jacksonville, while John, another son, lives in the city of Virginia. 
They were prominent merchants and grain-dealers at Bath, and did an exten- 
sive business. D. B. Frost, a down-east Yankee, settled here in 1843, and 
afterward sold out and moved to Wisconsin. 

Drury S. Field came from "Old Virginny," and settled in Mason County 
in 183-, on what is known as Field's Prairie, where he died in 1838. He was 
a physician, and said to be the first practitioner in Mason County. He was a 
man of wealth, and entered considerable land, or had it entered by V. B. 
Holmes, as already noted in this chapter. A. E. Field was a son, and, like his 
father, a "doctor," also a man of intellect and influence in the community. 
Mr. Field raised a large family of children, most of whom are dead. As they 
settled in that portion of Bath which was taken off to form Kilbourne, they are 
further noticed in the history of the latter town. Edward Field, the father of 
Dr. Drury S. Field, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and served through 
the long and desperate struggle for independence. Stokes Edwards came here 
among the pioneers, and still lives in this township, or on the line between this 
and Kilbourne Township. John A. Martin, another pioneer, from the sands of 
New Jersey, came here about 1846 or 1847. He first settled in Morgan County, 
but came to Bath, as recorded above, where he resided until his death, about four 
years ago. Thomas Howard, a brother-in-law to F. S. D. Marshall, came about 



574 HI3T0RY OP M 180N COUNTY. 

1845, and died some y Thomas Hardisty came from Peoria to this settle- 

ment, but was originally from Kentucky, and used to regale his friends with many 
Btorie8 and anecdotes of thai famous old State. Be settled herein 1847 or 1M V . 
remained bul a few years, and then moved awaj J. W. Northern was also an early 
settler, :hkI removed to Kansas, Bince which little has been heard from him. 

! Carman and James Gee, brothers in-law, came here together from Nen 
ifork, in ;m early day, and are both long Bince dead. lohn B. Renshaw came 
in 1845, and was one of the first blacksmiths in the settlement He wenl 
California, and whether living or dead his old associates do Dot know. J. \ 
Burlingame is from Ne* fork, and came to Hath in the forties. He is the 
genial argent for the Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad, at Bath, and is :i 
Gxtare in that position, which he has held Bince the completion of the road. 
S. S. Rochester came from Greene County, this Si somewhere in the 
forties, ami is still living in Bath Village. He waa a strong Democrat, but, at 
the election of I860, for certain reasons, voted the Republican ticket. After 
tin- election was over, the victorious party met in the saloon t<> glorify the result, 
which they did by drinking toasts. A Mr. Samuels, who was a zealous Repub- 
lican, drank the following toast to Mr. Rochester, which, for years, w 
byword among his friends: ••Here is to 'Sydney Breese' Rochester, who 
voted the Republican ticket late in the evening," with a heavy emphasis on the 
last words. Many of Mr. Rochester's old friends will remember thi^ with - 
amusement. A Bon, B. F. Rochester, also lives in Bath, and is one of the 
respected citizens of the place; another is mentioned as Lieutenant in the 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry. Lewie Clarkson came in L883, and was the 

settler on Field's Prairie. He went to Missouri in 1887 or Ih 
Gen. J. M. Ruggles is a native of the old Buckeye State, and came t<> 
Illinois in 1837. lie first came to Mason County in 1844, but did not locate 
until L846. He settled in Bath in that year, and commenced the mercantile 
business with Maj. Gatton. He was elected to the State Semite in 1852, for 
the district composed of Sangamon, Menard and Mason Counties, Abraham 
Lincoln being a member of the Lower Houec. In 1856, he was appointed "i» 

mmittee with Lincoln and Bbenezer Peck. t<> draft a platform and resolu- 
tions for the new party then forming upon the ruins of the old Whig party. 
The other members of the committee being otherwise i ogaged, the duty 
devolved on Raggles, who drew up the first platform of principles of the Repub- 
lican party. In l s iii.<;,,\. fates tendered him a commission as Quarterm 
of tl ivalry. He was Boon promoted to the office of Major of 

the Third Cavalry, in which regiment he remained until mustered out ofsei 

in I 364 "ted in another part of this chapter. In all the positions held by 

Gen. Ruggles, whether civil or military, liis duty has been discharged with 
faithful fidelity. He owns a fine lot of land in the county, mostly in Kilbourne 
Township, ami resides at present in Havana. Franklin I; _•_ -. a brother of 
Gen. Rug no t" Bath in 1851, and took an interest in the flouring-mill 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 575 

then building by Gatton ^ Ruggles. A saw-mill was also built, which was 
operated by the same power as the flouring mill, and did a large business for 
several years, under the superintendence of Franklin Ruggles. He finally 
wore himself out by hard work and exposure in his business, and died in 1855, 
leaving two sons, John and James, who now lie in the grave beside their father 
in Bath Cemetery. John was killed at the battle of Shiloh. 

Isaac N. Mitchell is a native-born "Sucker." I lis parents were among the 
pioneers of Morgan County, and came there from Kentucky. When Isaac was 
seventeen years old, the family moved to Field's Prairie, in this township, where 
lie worked on the farm until the age of twenty-one, when he came to the village 
of Bath. In 1867, he was elected Treasurer of Mason County, and, in 1869, 
County Clerk. He has held various other minor offices, in all of which he has 
given satisfaction. He is at present one of the respected citizens of Havana- 
Daniel 11. Davis and Benjamin Sisson were from New England. The latter 
came to the settlement about 1842, and died several years ago. Davis was one 
of the first settlers on the prairie east of Bath, and came as early as 1838—89. 
He was an old sailor, and had been all over the world. In an altercation, one 
day in Bath, he was struck with a scale weight, from the effect of which he 
died. Leslie and George Lacy were from the old Quaker State of Pennsylva- 
nia and came to the settlement about 1842. Both are still living in the town- 
ship. Henry McCleary was a jolly Irishman, and the life of the early settlers 
of Bath. He is recorded among the pioneers and many are the jokes traced to 
his authorship. One beautiful Sabbath morning about sunrise, he was slip- 
ping out with his gun, when some one asked him where he was going. With 
ready Irish repartee, replied, that he had an appointment to meet Messrs. Hol- 
land and Lefever (two very strict church members), down by the river and go 
hunting, and he was afraid he would be late." He was a carpenter, and when 
Dr. Oneal erected anew office in Bath, McCleary was engaged to do the work. 
Dr. Oneal had a partition put in the office, which seemed to puzzle the Irish 
man. One day he stopped work and told the Doctor if he would pardon his 
curiosity, he would like to ask "what he was having that partition put in for, 
anyhow V " The Doctor told him that a couple of young men, viz.: Toler and 
Atherton, were going to study medicine with him, and he wanted a back room 
where the young men would be secure against interruption. McCleary, scratch- 
ing his head, replied, " Well, I don't know anything about Atherton, but that 
Toler boy is just — fool enough to make a doctor." Dr. John C. Calloway was 
an early settler of Bath and had a successful run of practice for several years, 
and then moved to Kansas. John II. Teney is an old resident of the county, 
living in Bath ; also, B. C. Anton. James M. Robinson came about li 
and was elected the first Police Magistrate of Bath. He had been in the I. a 
islature from Menard County. 

From " Bingen on the Rhine." the following sturdy citizens came to Bath 
Township: G. II. and J. H. Kramer, J. H. and Diedrich Strube, Peter Lilly, 



BISTQR1 "I MASON < 01 ST1 

Adolpfa Krebaum, John Havighorst, and two brothers, John Rudolph Horstman 
ainl John Henry Horstman. The Kramers came to this country together, and 
are both still Living, highly respected citizen* I Bath. They are among the 

prominent business men of the place, and have accum ilated a g 1 deal of the 

world's wealth. J. II. and Diedrich Strubewere also brothers, and came about 
1844—45. •'. II. Strube is still living, l>ut Diedrich has been dead some time. 
Their father rami' to Illinois with them, but he too, died years ago. Adolph 
Krebaum was elected Circuit Clerk and moved to Bath in L845, and remained 
there until 1861, when the county seat was moved hack to Havana. Peter 
Luly is among the early Bottlers, but it is not known what year be came to the 
town. He went to Peoria and died there. John Rudolph Qorstman ran. 
Bath in 1836, and was a blacksmith by trade. His brother, John Henry Horst- 
man, came aboul four years later. A peculiarity of these brothers was both 
bearing the name of John. They have been dead some time. Havighoi 
among the early settlers, and located at .Mai.-m/ is. hut now lives in Havana, 
where the Havighorst family is more particularly referred to among the early 
settlers, as well as the Schultes and Krebaums. They have grown up with 
this great country, of which they had heard in their own land, and crossed the 

in to try their fortunes where all arc free, regardless of the poet's plea 
words i" the contrary : 

11 -| reclit ! w.iniin cogl ihr ron dannen 

Dae Neckarthal ha) Wein und Korn ; 
Dor Schwarzwald >iclii vol! finstrer Tannen, 

I in Spesaarl klin;_'t dee Alpler*a Born 

BARL1 5CBNK8 \M' PRIVATIONS. 

When the pioneers whose names arc recorded above came to this section, 
Township was uol the highly cultivated forming district it is now. Wild 
prairies, timber-land, marshes and sloughs then, arc now finely-improved farm-. 
The timber has been cleared off, prairies turned upside down and marshes 
drained. By ditching and artificial draining, much land ^nrr supposed to be 
worthless may now be reckoned among the best in the town. In place of the 

mi country - of the present day. a cabin of black-jack poles, 

daubed with mud. sheltered the settler and his family. Wolves were plenty. 
with m>w ami then a panther t<> relieve the monotony. The present generation 
know little of what their parents had to undergo in opening up the country. 

In the early times, the pe >ple went to mill at Duncan's, "it Spoon R 
in Fulton County, until Simmonds built a mill on Quiver, which was more 
convenient, inasmuch as it was on the same aide of the Illinois River that they 
were themselves. A few years after Simmons built his mill, McHarry erected 
one. also, "ii Quiver Creek. These supplied the people of this section until the 
erection of a mill in the village of Hath. There are no mills in the township 

outside of the \ ill B 



HISTORY OF M.\so\ COUNTY. 577 

The first blacksmith in the township was Guy Spencer. He was an East- 
ern man and one of the early settlers of the county. He died twenty or 
twenty-five years ago. The first stores and post offices were in the villages, 
and art- noticed in that connection. 

The first school, it is believed, was taught by Miss Berry, who. some time 
after, married F. S. D. Marshall, noticed in this chapter as one of the pio- 
neers. She was a stepdaughter of B. F. Turner, brother of Smith Turner. 

The first death to occur in the settlement was Louis Van Court, an old 
hunter. He was a bachelor, and lived " around," staying first with one and 
then with another, and was very wealthy — owning a gun, a fiddle and an axe. 
He died in 1836, ami, as an old settler informed us, was buried in the sand, 
near where the village of Moscow once stood. Since his day, many of the pio- 
neers have followed him to the land of shadows. 

Hiram Blunt, a son of Thomas Blunt, is supposed to have been the first 
birth in Bath. At any rate, he always claimed to have been the first born in 
the county — contesting that honor with Mr. Krebaum, who is elsewhere men- 
tioned as the first in the county. The first marriage is lost in the mists of 
antiquity ; but that there has been a first marriage, followed by many others, 
the present population bears indisputable evidence. 

The first messenger to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation to the people 
of Bath Township was the Rev. "Mr. Shunk, a Methodist minister. He estab- 
lished the first class and church of that denomination, and used to preach at 
Maj. Gatton's before there was any church edifice erected in the town. He 
came originally from Pennsylvania about 1841, and died some three years ago 
from the effects of sunstroke. Another of the early preachers was the Rev. 
Mr. Daniels, of the Baptist Church, who is still living in the village of Bath. 
and occasionally preaches in the Christian Church of Bath. Rev. George A. 
Bonney was also an early preacher in this section, and of the Methodist denomi- 
nation. There are two church edifices in the township outside of the village, 
viz. : Mt. Zion Baptist Church, on Sec. 35, some five or six miles southeast of 
Bath : it was erected twenty years or more ago, and is an ordinary frame 
building. The other is a German Lutheran Church, in the northeast part of 
the town. It is a neat frame edifice, built about 1864-65, and well attended 
by the German citizens, who comprise most of the population in this part of 
the town. 

THE RAILROADS. 

Bath Township is traversed by the Peoria, Pekin i: Jacksonville Railroad, 
which was completed through the town in 1850. A full history of this road 
is given elsewhere in this work, and will not be repeated in this chapter. It is 
the only railroad running through Bath, about twelve or thirteen miles of it 
being in the town. The Springfield & North- Western Railroad, which was com- 
pleted through from Springfield to Havana in 1n7-'j, although not touching this 



BISTORT OF M LE BIT. 

ght from it. much of the grain in tl. 
_ r hauled t" Kilboun ipped over this road. Thus it 

will that Bat: ip. with the benefit of two railroads ami river 

trar - q, is well supplied with shipping facilit; - 

Mason Count 1 township organisation in 1861, when some changes 

le in the boundaries of the original ton - - lection precincts. 

formerly included in adary one half of the present town of Kil- 

bonri i in the history of that town. I'nder the new order of tl 

J. H. Allen wa< the Bret § of Bath Township, while J. II. Dierker 

' in the honorable County Board. 
In politics B Township has always Keen Democratic, and. since the 

Republican party, it has been • _.. Democratic 

than ev.-r. During war. it was loyal to the core, and furnished troo] 

ill calls. No d] in the town during the entire stn:_ 

ami it could have Btood another call without having be to one — 

pretr _ ipporf ->f Mr. Lincoln's assertion, that he could never 

put down the rebellion without t ; ince of the War Den f the 

We.*t Bath turned out a number of Bhoulder-straps, as well ;i< her full q 

a the former, we may mention the gallanl j j -. noticed 
in tl - in another page. He went into tl it*»n- 

.'•"t and ' .!ry. but was soon promoted to 

the Third Cavalry, and. at the battl< Lieutenant 

be was brev< te B gadier G< aeral for meri- 
iptain in the Eighty-fifth Regiment 
of infantry : T V. I' rain in - giment; Charles II. Chat- 

field -lie home snd veteranized, an I 

elecfc _ sent, and was killed at Chickanu nuel 

m Lieutenant in _ C. II. Raymond, i Jl 1. itenant 

. and was promoted 
- • of war ; A. J. B Killed in 

•I II Mitchell and A T. Davis were I ota in the - enth 

• I. 11. Schulte, Captain, and W. W. N - . . Lieutenant, in the I 
Hundred and Eighth Infantry: \V. H 1; itenant in Twi 

enth Infantry; J. W. Chatfield - nent; A. II. 

naul and then < laptain in the Fifty 

Infantry ; Robert Husl I. Charles Eteichman, 

at in T ehth Infantrv : V - I .--hall and W. \\". 

fifth Infantry ; Frank \ M edy and John B. 

I and Thirty niir B _• hundred 

and file, too aumeroui I in thi< limit. 

front 
of the fray. Tot > luid down their I i \ • - battle-fie 



HISTORY «»F MAS STY 

THE VILLAGE OF BATH. 

Bath was laid out in 1 S John Curtain, who owned the land. It was 

surveyed by Abraham Lincoln. Deputy Survey Sangamon County: and 

the plat of the original fifteen blocks, surveyed by the martyred Presidei 
now in the seas d of Maj. Gatton. but so defaced that little is to be 
learned from the document. The plat was acknowledged before Thomas Mof- 
fatt afterward Judge Moffatt. of Springfield), and recorded by Benjamin Tal- 
bot. Recorder of Sangamon County, under date of December 13, 1^ 

n bought out Curtain, and thus became one of the proprietors of the 
town. There have been several additions made to the original fifteen block 
Bath. amono; which we mav notice those of Dummer & Mahonev. R — . 
ton, Bunton & Martin, and Rubles' Addition. 

Mr. Lincoln and his surveying party, during their work at Bath, boarded 
with Charley Richardson, who acted as one of the chain-carrier*. The foU 
in£ £ood storv is told as having occurred, while the surveyors were domicile! 
at Mr. Richardson's. A party of sportsmen from Schuyler County came 
on a hunt. and. as the hotels were all full at the time > with Sunday-school and 
temperance excursionists . they were "taken in " by Mr. Richardson, and pro- 
vided for as well as the nature of the case would permit. " Billy " Br 
one of the Schuyler County " tads " (who had partaken bountifully of deer 
meat and wild honey*, like John on the Isle of Patmos i Richardson lived then 
on Grand Island | had a vision during the night, in which he saw the world on 
tire, an event he seemed desirous to evade. Rising from the - 
the puncheons of Mr. Richardson's cabin floor, still half asleep, he looked 
through a crack between lo^s of the wall, and saw the blazing furnace of an Illi- 
nois River steamer with her prow turned shoreward, near where the cabin 

L Her shrill whistle, for the purpose of awakening the men at the wood- 
yard, was mistaken by Brown for Gabriel's trumpet. Dropping upon his kr. 
he engaged in fervent prayer, much to the amusement of Mr. Lincoln and the 
others of the parry. Brown did not hear the last o( his devotional exer - - 
while the hunters remained, and perhaps not for many a day after their return 
home. 

The first house erected in the present village, deserving the name 
ing, was built by Maj. Gatton, or rather he had it built. His brother, R. P. 
Gatton. came up and superintended its erection, and when it was completed 
Maj. Gatton moved into it. When his house was erected, there was a little 
D standing in the precincts of the present village, which had been built 
bv a man named Carey. Gatton 'a house was o( hewed loirs, as alreadv noticed 
in the township history, and is still standing. 

The first store was opened by Xelms k Gatton in 1842 - >n after them 

Col. West began merchandising, and kept the second store in Bath. The I - 
blacksmith is the same as mentioned in the township history. The merca: 



BISTORT OP MA80N OOUNTT. 

business steadily increased until Bath becam< --ful competitor of Havana, 

the oldest town in the county. 

The first post office was established in 1M_. and B. II. Gratton appointed 
Postmaster. He carried the mail himself from Havana to Bath for six months, 
for which (Jncle 8am neglected to pay him, notwithstanding the old gentle- 
man has always been considered _ r 1 for hi- debts to hie pnblic servants. II - 

first quarter's pay as Postmaster amounted to the rousing sum of 1 
principally cash. John S. Wilbourn succeeded Mr. Gatton as Postmat 
After various changes in this department, I . B. Lindsley has succeeded to the 

(.Hire. 

Gatton & Ruggles built the first mill in Bath, about L850-51, aj 
about $12,000, which bad two run of buhrs. After several years' opera- 
tion, it became the property of a man named Robinson, who took out the 
machinery and moved it across the river, and the frame was moved down on 
the railroad and converted into a grain elevator, which purpose it still se 
Craggs, noticed among the early settlers, built a saw-mill in the bottom, some 

- after the one mentioned above, which was bought by Marshall, and was 
afterward moved into the village, lie made several additions to it. changed it 
into ;i flouring mill, and finally made a fortune out of it during the war. He 
sold it to Cameron & Fletcher. Some years ago, it was burned, and the present 
•• Bath Mills" built. The structure is a substantial frame, with three run of 

buhrs, and cost ahoiit $6,000. The first tavern was kept by Col. West, in what 
is now the Central Motel, though it has been enlarged and improved since its 
first occupation as a place of public entertainment. It is now kept by Mr. 

Barr, and is the only hotel in the village. Before it was opened by Col. 
. Maj. Gatton used to entertain the wayfaring men who chanced to come 

this way. 

The grain trade at Bath was, at one time, the most extensive in the county, 
pt Havana. The first dealer was Maj. Gratton, who commenced the bus- 
early. He bought grain here for about four years, when .1. M. 
uiie his partner. This partnership continued at intervals from 
1846 t<> i860. The first was under the firm name of Ruggles X Co., and 
extended from L84G to 1849, when GattOD had a violent attack of gold \'<-\<-w 

Bold out and crossed the plain- to California. < >n his return, business was 
resumed with Ruggles, under the firm name of Gratton, Raggles & Co., when 
Gatton took a relapse of the gold fever, and again made an overland trip to 
California. When he again came hack to Illinois, the old partnership was 

renewed, as Gatton & l!w_ fhe first elevator \\a< huilt hy < rattoU, hut 

the most of the shipping by him and his firm was by river, in barges and canal 
ho:it-. B ere often loaded at their wharf and shipped direct to New York. 

B -in ami New Orleans. There are two large grain elevators and grain ware- 
houses on the railroad, with large Btorage capacity. Mrs. Simmon- now owns 
die one built by Gratton. The other is owned by the Havigl •■ The 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 581 

grain trade at present is carried on by Gatton,* Low & Foster, of Havana, and 
Wilson, Garni & Co., of Beardstown. The latter firm do the largest business, 
and ship by the river exclusively, owning their own boats and barges, and will, 
eventually (Mr. Gatton says), absorb the entire grain trade of the place. 
Before the completion of the Springfield k North- Western Railroad, the business 
at this point reached an average of 500,000 bushels annually, but has been 
diminishing ever since its completion, owing to the fact that those in the eastern 
part of the township, who used to come to Bath with their grain, now ship over 
that road. 

CHURCH \M» -CHOOL EDIFICES. 

The first church erected in the village of Bath was by the Old School 
Presbyterians, in the lower part of the town, assisted by all " sects, kindred 
and tongues," with the understanding that it was to be free to all denomina- 
tions. But no sooner was it finished than the doors were shut against them. 
This denomination, however, at no time was very strong, and finally became 
almost extinct by removals and death, when the church was sold to the authori- 
ties, moved into the public square, and converted into a town hall. The Metho- 
dist Church was built soon after the Presbyterian, on a lot donated by Gatton 
for the purpose. It is a frame building, and cost about $1,500. The mem- 
bership is twenty-five, and Rev. Mr. Lowe is Pastor. A flourishing Sunday 
school is maintained, under the superintendence of Warren Heberling. About 
sixty-five is the average attendance of the school. 

A few years later, the Christian Church was built, at a cost of about §1,500. 
It is also a frame building, and was built on lots donated for the purpose by 
Gen. Ruggles. The membership is small, and no regular pastor is in attend- 
ance. Rev. J. A. Daniels, a local minister of the Baptist denomination, fills 
the pulpit occasionally, with now and then a visiting brother of their own 
creed from some neighboring diocese. A Sunday school, somewhat limited in 
attendance, is carried on, of which Stephen Brown is Superintendent. 

The name of the first pedagogue in the village of Bath is not now remem- 
bered. The first schoolhouse was the building erected for a Court House. 
when Hath was the seat of justice of the county, and which reverted to the 
proprietors of the town when the county seat was moved back to Havana. They 
sold the building to the School Board, and thus it became a temple of learning 
instead of a temple of justice. It was used as a schoolhouse until the erec- 
tion of the present elegant brick, which stands in the old Court House Square, 
and was built in 1872, at a cost of S>.nnu. J t j s a handsome structure, and 
an ornament to the town. Prof. McKean was Principal for the term just closed, 
with Mrs. McKean, Mhs Norbury and Mrs. Hudnall as teachers. 

Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship, those benevolent organizations that fol- 
low close in the footsteps of civilization, are represented by flourishing Lodges 

* Bince tin* was written. MbJ. Gatton baa removed t.' M Ih mi I and located in Qann City, Can County. 



BISTORT OF M 180M OOUNTT. 

in Bath. The Odd Fellows were the first to establish a Lodge here. From 
B. P. Rochi - rotary, we received the following facte in regard to 

it: "Bath Lodge, No. 126, [. 0. 0. F.. was instituted July 29, 1- 
by M. II. F. Schooley, D. 6. M., assisted by the following gentlemen, 
who represented the Grand Lodge: J. W. Naylor, Grand Marshal; V. G 
Sims. Grand 3 urj ; L. IF Doss, Grand Treasurer; 8. P. Guin, Grand 

Warden; Zachariah Gatton, G. G M and P. 0. Brien, G. C. The charter mem- 
bers were Harvej Oneal, IF P. Gatton, J. J. Taylor, George W. Pettitt, F. 
B. Lindsley, G. IF Havighorst and John 11. Havighorst. The first ofl 
wore: Harvey Oneal, Noble Grand ; J. J. Taylor, Vice Grand ; G. EL IF 
horst, Secretary; IF P. Gatton, Treasurer ; John IF Havighorst, Conductor; 
G. W. Pettitt, Warden, ami F. IF FimFlev, Inside Guard. A lis! of 138 
signatures are attached to the roll of membership, and. at present, there are 
L5 active members, among whom is J. A. Burlingame, who was initiated August 
15, L853, and baa ever retained his membership, is a Fast Grand, and. we pre- 
sume, the oldesl member of the Order in the county. Within the past five 
years, the Lodge and its members have contributed nearly (800 for the relief 
of the members and their families. It owns real estate and lodge-fixtures 
valued at (1,000, and its warrants are regarded as cash. The officers-elecl for 
the term commencing duly I. 1879, are as follows, viz.: John F. Fond. N. <i.: 
John F. Ashurst, V. <F; John M. Martin, Treasurer, and B. F. Rochester, 
Secretary. The meetings of the Lodge are on the Monday evenings of each 
week." 

Bath Lodge, A.. F. & A. Mason-;, was organized under dispensation in June, 
L866, issued by Jerome B. Gorin, Acting Grand Master. The charter mem- 
bers were William W. Turner. Charles Reiohman, Charles W. Houghton, John 
P. Poland, John IF Johnson, Thomas Webb and J. M. Beesley, of whom 
< 'harles \Y. Houghton was named in the dispensation as Master, Charles Reich- 
man, Senior Warden, and John H. Johnson, Junior Warden. October 3, Li 
it was chartered as Bath Lodge, No. i t{ \. and its charter Bigned by Most Wor- 
shipful IF P. IF Bromwell, Grand Master. The first officers elected under 
the charter were : Charles W. Houghton, Master; Charles Reichman Senior 
Warden: J. C. Wright, Junior Warden ; J. IF Johnson, Treasurer ; J. M. 
Beesley, Secretary; Warren Heberling, Senior Deacon; T. P. Renshaw, Junior 
Deacon, and \\ . \\ . Turner, Tiler. The present officers are: Warren Heber- 
ling, Master; J. IF Dierker, Senior Warden ; M. Prank, Junior Warden ; F>. 
IF Gatton, Treasurer; J. S. Duncan, Secretary; G. W. Mm,, re. Senior Dea- 
con; J. S. Allen. Junior Deacon, and F. K. Shirtcliff, Tiler, with forty-four 
oames on the roll of membership. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition, 
owns the eleganl and handsomely furnished ball in which it meets, and its affairs 
are conducted by an efficient corps of officers. 



HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. ?>*'> 



THE COUNTY SEAT QUESTION. 



It may be interesting to future readers of this authentic history, to know 
that Bath was once the capital of Mason County. She not only aspired to 
that dignity but attained it, and for a period of eight years was the sent of 
justice. As pertinent to the subject, we copy the following from the county 
map. Speaking of the location of the county seat.it says: "There was 
much dissatisfaction on the part of the inhabitants of Bath, who, justly or 
unjustly, thought that their town offered superior advantages as the seat of jus- 
tice of Mason County. An agitation of the subject was kept up, and finally 
an act, approved January 19, 1843, was obtained from the Legislature, author- 
izing another election to be held on the second Monday of February of that 
year. Polls were opened at three places; at James Walker's, in Havana, at 
Lynchburg and at Bath, where votes were received for the towns of Bath and 
Havana for the county seat. Bath received a majority of votes and was 
declared the county seat. Its inhabitants soon had the satisfaction of seeing 
the archives of the county removed to their town. The June term of the 
Circuit Court for 1844 was held at Bath, the previous June'term having been 
held at Havana. Entire satisfaction was not yet obtained. Havana still had 
aspirations which could only be satisfied by another removal of the seat of jus- 
tice, and, in February, 1851, legislation was obtained by which another elec- 
tion was held on the second Monday of March, 1851, at which the question 
was again brought before the people. The clerks of election opened two col- 
umns, one 'For Havana.' and the other 'Against Removal.' The election 
resulted in again making Havana the county seat, which it has since continued 
to be." Thus Bath lost its hard-earned dignity, was shorn of its fleeting hon- 
ors, and as a consequence, its "glory departed forever." This county seat 
question, however, is more particularly referred to in the county history. 

As stated in the above extract, the first session of Circuit Court was held 
at Bath, in June, 1844, and, as no building had yet been erected, it was held at 
the house of Col. West. But a Court House was at once erected by the pro- 
prietors of the village. It was a commodious brick structure, two stories high, 
with offices on the first floor and the hall of justice above. The building was 
36x40 feet, and cost about $3,000. It was built as cheaply as possible, the 
brick being manufactured near the spot, and the other material procured at the 
lowest figures. When the county seat was moved back to Havana, the build- 
ing was sold to the village for school purposes, as elsewhere stated. 

VILLAGE ORGANIZATION. 

The village of Bath was originally incorporated under a special act of the 
Legislature, approved February, 1857. The charter was prepared by Gen. 
Ruggles with great care, and is said to have been the best and most perfect 
instrument of its kind in the State of Illinois. An election was held on the 



586 B18T0RI OF MASON COUNTY. 

first Monday in April of the same year, which resulted in the election of J. 
M. Buggies, Han '. I!. II. Gatton, Samuel Young and Richard Bigsby, 

Town Councilmen. The Board organised by fleeting B. II. Gratton, President; 
<i. II. Campbell, Clerk and Treasurer; Jamee M. Robinson, Police M tg -Mate, 
and John II. Johnson, Town Constable. It remained under this style of gov- 
ernmenl until 1876, when it was organised under the general law, and the 
following Board of Trustees elected, viz.: Warren Beberling, F. S. Cogeshall, 
B. II. Gratton, P. Perkins and J. S. Allen. This Board was organized with 
B. H. Gatton, President, and L. Carpenter, Clerk and Treasurer. At present 
the Board consists of John L. Rochester, J. II. Allen, A. Schaaf, M. Frank. 
John K. Qorstman and J. II. Daniels. John L. Rochester is President of the 
Board; L. Carpenter, Clerk; II. ftfiddlecamp, Treasurer, and G. W. M 
Police Magistrate. 

The cemetery on the southern limits of the tillage is a beautiful burying- 
ground, inclosed by a handsome fence, and kept in most excellent order. The 
firsl interment in its "silent shades" was a daughter of Col. West Sh< 
teaching Bchool at Virgin County, al the time of her death and her 

father (Col. West) came to Gen. Ruggles and suggested the propriety of ■ 
burying-ground being laid off, and remarked that he would like to bring bis 
daughter here for interment. Etuggles went and staked off the present ceme- 
tery, saw the parties who owned the land, and arranged for its pure) 
Having surveyor's instrument-, he surveyed it and laid off the lots before the 
first burial in it. Since then, many of the pioneers of the Tillage and town- 
ship have been laid beneath its weeping willows, to take their last long sleep. 

•■ \\ here are their spirits flown I 

We g&ie abOTe -their tool ged there: 

We listen — and their gentle tones 

Are on the :iir." 

Although the business of Rath has been waning for several years, as other 
villages have sprung up in its vicinity, yet it is the center o\' trade for a 1 
and rich -cope of country. Its grain trade has always been its most valuable 

branch of business, I- mercantile trade boasts of some able firms and ener- 
getic and wide-awake business men. The following summary shows the pres- 
ent statu- of the business of the place: Two dry goods stores, two dn 

two tinware, die hardware, four grocery BtoreS, "lie I'm nitiire. one hotel, with 
blacksmith. Wagon and -hoe .-hops, grain dealer.-, etc. Several well-filled mil- 

lini i furnish the lair portion of the population with all the fashionable 

flummery and female toggery of the tin 

on, iii the -outh part of the town, ha- -carccly attained to the 

dignity of a village. It consists of a Btore, depot and grain elevator, bul 

sever, we believe, been laid out as a village. The station is located on the 

land of Joseph Adkin-. and the only store of the place is kept by a son 01 

Adkins. who also buy- grain f-i Low & Foster, of Havana. Large shipments 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 587 

are made from this point, considering its close proximity to Bath and Chandler- 

ville. 

NON EST INVENT l .-. 

Among the early villages laid out in what is now Mason County, were those 
of Matanzas and Moscow. But they have paid nature's great debt, and no 
trace of them remains at the present day to mark their site. Matanzas was 
laid out April 10, 1839, by V. B. Holmes and a man named Watkins Powell, 
and was located on portions of Sections 28 and 33, of Bath Township, near the 
northern part. When laid out, it was in Tazewell County, Mason not being created 
until two years later. J. H. Schulte, an early settler of Havana Township, 
had the first store in Matanzas, and was followed later by one or two others. 
Shops were established, a steam saw-mill was built, which did a large business 
for several years. It became quite a point for grain-shipping, and, being 
located on the river, it was confidently believed that its situation would be the 
means of making a town of it. We believe, too, that it once entered into com- 
petition for the county seat, after the formation of Mason County. But 
Havana on the one side and Bath on the other, soon blasted its hopes in that 
direction, and, literally speaking, swallowed it up. Its streets, public parks 
and pleasure gardens are now corn-fields, and the passing stranger would be 
struck with wonder, that a lively town had once flourished there. 

The fate of Matanzas will also apply to Moscow. It is another of the 
villages of Bath Township that was and is not. It was laid out May 30, 1836, 
on Section 24, by Erastus Wright, for Ossian M. Ross, and was, at one time, 
an enterprising little village. Joseph A. Phelps had a store here, perhaps the 
first one in the place. Situated on the river, it, too, was a grain point of con- 
siderable note, Maj. Gatton being one of the most extensive operators here. 
But in the zenith of its glory and prosperity, it never equaled in magnificence 
its namesake — the ancient capital of Russia. Since the day of railroads in 
Mason County, Moscow has disappeared, and, like Matanzas, the site whereon 
it stood is now a productive farm. Thus two lively villages of Bath Township 
have been totally eclipsed by more fortunate rivals, and the places that once 
knew them will know them no more. 



MANITO TOWNSHIP. 

I [e who attempts to present with unvarying accuracy the annals of a county, 
or even of a district do larger than a township, the history of which reaches 
back through a period of more than a quarter of a century, imposes upon him- 
self a task beset with difficulties on every hand. These difficulties are often 
augmented by statements widely at variance, furnished by early settlers and 
their descendants as data from which to compile a true and faithful record of 
past events. To claim for a work of this character perfect freedom from the 
slightest inaccuracies would be simply to arrogate to one's self that degree of 



HISTORY OP M L80N COUNT1 

wisdom which alone resides in the councils of the omniscient 1 Am. If. ti 
fore, kind reader, the time and plac< lay not, in every par- 

ticular, agree with your individual opinion, please hear in mind we will i 
incline to those statements which Beem supported by the greater weigl 
timony. To give only, should be the highest aim and ambi- 

tion of every writer who professes to deal with incidents of the past. This shall 
be our goal, this our guiding-star. Ho"« well the ta<k shall be performed, 
we submit to the judgment of a discriminating public. The township of 
Man i to is Bituated in the northeast corner of Mason County, and com] 
within its presenl limits a little inure than forty-five sections, [t is s imewhat 
irregular in shape, being eight miles in extent along its northern boundary 
line, by nine miles north and south along 'its eastern boundary line. The 
extreme wesl line of the township is l>ut tour miles in extent from north to south. 
With the exception of two or three small groves in the north and northwestern 
ons ol the township, the entire area of Nfanito Township is prairie. The 
central, eastern and southeastern portions are somewhal flat, yet for the i 
part easily Busceptiljle of drainage. When the first settlers came, much of 

■ ■ portion- were denominated Bwamp-lands, but these. l»v artificial draii 
have been converted into the most productive Farm- within her limits. Ami 
where once wild geese and ducks in countless numbers swam lazily about amidst 
the rank-growing rushes or floated calmly ami undisturbed upon the stagnant 
waters, may now be neon finely cultivated fields teeming with the fast-ripening 
harvest. The soil in this portion of the township is of a de,-p black loam, 
freely intermixed trith sand, bul dingly fertile and productive. Indeed. 

>uch a va-t amount of corn. md wheat i- annually produced in this 

portion of Manito ami those adjacent t" it. that the citizens have for many 
year- recognized the propriety of* designating it as their Egypt. Corn, how- 
ever, is the >taple product of this, as well as most other portions of the county. 

o tortuous stream courses its way through the township. Water, bowevi 
easily obtained even in the highest portion- at a depth of from twenty to thirty 
feet. A hollow, pointed iron tube, one and one-half inches in diameter, with 
slottings near the point for the admission of water, is driven to the required 
depth below the Burface, ami, when once a vein i- tapped^ an inexhaustible 
Bupply is afforded. In tin- manner, a "drove-well" thirty feet deep can he 
begun and completed in a few hours' time. The northwestern and western por- 
tions of the township varies in its surface configurations from that which we 
have described. The aoil i- newhat different character, the lighter 

colored ami more argillace >us subsoil appearing at or near the Burface. The 

surface is a plane of higher elevation and is somewhat broken and hilly. It is. 
however, quite productive and yields tine crop- of OOIH. One peculiar 

characteristic of the soil i- that it can withstand e droughl or long con- 

tinued wel weather better than that portion known a- Egypt. Tie 
drawback to this section i- it- lack of pasturage and meadon land-. Farmers 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. •>'.' 

are necessitated to feed their stock throughout the entire year and to procure 
their hay from a distance, varying from twelve to fifteen miles. In position, 
this township lies north of Forest City Township, east of Quiver Township, 
south and west of Tazewell County. Passing from the topography of the 
township, we enter at once upon that period of its history pertaining to its 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

As has already been stated, the timbered area of Manito Township was of 
limited extent. Black Oak Grove in the northeast, Coon Grove on Sections 
31 and 32, together with the outskirts of Long Point Timber on the extreme 
western boundary, comprise the timbered district, with the exception of a small 
grove on Section 30, not exceeding six acres in extent, called Walnut Grove. 
from the character of the timber found there. And as in other portions of our 
Western country, the earliest settlements and improvements are -found in and 
along the outskirts of the timber, so, likewise, the earliest settlements were 
made here in the groves of this township. No matter how unproductive the 
soil along the timber line, nor how rich and fertile the broad acres of out- 
stretching prairie might be a few miles away, the early pioneer built his rude 
log cabin near the timber and began the work of opening up his farm, leaving 
for those who should succeed him after the lapse of a decade or more of years, 
the most productive and finest farming lands in all his section of territory. 
Among the earliest, if not the earliest settler of the township, was one William 
Herron, who settled as early as 1838 or 1839, just east of the present village 
of Manito, on the farm now owned by John Woodworth. He had emigrated 
from Ohio to Mackinaw, Tazewell County, some years earlier, and from Mack- 
inaw to Mason County, and settled in the edge of Black Oak Grove, as before 
stated. A maiden sister kept his house for him. He lived the life of a bach- 
elor and, dying, was buried on the farm on which he settled, few, if any now 
living, can point out the exact spot where repose the mortal remains of Man- 
ito's earliest settler. To him may be applied most fittingly the words of the 

' " Not in the churchyard's hallowed ground, 

Where marble columns rise around. 
By willow or by cypress shade, 
Are thy poor mortal relies laid. 
Thou sleekest here, all. all alone — 
\ ' i. titer grave is near thine own. 
'Tis well, 'tis well, hut oh. such fate 
Seems very, very desolate." 

At or near the same time came Stephen W. Porter, accompanied by his 
wife, and settled near the edge of the pond now included within the corporate 
limits of the village of Manito. Porter was a nephew of Ilerron's. and came 
here from Mackinaw. He continued to live in this section of the county up 
to the date of his demise. A man by the name of Ray came from New York 



590 BI8T0B1 OP M kSON I OUNT1 

and Bottled in Coon Grove, or ratlin- between Coon Grove and Long Point 
timber, on the farm now owned by W. II. Cogdell, as earlj as 1840. He 
buill a log cabin and was the third permanent Bottler in the township. S 
after coming, he planted a quantity of apple-seeds, and from the Beedlings thus 
raised put out the first apple orchard made in this Bection of the county. The 
line of the P., P. & J. It . 1 through this orchard a short distance north- 

of Forest City. There yet remain a few of the tree- planted by the 
hands of the early Bottler nearly forty ;. After a few years' r< 

he -"M out his possessions and started back to the Empiri 9 but sickened 
ami died on the way. As an evidence that labor was cheap and monej scarce 
with the early Bottlers*, it may he stated that the making of rails could be con- 
tracted for two bits or 25 cents per hundred, and the pay was taken in meat at 
12| cents per pound, two pounds paying for the labor of making one hundred 
rails. Of Bottlers in the township as early as l v k"> the following names occur: 
: Maloney, Layton Rice, George Baxter, John Davis, King Hibbard, 
.lane- Green, Thomas Landreth, Zeno A.shmon, William Mayes, I '•> 
I ' >rne, Alexander and Wesley Brisbaur. Maloney came originally from the 
nhl Dominion and settled in Menard in 1838. In 1*41. became to Manito 
Township and settled in Coon Grove near the location of Union Si 
the P., P. *v J. R. R. He was in poor circumstances when he came, but accu- 
mulated means rapidly and was considered wealthy at the time of his death, 
which event occurred in L849. \\\< <"\\ William and his daughter, Mrs. Rob- 
ert M. Cox, at present reside in the village of Manito. liiee came from Ken- 
tucky and first settled in Menard, hut. m 1842, came to Coon Grove and began 
the improvement of a farm. George Baxter was from Kentucky, and "squat- 
in the edge of Long Point timber as early as L843. He • what 
noted among t lit- early settler- but not l>y any means popular. a< his precon- 
ceived notions of the eternal fitness of all things had led him to form a matri- 
monial alliance with one of Kentucky's ebon daughters, whom he made the 

sharer of hi- BOITOW8 and the doubler of his joys. He had come to this greal 
and growing State, where he might enjoy the society of his loved companion 

and the comfort- of hi^ home unmolested, where, figuratively Bpeaking, he 
might worship beneath his own vine and fig-tree, but booh it seems the red 
hand of persecution was raised against him. Robert Green entered him out in 
1845, and he next located weel of Simmond's Mills, in Quiver Township. 
Green followed him up, and, a fen years later, he moved with his fair bride to 
the State of Missouri, and was Been no more in this goodly land. The year 
L843 brought into the settlement Davis, Hibbard and Green. Davis 
from Virginia, and had first Bottled in Menard before coming to Mason 
County. He settled the farm uow known as the Randolph farm, and had, at 
the date of his settlement, a family of four girls ami three hoy-. II 
remembered among the old Bettlere a- tin- man whonever was seen wearing a 
pair of gloves or mitten-. No matter how inclement the weather, his labor 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 591 

was always performed bare-handed. Hibbard came from Mackinaw, and set- 
tled at the north end of Black Oak Grove. After a residence of a few years, 
lie sold out, purchased three yoke of oxen from Thomas Landreth and started 
by the overland route for Oregon. As he was never heard of afterward, it 
is presumed that both lie and his family fell victims to the unerring rifle or 
tomahawk of the noble red man of the forest. James Green came from Men- 
ard County to Coon Grove, but, a few years later, returned to his former resi- 
dence. About the same date. Indiana furnished to the population Zeno Ash- 
more and a brother named Calvin, the latter popularly known far and wide as 
" Jefunky." The Ashmores are represented as being rather shiftless in their 
dispositions. Zeno settled and lived for a time on what is known as the 
McIIarry place, a part of which is included in the present limits of the village 
of Manito. "Jefunky" lived around promiscuously for a number of years and 
finally located in Washington, Tazewell County, where he died some eight 
or ten years ago. Thomas Landreth came from Virginia and settled at Mack- 
inaw, Tazewell County, as early as 1824 or 1825. In 1844, he came to Coon 
Grove, Mason County, where for $200 he purchased the claim of Layton Rice. 
Rice returned to Menard County, and now resides not far from Mason City. 
Landreth became a permanent settler, remaining until his decease. At the 
date of his coming, he had a family of six children. He was twice married 
and was the father of twenty-two children. His son, John S. Landreth, is now 
a citizen of Manito Village. William Mayes and Douglas Osborne were 
from Kentucky, and the Brisbaurs from Mackinaw. These came in during the 
year 1845. Mayes was familiarly known as "Hame-Legs" Mayes, a name 
applied to him on account of his excessive bow-leggedness. Of the Brisbaurs, 
it may be stated that in quite an early day, Alexander removed to Texas and 
Wesley to Oregon. While this portion of the county did not rapidly increase 
in population till some years later, nevertheless there was annually a steady, 
healthy increase. As early as 1850, we may add to the list of names already 
given, those of Jacob Jacobs and family, James Overton, Amos Ganson, 
William and Nult Green, and that of Col. Robert S. Moore. Jacobs was 
from New York and Overton from Kentucky. Amos Ganson settled in Egypt, 
southeast of Manito. and opened a blacksmith-shop, the first in the township. 
Col. Moore was originally from Kentucky. His parents settled in Sangamon 
(now Menard) County, in 1837. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and 
participated in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, etc. He located his 
land warrant in Manito Township, and became a resident of the county in 
April. 1849. He was the founder of the village of Spring Lake, a village 
established at the head of a small lake of the same name, near the boundary line 
between Tazewell and Mason Counties. He built a grain warehouse here as 
early as L850 or 1851, and engaged in buying and shipping grain. John 
Pemberton, Emery Hall. Matthew Langston. James M. Langston, M. W. 
Rodgers, James K. Cox and his son Robert M. Cox. Riley Morris and John 



BISTORT OP M LSOK I 01 NTT. 

0. Randolph were citizens of Manito Township as early as 1851, Pemberton 
and Hall may possibly have come as early a- 1849. The others all came in 
L850, except the Coxes, who came in 1851. The Langstons came from Ten- 
nessee to that part of Morgan County afterward included within the limits "f 

County, and from Scotl to Mason. Rodgers was from Kentucky. 
Langstons and R purchased the pre-emption rights and improvemi 

of James McCoy, who had setded just across the line in that part of Tazewell 
County lying cast of Manito Township. Matthew Langston bad Berved in tin- 
war with Mexico, and laid his land warrant in Section 1. Manito Township. 
James M. Langston located in the same section, and Rodgers just north of the 
Langstons, on Section '■'<■>. These were among the earliest settlements made on 
the prairie any considerable distance from the timber. Joseph Li 1 in 

the immediate neighborhood in the summer of 1850. He came from England, 
and, after a residence of fourteen or fifteen years, sold out and returned to his 
oative land. James K. Cox was a native of Virginia. In 1810, he emigi 
to Tennessee, thence to Madison County, 111., in 1819. From there he 
removed to Morgan County in 1 s l'l'. and. in L851, to Mason County, locating 
on the site of the present village of Manito. During the years 1851, l- 
1853, l v ~>l and 1855, the prairie portion of the township -ruled up very rap- 
idly, BO thai any attempt to give the names of settlers and the order of their 
Coming in would he utterly vain. With this somewhat hasty glance at the 
early settlements of the township, we Will ploded at once • inewhat, 

the general appearance of the country as it appealed to the early pioneer, and 
Bome of the many difficulties with which he hail to contend in procuring and 
establishing a home for himself ami those dependent upon him. 

BRAL FEATURES, ETC. 

When the first settlers came, the prairie, stretching back east from the river, 
presented to the eye a grand and imposing scene. As far away as the 
could reach, the tall, blue-stem prairie grass was waving in the autumn br< 
like a boundless sea. This, with the myriads of Bowers of all hues and colors inter- 
spersed, awakened feelings of admiration which the finest landscape gardening 
fails to inspire. Nature had wrought a work which an can never equal. Many 
of the flowers planted and nourished by the hand of Nature's God far surpassed 
in delicacy and beauty those of rarest culture of to-day. Every fall, the whole 
face of the country was Bwept over by fire, the flames of which would reach 
high up toward the leavens, then Bwoop down, reaching a hundred feet al 
taking into their grasp the tinder-like material. None but those who have 
our prairie fires of twenty or thirty years ago can comprehend their magnifi- 
cent grandeur. At the date of the earliest settlements, game of all kinds 
abounded in plenteous profusion. It was by no mean- an uncommon thin. 
see herds of deer ranging in numbers of from Beventy-five to one hundred, and 

their com-, was plainly marked by the parting of the tall grass. Often - 






HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 593 

would they approach within rifle-distance of the pioneer's cabin, and many the 
fine fat buck or juicy doe that paid the forfeit of its life for this act of forward 
ness. Oftentimes, too, would they put the husbandman's" labor to naught bj 
completely destroying his patch of " garden-sass " in a single night. Wild 
geese, ducks, cranes and other water-fowls were here in abundance, and were 
not a little source of annoyance to the early settlers in the destruction of their 
crops. Sometimes, an entire field of wheat would be destroyed in a few days 
bv iiocks of geese, as the biting of the geese seemed to poison the tender plant 
and utterly destroy it. The wily wolf and artful fox came in for their share 
of depredations, in robbing hen-roosts, pig-sties and sheep-cotes ; and what a 
wolf didn't knov; about howling wasn't worth knowing. When Abel Maloney, 
who has already been mentioned as one of the earliest settlers, first came, he 
brought with him his two oldest boys, William and John, together with some 
little stock. After erecting his log cabin, he returned to Menard County for 
his companion and the rest of the family. The boys were left to take care of 
the house and look after the stock. William, who now resides in the village of 
Manito, thus relates his experience : " Soon after my father left us, a continu- 
ous rain set in, by which the Sangamon and its tributaries were so swollen that 
he was unable to return until after the lapse of four long weeks. During that 
period, Ave looked upon no human face save that of each other. At night, we 
would take the geese, ducks and chickens, along with the dogs, into the cabin 
and securely bar the doors, preparatory to trying to sleep. A.S soon as the twi- 
light began to deepen, the wolves began their orgies. Between the squealing 
of the hogs and the howding of the wolves, night was rendered hideous and 
sleep seemed to be forever divorced from our eyelids. Indeed, we sometimes 
feared, from the vigor with which they howled around our cabin and scratched 
at its rude door, that they might effect an entrance and make mincemeat out 
of our poor little bodies ere the coming of the gray morning in the east should 
force them again into their secret coverts. Not a hog was left out of the num- 
ber brought, on my father's return. You may imagine we welcomed the old 
folks right heartily when they did put in an appearance." Coon Grove was so 
named from the vast number of coons found there in an early day. The same 
authority states that, when they came in 1841, "the woods were full of 'em." 
Many of the trees were hollow, and had beside them Indian ladders i saplings 
with the limbs cut off some distance from the body), and holes chopped into the 
trees — evidently the work of the Indians, made in their attempts to catch "old 
Zip Coon." At certain seasons of the year. Mr. Maloney states that they were 
wont to go, about sunset, and drive them from the fields like droves of sheep. 
The were very destructive to crops near the grove. While the early pi<>i 
of this section were exempt from many of the graver difficulties with which the 
settlers of other portions who had preceded them by a decade or more of years were 
forced to contend, yet theirs was by no means a life of ease and luxury. Homes 
were to be provided, farms to be made, and implements necessary to their 



594 HISTORY OP MA80H COUNTY 

successful cultivation to I"- procured. Money with them was scarce, for, generally 
speaking, they were men of limited means, who had left the more densely popu- 
lated portions <>f our own country to try their fortunes in the greal and grow- 
ing Wi-i. Their milling was done, oftentimes, fifteen to eighteen miles away. 
Their principal trading was done at Pekin, Mackinaw, Delavan and Havana. 
At these points, they sold their products and laid in their supplies of dry _ 
and s In times of high-water, they would take their grists to Spring 

Lake by ox-team, and from thence in skills down through the lake, up the 
river, and thence, through < Jopperas Creek, to Utiea, in Pulton < lounty, rowing i 
distance of eighl or ten miles. If a plow needed repairing, it nm-i needs be 
carried to Pekin, Mackinaw or Havana. It took all summer to raise a crop, 
and all winter to deliver it. 

If we may credit the statements of their descendants, the early sett]. 
this section were cot men of deep religious convictions. Although the invin- 
cible circuit-rider was among them at an early day, we hear of qo general 
religious awakening until comparatively a recent* date. An unfailing indica- 
tion that the Sabbath Day had dawned, was to Bee the women equipped with 
fishing-tackle, the men with their gun- and ace. interments, all parties mov- 
ing out headed toward Spring Lake. 11,-re the day was passed in pleasure- 
ng and merry-making. Sometimes the men would stake off a race-course, 
and. attired in a earb which was rather an abridgmentof a Hottenl time, 

would indulge in foot racing. We are by no means to conclude from this that 
they were savage in their dispositions, for none more hospitable to the stranger, 
or the one in need, could he found than the early settler- of Manito. It wis 
simply their way of having -port. Fighting and quarreling were all 

unknown amongst them ; and if a friendly fisticuff sometimes occurred, the 

Combatants generally left the battle-field good friend-. They did not f 

nor neglect the early educational Interests of their children. Consequently, 

we find them at an early day in their history building a BChoolhoUSe, and main- 
taining a school by subscriptions. The first schoolhouse in the township 

ted near the site of the present residence of William Starritt, in Coon Grove. 
It was constructed of round l"_ r -. notched down at the corners, and was chinked 
and daubed after the approved pioneer style. The building was sixteen feet 
square, hadonewindow of three lights, 3x10, and a door of entrance. It may have 
been a little dark for purposes of study on a oloudy day. l.ut it was certainly 

admirably adapted to weak eyes. It wa- covered will clapboards, and when it 

rained drops came down about as well inside as out. though not quite as fast. 

Stephen W. Porter i- given as the first Solon who directed the footsteps of the 
aspiring youth of Manito up the rug The second school 

building wa- :i hewed log house, erected in the limit- of the present village of 

Mamto. \\ se Adeline Broderick ami Mr-. Rachel <>tt were among the first 
teachers in this house \ - prese.nl the township has seven Bchool buildings, 
each a neat frame, supplied with the more modern improvements for the 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 595 

comfort of the pupils. From the Treasurer's last report to the County Superin- 
tendent, we find the principal of the township fund to he $2,963 ; amount of 
tax levied. $1,!"»25 ; value of school property, $2,100 ; number of scholars under 
twenty-one (including color), 178 ; between six and twenty-one, 195 ; males 
between six and twenty-one, 130 ; females, 139 : highest wages paid male teach- 
ers. $50 : highest paid females, $55 ; total amount paid for school purposes, 
$1,316.50 ; males between twelve and twenty-one unable to read and write. 2; 
cause, neglect of parents and willful neglect of child. 

EARLY POST OFFICES, PREACHERS, DOCTORS, ETC. 

The first post office established in Manito Township was kept by Col. R. 
S. Moore, at his residence, on what is now known as the P. W. Gay farm. This 
was established in 1851, on the route leading from Havana to Delavan. It was 
called Pilot Hill Post Office, after a high hill on the route, some three or four 
miles northwest of the point at which it was kept. A year or two later, it was 
moved farther south, toward Havana, to the residence of John Pemberton, who 
was the second Postmaster. At a still later date, it was taken to Berkstresser's 
store, at a point called Egypt Station, and was re-christened with the name of 
Egypt Station Post Office. Finally, on the establishment of the village of 
Manito, and the consequent overthrow of Egypt Station, it was remove 
Manito, and the name of the office was changed to that of the town. 

Ministers, in connection with the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian 
Churches, came among the people in an early day, to preach to them the word 
of life. Meetings were held at the homes of the settlers. Rev. Caldwell, a 
Methodist minister, was, perhaps, the first who had regular stated appoint- 
ments. The Baptist and Presbyterian brethren were not far behind him in 
point of time. 

At a later date, the ubiquitous Methodist itinerant, Peter Cartwright. was 
in their midst. He was present in 1852 or 1H53, and conducted a camp-meet- 
ing at Walnut Grove, at which there was a great awakening among the people. 
Many were happily converted, and remained faithful workers in the ranks of 
the Church throughout the remainder of their lives. As late as the spring of 
1 s o'5. he preached in the village of Manito, in the upper story of the building 
now occupied by Messrs. Burnett & Perrill as a general merchandise and drug 
store. 

Dr. John Allen, who resided near McHarryVmill, in what is now Quiver 
Township, was the first practitioner who sought to alleviate their aches and 
pains. Dr. Mastiller came at quite an early day. He was a student in the 
office of Dr. Allen. Dr. Ilolton, who located at Spring Lake, in Tazewell 
County, was also among the earlier practitioners. The first resident physician 
in the township was Dr. John B. Meigs, a young man who came in 1855 or 
L8 *>. and who still resides in the village of Manito. He came from Macou- 
pin County. Others have followed, too numerous to mention. 



HISTORY OF M kSON COUNT! 

Richard L. Porter, a Bon of Stephen W. Porter, was, so far as can be 
ascertained, the fir>t child born of white parents in the township. His birth 
dates back to L841. The firsl death of which we have any account given was 
that of William Berron, who li;is already been mentioned as the earliest Bettler, 
ami who* is <m the farm on which he first Bettled. The exact date of 

his death cannot lined, though it must have occurred as early as 1M1 

or 1845. The first wedding was celebrated between Alexander Graves and 
Polly Ashmon. This happy event occurred in L846, at the residence of the 
bride's father, Zeno Ashmon, one of the early Bettlers. 

Outside of the village of Manito, but two houses of worship have been 

ted in the township. These are both in the eastern portion. <>n,- 
German Lutheran, or Lutheran Evangelical, and the other a German Meth- 
odist, <>r. a< it is commonly designated, Albright. These churches were both 
built in 1869. Rev. Reisinger organized the Lutheran congregation in l v, '7. 
and was Pastor of the Church Bom< Rev. Henry Siering followed him, 

and was the spiritual teacher of the congregation about five years, when he was 
succeeded by his brother, Rev. Hermann Siering, the present Pastor in charge. 
The Church has a membership of about fifty souls. They have regular services 
and a flourishing Sunday Bchool. Of the Albright, <>r German Methodist, we 
unable to loam any particulars other than that the Bociety is in a prosper- 
ous condition, meeting regularly for worship, and having a Sunday school con- 
nected with it of fine interest. 

No mill was ever built in the township save the one of recent date, built in 
the village, and to which reference will be made in its history. The P., P. ft 
J. I!, road enters the township near the center of the southern boundary of 

ion 6, and, passing through in a general northeastern direction, leav< 
at the northeast corner of Section 21, thus giving to the township about five 
miles of railroad. 

Among her citizens who have received political preferment at the hand-; of 
the citizens of the county, we may mention tin- name- of John Pemberton ami 
Matthew Langston. John Pemberton or " Uncle Jackey," as he is familiarly 
called, wa a Associate Justice of the county in 1 S J'.'. The other mem- 

bers who assisted in holding down the Beat of justice were Smith Turner, 
County Judge, and Robert McReynolds, Associate. This position lie held 
until l s .~.:'.. II. \ i- also chosen to represent the county in the Lower 1! 
m quite an early day. It is .-aid of him th i al was his seal to Becure ;* 

successful issue of the campaign, whereby Mason County might be properly 
represented at the capita] and a Beat for himself secured in the Grand Council, 

that be was found once or twi< utside the limit- of his county, earnestly 

engaged in trying to persuade the citizens of an adjoining county that he was 

the proper man to represent Mason County in the General Assembly, and thai 

he would 1"' grateful to them for their Bupport. Thia he did. not with any 

• obtaining his Beat fraudulently, but rimply from the faet that he did 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 597 

not recognize that lie had passed beyond the limits of his own county. A 
vote for and against township organization was taken November 11, 1861, 
to take effect April, 1*<>:2 The vote for adoption prevailed, and lion. Lyman 
Lacy, of Havana. Maj. 15. 11. Gatton, of Bath, and Hon. Matthew Langston, 
of Manito, were chosen Commissioners to divide the county into townships. 
Mr. Langston was chosen first Supervisor of Manito Township, and held the 
office three terms in succession. In 1865, he was elected to the office of 
County Judge, and sat upon the judicial bench two years, at the end of which 
he resigned the position to devote himself more fully to his private affairs. 
In 1871 and 1872, he represented his county in the Lower House, at Spring- 
field. Since then, he has devoted himself to the quiet pursuits of agricul- 
tural life. 

The township of Manito acquired its name from that of the village, 
which had been platted and recorded before the township was laid out. 
About twenty-five years ago, a tragedy occurred within her borders, and with 
a brief allusion to this we will close our township history. In 181!' or 1850, 
Benjamin Alwood and family, consisting of his two sons — Andrew Jackson 
and Hugh M. — and two daughters, came from New Jersey and settled not 
far southeast of the present village of Manito. The Alwood family were pos- 
sessed of considerable means, and entered a large amount of land. From vari- 
ous causes, they soon became unpopular with their neighbors, whether justly 
or otherwise it is not our province to explain. The feeling of hatred grew 
into gigantic proportions, and finally culminated in open demonstrations. As 
early as 1853 or 1854, a party in disguise waited upon the family and informed 
them that they must quit the neighborhood. The Alwoods informed them that 
they had come to stay, and did not propose to be frightened away. Xot long 
afterward, a crop of w^heat belonging to a man by the name of Hovt was destroyed 
by fire. It was the generally received opinion, though it was by no means 
supported by positive proof, that the Alwoods had a hand in the burning, or. 
at least, had privy knowledge of the fact that it would occur. At any rate, 
this was made a pretext for destroying their entire crop, by way, as it was said. 
of retaliation. This was followed up by the burning of their house and the 
shooting of Hugh M. and one of his sisters. The shooting in this instance 
did not, however, prove fatal. It so happened that at the burning of the 
wheat crop. Jack Alwood followed the parties, and succeeded in identify- 
ing some of them before he was discovered and forced to llee for his life. 
Legal proceedings were instituted, and a number of persons were indicted 
before the grand jury. Trials were appointed, but were postponed from time 
to time. 

After the burning of their home, the Alwood family moved to Quiver 
Township and remained a short time. Returning, they built a hewed-log 
house and set about raising their crops. In the fall of 1 *.>•>. while Jack 
Alwood was in his field, engaged in cutting up corn, he was shot by unknown 



598 H18T0RY OP MASON COUNT? 

parties, and instantly killed. This put an end to the prosecution of indict- 
ments against parties supposed to have been engaged in the destruction of 
their property. While this sad occurrence was deeply deplored by the I 
class of citizens, it whs nothing more than had been expected' for months pre- 
vious to its commission. Be had been warned time and again that a continued 
attempt on his part to prosecute the indictments found would speedily lead him 
to an untimely grave. Lei us hope that no similar occurrence may ever again 
darken the fair name of Manito Township and those of her citizens. 

M \.\ri" \ [LLAOE. 

This village, Bltuated on the I'.. P. ^.1. 11. II.. near the center of the north- 
ern boundary of the township, was surveyed and platted by -lame-; B »ggs, I deputy 
County Surveyor, for James K Cox, Robert M. Cox and William A. Langston, 
in 1858. Soon after the laying-out of the town, Hon. Hugh Fullerton, of 
Havana, acquired an interest for the influent 1 by him in procuring the 

location of the depot on the village site. The expectations of the proprii 
mu-t have Keen very great, and they possibly may have imagined that in the 
rearing of the fust two or three buildings they beheld a miniature Chicago in 
embryo arising in their midst. One hundred and ten acre- were laid out in 
blocks, streets and alleys. Manito did not increase in growth very rapidly, 
until the (dose of the war. in L865. Egypt Station had been laid out in 1- 
on the line of the railroad, about three-iourths of a mile southwest of where 
Manito now stands, and when the road went into operation, in 1859, from Pekin 
t>> Virginia, the contest for the mastery waxed warm. Egypt Station had the 
advantage in the beginning, in that she already had two or three Btores and the 

post office, hut Manito Becured the location of the depot, and immediately the 
scepter departed out of Egypt. The village of Spring Lake, which has aln 
been mentioned as having been established by Col. Robert S. Moore, as early 
a- 1851, contributed to the upbuilding of Manito. by giving her business men 
ami citizenship to swell the population of the newly begun village. The farm 
lence of James K. Cox, erected in 1851, stands near the center of the busi- 
part of the village, east of the railroad, and may he easily recognized from 
the fact that it stands at an angle of about forty-five degrees with the sti 

fronting it. The fust business house in the village was elected by dame- K. 
Col and was occupied early in I860 !>y Iv A. Rosher, as a general merchan- 
dise -toic. Mi. Rosl er is -till a citizen, ami is the veteran merchant of the 

village. The second Btore in the village was kepi by J. P. & Alexander Trent, 
A. M. Pollard, from Spring Lake, opened a grocery -tore in 1861. Langston 
& Havens, Rankin & Luckenburg, had each a general Btore quite early in its 
history. J. Mosher opened the first drug store in 1865 or 1866. In 1- 
Smith, Hippen & Co., of Pekin, built an elevator, at 8 000. It 

a capacity of 15,000 bushels, and 10,000 bushels can lie handled through it per 

day. It i- operated under the personal supervision of Fred Knollhoff, who 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 598 

member of the firm. The firm of Smith, Ilippen & Co. was the first in tha 
place to purchase grain on an extensive scale. Their annual shipments range 
from 250,000 to 300,000 bushels. Previous to the building of the elevator, a 
Mr. Cranwill had bought grain for some years, at this point, and shipped 
in gunny sacks on fiats. In 1876, James A. McComas built the Manito ele- 
vator, at a cost of $6,500. It had a capacity of 20,000 bushels, and, in annual 
shipments, ranged from 200,000 to 250,000 bushels, making the total annual 
shipments from the village from 500,000 to 600,000 bushels. This was 
operated by McComas one year; afterward by different parties, and, in 1878, 
Grier & Co., of Peoria, took charge of it. It was totally destroyed by fire on 
the 2i»th of May, 1879. The building contained 5,000 bushels of grain at the 
time of its destruction. The village of Manito is conceded to be the best grain 
point on the P., P. & J. R. R., from Peoria to Havana, except Pekin. The 
business trade of the village aggregates about $500,000 annually. Some of the 
statements in regard to the history of the village and the dates of their occur- 
rence may not be, in every particular, correct, but this is owing to the fact that 
the village records have been twice destroyed by fire, and the dates given are 
those that have been furnished us by the citizens who took an active part in the 
proceedings. The village was incorporated under the special act known as the 
Springfield and Quincy Act, in 1866. The following named persons were 
chosen as members of the first Board of Trustees : R. S. Eakin, Joe W. 
Brooks, Smith Mosher, Joe Cranwill and E. W. Crispell. The Board selected 
R. S. Eakin, President; Joe W. Brooks. Treasurer, and Joe Cranwill, Clerk. 
Stephen W. Porter was first Police Magistrate. The village continued under 
this organization till 1875, when the charter was surrendered by vote, and it 
was re-organized under the general law for cities and villages. The present 
Board consists of W. B. Robison, Thomas Boon, Joel Cowan, J. S. Pollard, M. 
Lins and A. J. Roberts. The officers of the Board are : W. B. Robison, Pres- 
ident ; J. S.Walker, Treasurer; W. C. Hall, Clerk; R. S. Eakin, Police 
Justice. 

(IiritCHES, LODGES, ETC. 

The Methodist Church was erected in 1867. Among the early pastors, we 
find the names of Revs. Middleton, Sloan, Shagley and Goldsmith. Rev. 
Sloan is remembered as the minister who was accustomed to make the entire 
round of his circuits on foot. Stephen W. Porter and family, Thomas Boon 
and family. Father Nash, P. S. Trent and family, were among the early com- 
municants of the Church. Elders Miller and Page, of the Campbellite order, 
held meetings here at an early day. and had at one time an organization, but 
did not build a house of worship. The Catholic Church was built about 1870. 
The building is a neat frame, patterned after the modern style of church build- 
ings. They have a large and flourishing congregation. Sabbath schools are 
regularly held at both churches. In 1861, a petition was presented to the 
Post Office Department, praying for a removal of the post office from Egypt 



600 HISTORY OP M ISON 0OUNTT. 

m to M ; i n i t - > . with a change in name to that of the village. The prayer 
of the petition waa granted, and Smith Mosher was appointed first Postmae 
He waa succeeded in office by hia brother, John Mosher, in 1865. In 1 - 
\. M. Pollard waa appointed, and, in 1869, E. A. Kosher received the appoint- 
ment, and still hold- the position. 

In l^T 11 . .1. X Shanholtzer erected a Bteam grist-mill in the village. Tins 

i- tlic first and only mill ever built in the township. Tin' cost of construction 

8 1,000. It hue two rim- of stone, ami ia capable "i" turning out 

_!itrrii or twenty barrels of flour per day. It baa a fine fun of custom, 

ami manufactures a first-class quality of flour. 

Manito I L, P. and A. Masons, was organized under dispens 

• irshipful Deputy Grand Master J. M. Gorin, in 1865. In < >eto- 
ber, ! :harter was issued from the Grand Lodge, over the signatures of 

II. I'. II. Bromwell, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and II. <i. Reynolds, 
to Henry A. Sweet, I.' S. Eakin, A. <i. II. Conover, John 
Thomas, Peter W. 1 Ruthenburg, A. A. Griffin, Smith Mosher, Perry 

W. Thomas, Hubbard Latham, Zachariah Miller and W. W. Pierce aa charter 
members. Henry A. Sweel waa appointed W. M. ; I!. S. Eakin, >> W.; A. 
G. II. Conover, J. W. Regular meetings oceur on the firal and third Wednes- 

of each month. In 1878, the lodge room waa buill by a joint-stock 
ciation. In the destructive fire which occurred December 22, l s 7 s . the I. 
lined heavy loss, the records, furniture ami paraphernalia being entirely 
sumed. At present it has a membership of tweuty-two. The present offi- 
are: R. S. Eakin, W. M.; W. B. Robison, S. W.; E S. Starrett, J.W.; J. 
P. ('-.wan. Treasurer: Fred Knollhoff, Secretary ;J. C. Perkins, S. D.; R.W. 
Whiteford, J. D.; M. W. El . A Lodgeofl. « ». O. F. was organ- 

ized a 1 mi it the year 1^71. but has Borne time since cease 1 I i exist. 

The village at present has a population of about 600, and has four genera] 

ihandise 3tores, two groceries, tw<» drug and* notion stores, one harness-shop, 

two hoot and shoe simps, one hardware store and tin shop, one millinery, notion 

and fane. lishment, three general blacksmithing and repair shops. 

Drs. J. S. Walker and J. 1! McCluggage are residenl physicians, and deal oat 

pills and powders for the pains and ache- of the people, while William Malonej 
deals out coal in quantities tO suit the purchaser. 

The carlv Bottlers of the village were fond of playing practical jokes upon 
each other, ami frequently did not Bcruple to tackle even Btrangere. Before 

■ rate pon conferred, it i< stated that a man by the name of M 

came in and desired to star! a saloon. He approached Joe Cranwill on the sub- 
in i Joe furnished him the necessary license, for which he charged him the 
round -urn of $25. Joeshovcd the money down in hia own pockety and let the 
- into the Becret, and, aa he .-pent most if not all of it in "aetting 'em up." 
nothing waa -aid aboul it. ami it waa many moons before Moore found out that 

his license waa a fraud, and that he had been tricked out of his money. Many 




&<?L c^t e &m <-^&CZJzJ^ 



^\, 



JLLF/V? G/PO'/i. 7r 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 603 

of the early denizens of the village will remember the days when " High Cod 
Court," as it was called, was in vogue. This was not a chartered institution, 
so far as we could learn, nor do we know that it had the sanction of the power- 
that be, ordained to meet in solemn conclave at Springfield biennially, in its 
establishment. But certain it is that it existed. Having charged some indi- 
vidual with an offense against the peace and dignity of the village, the Court 
would assemble and proceed to try the offender. The person presiding was 
dubbed the lion. Judge Advocate, to whom all matters of difference between 
the lawyers for prosecution and defense were submitted, and from whose decis- 
ion there was no appeal. Witnesses were called and examined, who were not 
expected to tell the truth any more than a witness of 10-day is expected to tes- 
tify to facts before a Congressional Investigating Committee. Indeed, the oath 
administered had a saving clause for the prosecution, couched in these words : 
" And you furthermore swear that you will not tell the truth in the case now 
pending, wherein," etc. No matter how clearly the defendant might prove his 
innocence, conviction was sure to follow. The penalty was generally drinks 
for the crowd, and usually cost the accused about $1. But these days have 
long since passed away, and the citizens of Manito are as staid and sober-going 
people as are their neighbors. And yet the old citizens love to recount these 
days of fun and frolic, and, in imagination, live over again the scenes and 
incidents of their early manhood's years. The name Manito was undoubtedly 
taken from the Indian word Manitou, though with just what significance it was 
applied to the village, we have no means of determining. 

ALLEN'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 

This division is on the eastern line of the county, and is known as Town- 
ship 21 and 22 north, Range 5 west of the Third Principal Meridian. It 
embraces in its limits thirty-six full sections — a Congressional Township — but 
does not exactly coincide with the Congressional survey. In establishing the 
boundaries of the townships, the southern tier of sections of Town 21, Range 
5, was included in Mason City Township, and the southern tier of Town 22, 
same range, was made the northern limit of Allen's Grove Township. The 
position of the township is north of Mason City Township, east of Pennsyl- 
vania Township, south of Tazewell County and west of Logan County. 
Excepting two or three copses or groves of timber of limited extent, which 
stand out in the prairie like islands in the ocean, the entire area of the town- 
ship is prairie land. The most important of these is Allen's Grove, from which 
the township took its name. It comprises about five hundred acres, mostly in 
Section 9, and is the point in and around which the early settlements in the 
township were made. In an early day, before the clear, ringing note of the 
woodman's ax was heard reverberating throughout its aisles and along its cor- 
ridors, much timber, valuable for building and other purposes, was here found. 

x 



604 HISTORY OF M L80N OOUHTY. 

At present, but little that is valuable, except for fencing and firewood, remains. 
Swamp Grove, in the northwesl corner, and Lake <irove, on Sections 19 and 
20, are of far Leas importance, and contain no valuable timber. These three 
igether with a portion <>f Cherry Grove, on tin- line between M 

and Allen's Ghrove Townships, constitute tin- entire woodland distric 
this section. No natural water-course i> found in any portion of tin- township. 
Norton's Lake, in Section - ; '-. occupying the Bpace of about one hundred ami 
twenty acres, is the only body of water of any consequence within its limits. 
This i- a place of resorl for bathing and fishing. The eastern and southern 

ms of the township are well adapted to the growth of vegetables, corn, 

wheat, rye. barley ami oats. The soil is of a somewhat sandy nature, very 
similar in character to that iound in adjacent townships and in the western 
pari of Logan County. To the willing husbandman it yields rich and boun- 
teous harvests. The northwestern portion is low and level, and is embr 
within the district known as swamp-lands. By a system of artificial drainage 
much of this has been rendered arable, and when sufficiently drained for farm- 
ing purposes it is found to be highly productive, possessing a soil of almost 
ezhaustless fertility. In the past few years, many fine farm- have been opened 
up in this heretofore discarded section of the township. The early settlers 
found this portion of the county covered with tall grass and the flower-produo- 
ln the summer, the plains seemed an ocean of flowers of various 
hue-, gracefully waving to the breeze- that swept over them. In the language of 
poesy it may be fitly said that 

■ Travelers entering here, behold around 
a lai Lcioua plain on every side, 

Strewed with beauty, whose (air greasy mound 
Mantled with green, and goodly beautified 

With all iin- ornaments of Flora's pride 

'I he township contains two villages, San Jose and Natrona, the history of 

which will be given in detail at the close of this chapter. The .Jacksonville 

Branch of the ('. & A. Railway enters the township near the northeast cor- 
ner of Section Land, traversing it in a general southwestern direction, |< 
it near the center of the southern boundary of Section 28, giving about -even 
mile- of road-bed t,, the township. That we find the eastern portion of the 
county but Bpanely settled until recently, when compared with other BBCtionS, 
i- doubtless owing to the fact that a large district of swamp-laml. occupying 

the more central portion of the county, completely cut off the eastern settler 
from Havana, the only shipping-point, at that time, for his various products. 
The absence of timber and water-course also exercised a retarding influ< 

over the early settlement. Not until the advent of railroads through this 

tion, and the bringing of market-places ami shipping-points to their very d 
did settlements begin to be made in rapid succession. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 605 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

The first individual, of whom we have any very reliable information, to 
lay a claim in the township was a man by the name of Allen. The best 
information now obtainable indicates that he came to the grove which now 
bears his name as early as the spring or summer of 1830. That he was here 
thus early is established by the fact of his having in cultivation, in wheat, some 
forty or fifty acres east of the grove during the winter of the deep snow. The 
yield is said to have been fifty bushels per acre. What disposition was made 
of it is left to conjecture though it is probable that it found its way into the St. 
Louis market. It is asserted by some that a man by the name of Smith pre- 
ceded Allen a short time, and that in his cabin (erected at the north end of the 
grove) Allen sojourned for a time after coming. Both were bachelors, and, 
Since i. Birds of a feather flock together," 

it may be true that they together enjoyed the sweet seclusion of their bachelor 
home some years before permanent settlements began to be made. Of Smith 
nothing is known, either whence he came or whither he went. Allen is said 
to have come from Kentucky, and, after a sojourn of a year or two, to have 
gone to St. Louis. We are strongly inclined to the opinion that much of the 
account given of these two primitive squatters, for such they must have been, 
should be regarded as traditional rather than historical. David Taylor, from 
Tennessee, is said to have come in the fall of 1831 or spring of 1832, and to 
have purchased Allen's claim. He continued a resident to the date of his 
decease, which occurred a number of years ago. His remains lie entombed 
within the shady grove near the spot of his early struggles and triumphs. A 
number of his near relatives are yet citizens of the township. From a careful 
search of the records, we find that the first entry of land made in Allen's 
Grove was by Benjamin Kellogg, Jr., of Pekin. This was under a patent 
from the United States, bearing date September 29, 1832. No additional 
entries were made prior to 1830, when Messrs. Horace P. Johnson, Ebenezer 
Montague and Robert Goggin entered portions of Sections 4, 8 and '.» respec- 
tively. Samuel Larimore, a scion of the "Old Dominion," had settled near 
the Mackinaw in quite an early day, and thence came to Allen's Grove, 
near the close of the thirties, though the exact date of his removal to this point 
cannot be ascertained. He remained a citizen, making various removals, until 
about two years ago, when he took up his abode in Western lv:ui<as. and. at 
last accounts, was still living. James Iliggins and James Sherry are recorded 
as having come as early as I s 14. They were, probably, from Kentucky, though 
it is by no means absolutely certain that that was the State of their nativity. 
Sherry was single at the time, but soon after coming was married to a daughter 
of David Taylor. 

Settlements were made very slowly here for some years, and it was not 
until land was growing scarce in what were considered more favored localities 



606 HISTORY OF MASON COUHTY. 

that purchases began to be made here. II arvey B. Hawthorne settled eas 
the grove in L848. II.- was originally from Kentucky, but had been :i 
dent of what is now Crane Creek Township some years prior to coming 
Allen's Grove. After a residence of several years, he returned to Crane ''reek 
Township, where lie at pr< des, enjoying the competency gained by :i 

life of honest toil and well-directed energies. A.h tut the Bame time, the settle- 
ment was augmented by the coming of Hiram Stanton, Alexander Woods, I. 

rngle and G *ge Alkire. Stanton was from New Jersey, Woods and Alkire 

from the Buckeye ; ! t i _r 1 * - was a Qoosier, and was the first to proclaim in 

the wilderness the "glad tidings of great }'>y" to the early settlers in and 
around the grove. The-.- wore all that were in the township, so far as we have 
been able to learn, prior to 1850. During the years 1850 and l v ">!. we find 
the names of the following settlers: Samuel Hungleford, George and I. 
Dowell, John McGhee, William Legg, Hank Watkins, Benjamin Davenport, 

ph Taylor, George Leoni and Jackson Houchin. These all settled not far 
from the grove, and it was not till some years later that those coming in had 
sufficient con nture oul upon the prairie. Of those who located in the 

township as early as 1851, but a single one, Jackson Houchin, remains a citi- 
zen i" day. The others have either passed over the dark river to that 
bourne whence they come uot again, or have sought out other fields of labor. 
Jackson Roundtree was a young man who came from < >h i< > in 1851, with 
McGhee and family. He had quite an amount <>f money for those days, and, 
as a mean- of safe-keeping (there being do hank of deposit at a convenient dis- 
tance), he intrusted it to the bosom of Mother ESarth. Some time after burying 
his treasure, he became desirous of making a draw. and. after much frui 

shing, gave il up for lost. Some days later, a hen. plying her daily \ 
tion. that of scratching for food, gladdened the sad heart of young Roundtree 
by bringing the lost treasure to the surface. The Houchin family came from 
Kentucky to Pike County, lml.. in 1836. In the spring of 1850, Jackson, 
mention of whom has already been made, severing the ties that bound him n> 
the paternal roof and the scenes of his early boyhood, set sail in an ox-team 
express for Mason County. He built a cabin, and Bpent the summer and win- 

■ i I860 in what is now Salt Creek Township. In the spring of 1851, he 
came to Allen's Grove, where he entered a quarter* section, built a cabin, and 
began farming. Her.- be has since resided, and, through industry and good 
management, has I himself of a fine tract of land, on which 1 

mend the remnant of bis days. At the date of his settlement, but three 
cabins had been erected on the route from the grove to Delavan, in Tazewell 

County, a distance of fourteen miles. On either hand, the broad, uninhabited 

expanse of prairie stretched away, a boundless and unbounded plain. The first 
year after Houchin came proved to be i very sickly one; to Buch an extent did 
bilious fever, flux and chills prevail that, at one time, there were but two well 

families in the enure settlement The noble -"us <>f Esculapius were not then. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 607 

as now, to be found at every cross-roads and in every town and hamlet. Hiram 
Sikes, M. I)., who, in this da*y, would be esteemed a home-made physician, 
lived at Sugar Grove, and to his hands the entire settlement committed itself in 
this hour of its direst calamity. With a feeling almost akin to desperation, he 
undertook the task of restoring the settlement to its wonted health. By strict 
personal attention to all patients, aided by the absence of many remedies that 
kill about as many as they cure, at the end of one month's faithful service, he 
had so far mastered the different diseases as to be permitted to visit his own 
home for the first time since coming to Allen's Grove. The following year, a 
difficulty having arisen between the Doctor and his eldest son, he mounted his 
horse, and, riding away, has since remained a stranger to his family and the 
borders of Mason County. The old settlers of Allen's Grove have ever held in 
grateful remembrance the labors of him who served them thus faithfully, and 
whatever may have been his faults, over all they are disposed to throw the 
broad mantle of charity. During the years 1852 and 18 53, the names of Dan- 
iel Dillon, Jonathan Hyatt, Haythorn Tallman, the McKinneys, and perhaps 
others not now remembered, were added to the settlers in the township. From a 
pamphlet of some thirty pages, published by Mr. Dillon in 1873, which, though 
nameless, is strongly tinctured with modern spiritualism, we learn the following 
facts in regard to his early history : He is a native of North Carolina, and, 
when two years of age, removed with the family to Clinton County, Ohio. This 
was in 1804. Eight brothers of them came West and settled in what is now 
Tazewell County, on the north side of the Mackinaw, in 1824. They opened 
up their farms not far from the present town of Tremont, in what is now called 
Dillon Township. The red men of the forest were their only neighbors, and 
Mr. Dillon refers with just pride to his personal acquaintance with Delaware 
chiefs, Waupansa and Shabbona. Their early habitations gave rest and com- 
fort to many a weary, wayworn traveler, without money and without price. At 
the time of settlement, they were included in the limits of Sangamon County. 
The jurisdiction of his brother, Nathan, who was an early Justice of the Peace, 
extended to Chicago, and frequently he issued summonses to Chicago, returna- 
ble to his office, the distance between the two points being 150 miles. Daniel 
Dillon took up his residence, in L852, on Section 36, Allen's Grove Township, 
and has since permanently resided here. He was one of the original propri- 
etors of the village of San Jose, and his name will again occur in the history 
of that town. Hyatt and the McKinneys were from Hoosierdom, some of whose 
descendants are still citizens of the township. Tallman was from the East, and 
had spent much of his early life upon the sea. He is represented as a jolly 
old tar, who was made the butt of many a joke by the youngsters of his neigh- 
borhood. 

TRADING AND MILLING POINTS. 

The nearest trading-point, as well as the one most easily accessible to the 
first settlers of this portion of the county, was Delavan. To procure the smallest 



BISTORT OF M 180N OOUNTT. 

amount of merchandise required ;i journey of thirty miles to be performed. 
The sharpening of ;i plow necessitated the same pilgrimage. Their milling was 

done al the Mackinaw, either at Doolittle's or W Irow's mill. Their letl 

which, like angel's visits, were few and far between, were likewise received 
at Delavan. The era of railroads gave to almost -■very community conven- 
iences to which otherwise they must have remained strangers for many y 
!>!•. J. P. Walker was the first physician to engage in the practice of the heal- 
ing art, as a resident practitioner. In 1>.">7, he joined with others in la 
uut Mason City, and. in 1859, made it- his permanent home. The first school 
building in the township was erected in the grove, in 1853. Theold ''timber 
Bchoolhouse," long Bince removed, and, though lost to Bight, yet -till to memory 
dear, was presided over at its opening by a young Miss Woods, daughter of 

Alexander W Is. of whose settlement in the grove mention has already heen 

made The earliest religious services were held by Rev. Levi [ngle, a min 
of the New Light or Old Christian order. Rev. George Miller was the first cir- 
cuit-rider. Meetings were held at the residences of the Bettlers, till the build- 
ing of the schoolhouse, when they were transferred to it. No public housi 
worship, with its tall spire towering heavenward, adorns the township outside of 
the villages of San Jose ami Natrona. The remarkable hailstorm that occurred 
throughout this Bection of the country on the 27th of May. 1850, mention of 
which is made in other portions of this work, is well remembered by some of 
the earlier Bettlers. The storm, accompanied by a high wind, was of short 
duration, yet bo vast was the amount of hail that fell, and to Buch a depth was 
it drifted, in BOme instances from six to eight feet — that on the following 4th of 
duly large quantities of it could still be gathered from the drift piles. Mr. 

Souchin, who was an eye-witness to the storm, avers this to he a met, and says 
that it- effects Were plainly Visible for year- afterward. As lair a- 1851, fully 

four-fifths of the township was Congress land. During the years 1851 and 
1852, targe tracts throughout the town-hip were entered by capitalists ami 

Speculators, and it wns nut till some years later that these land- passed into the 

hands of permanent Bettlers. The \,-av 1867 witnessed the completion of the 
Jacksonville Branch of the C. & A. I!. R. from Jacksonville to Blooming 
and with it came a flood ot' settlers, the establishment and lavinc-out of villa 

tough ot hut recent settlement, when compared with Othei 
of the county, in the importance and value of its products, it rank- second to 

hut few townships in the county. It embraces within its limits large arc 

well adapted to agriculture a- any to he found in this entire region. With her 

rapid development, her educational interests have kept equal pace. She has 
eight Bchool districts, each supplied with a good frame building, in which schools 

are kept the greater part of the year. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 609 



VILLAGE OF SAN JOSE 



This village, situated in the extreme northeast corner of the township, on 
•the Jacksonville Branch of the C. & A. R. R., was surveyed and platted hy E. 
Z. Hunt, County Surveyor, in 1857, for Daniel Dillon, Alexander W. Mor- 
gan, Silas Parker and Zenaa B. Kidder. The original plat contained fifteen 
blocks 300 feet square, and eleven fractional blocks; these were subdivided 
into 23") lots and fifteen fractional lots. The lots adjoining the railroad were 
donated to the company to secure the location of the station and the building 
of the depot. After the laying-out of the village, a public sale of lots was 
held, at which some $3,000 was realized. Private sales were made until the 
sum realized was from $4,000 to $5,000. The investment, in many instances, 
proved a financial loss, inasmuch as the town failed to grow as rapidly as pur- 
chasers had anticipated, and many feeling that they had made a bad investment 
of means, sold their interest at a sacrifice. Moses C. Hicks made an addition 
on the south in 1868. At a later date, Willis Crabb and John Linbarger made 
additions on the east. These last are just across the line, in Logan County. 
Moses C. I licks erected the first building in the village, a residence and busi- 
ness house combined, in the summer of 1858. In this he opened a stock of 
general merchandise. He came from Atlanta, Logan County, at which point 
he had been engaged in the same business. This building is at present occu- 
pied by N. Wool as a boot and shoe shop. The second building was erected 
on the corner of Second and Main streets, and w r as occupied as a hardware 
store by Messrs Morgan & Leeper. Dillon & Morgan soon afterward became 
the proprietors, and, at the end of six months, Dillon purchased the interest of 
his partner and for some time conducted the business alone. This building is 
now occupied by Stuart Hight as a dwelling. With the exception of two or 
three small dwellings, erected by different parties during 1858 and 1859, the 
village took a rest for about ten years. On the prospective completion of the 
railroad, new life was infused into the well-nigh defunct village, and a number 
of dwellings and business houses were erected. Nat Beardsley, from Jersey- 
ville, opened out a stock of general merchandise, in 1862 or 1863, and, after 
operating it about two years, sold to Dr. Knapp and returned whence he came. 
In 1865, Dr. Charles D. Knapp built and opened a drugstore in the room now occu- 
pied by E. S. Linbarger. Hull & Morrison, from Henry, Marshall County, came 
in 1866, erected the building now occupied by Chestnut & Thomas, and started 
a hardware store. Others came in from time to time, and San Jose was soon 
established upon a firm footing. The first grain merchants in the village were 
Buck & Scott, who began the purchase of grain in 1866. A warehouse, built 
by Peter Defries, was converted by Buck ,v Brother into an elevator, about the 
-aine date, and was the first in the village. In 1866, Moses C. Hicks built a 
steam elevator, which was destroyed by fire in 1868. Thomas Little operated 
a warehouse here for some time, which was finallv taken down and moved to- 



610 HISTORY OP M \><»N COl N 

Teheran. In l s 74. I». <i. Cunningham built an elevator mi the site of that 
formerly occupied by Hicks. This he al presenl operates. I'.. \V. N.-1-. -n. of 
Natrona, is also engaged in grain-buying at this point. The amount <>t" grain 
Bhipped from this point ranges from 200,000 to 250,000 bushels annually. Before 
the building of the P., D. & L. road a much greater amount was handled. 
During the summer of 1868, two very important additions were made to tin- 
town in the way of buildings. Moses C. Hicks erected a large and commo- 
dious hotel, at a cost of not less than $6,000. At one time, lit- had as high as 
forty-two regular boarders, in addition to a large transient custom. The same 
year, C. F>- Vanhorn moved the machinery of his grist-mill from Atlanta. 
a County, to San Jose, erected a mill-house, and began tin 1 manufacture 
of Hour. It has two run of -torn- and can turn off twenty barrels per day. 
The machinery »;i» originally jmt in use al Waynesville, De Witt County, by 
»'. Livingston. In 1857, Vanhorn purchased and moved it to Atlanta and 
from there to San dose, as before mentioned. This is the first and only grist- 
mill that has ever been erected in Allen's Grove Township. In L869, A. 
Jacobs & Co. removed their wagon and general blacksmithing shops from Pekin 
to this point. They manufacture from thirty to forty wagons annually and do 
a large amount of general blacksmithing. They have also a branch establish- 
meiit in Mason City. Xenas 15. Kidder was. perhaps, the first blacksmith in 
the village. The post office was established as early as 1^~> V . and M 
Hick- was appointed first Postmaster. Albert McCollister at present occu 
the position and is also ;i Justice of the Peace. Among the early practitioners 
of the village, we find the name-; of \)\< Parker, Voke, Rider and Fain. ' 
which was the firsl to locate we are at a loss to determine. Dr. Charles W. 
Knapp, now of Chicago, was formerly a merchant and practicing physician of 
the place. Dr. Fain is still a resident of the place, bul the accumulated weight 

of year- ha- largely disqualified him for the active pursuit of hi- profession for 
some years past. Drs. Wathan, Holmes and E2. P. Crispell are the present resi- 
dent physician-. 

'in mm:-. LODGES, BTC. 

The Methodisl Episcopal Church was built about 1862 or 1863, at a 
|2,000. Rev. VY. M. 1!. <'.>lt. from Delavan, labored for the society before 
their house of worship was elected. The first meetings of the organization 
were held at Simon Goodale's Schoolhouse, about one mile north of the village. 
Under the administration of Rev. Colt, the subscription for the present bouse 
in the town was started, [saao ( '. Brown, wife and daughter, l>r. Voke, V 
B. Kidder and wife, R. B. Summers and wife, Edward Lyons and wife, Nich- 
olas Lehey and other-, to the number of fourteen, comprised the original organ- 
ization. B •• W. Wolfe was the firsl regular Pastor. Rev. Ilamill 
at presenl officiates. Sen held regularly, and i Sunday school, with 
an average attendance of LOO pupil-, is presided over by Miss Ilamill. daughter 
of the Pastor. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. <i11 

The German M. E. Church was built in 1870, at a cost of $4,000. A 
parsonage, erected at a cost of $2,000, is also the property of the Church. The 
house was dedicated January 22, 1871, Rev. Dr. Leibhardt, of Cincinnati, offi- 
ciating. The society was organized in 1866, and held its first services at a 
schoolhouse some distance in the country. After the building of the M. E. 
Church, they leased it for a portion of the time for a term of five years, but 
only occupied it between two and three years. Rev. Christian Brueggcr was 
the first Pastor. In 1868, Rev. C. F. Schlinger became Pastor in charge, and 
remained till 1871. Under his labors the house was built. Rev. Wilhelm 
Winter succeeded him, remaining two years. Rev. David Hume next became 
minister in charge for three years, and was succeeded by Rev. Frederick Stoff- 
regan, the present Pastor. The society numbers at present about 167. A 
Sunday school was organized at the same time the Church was organized. It 
has an average attendance of thirty officers and teachers, and from 125 to 150 
pupils. The first Superintendent was George Suits ; the position is now held 
by Rev. C. F. Schlinger. In 1876, forty-six members withdrew from the con- 
gregation, and were added to the organizations at Emden and llartsburg. 
Among the early communicants of the Church, we find the names of Fred 
Smith and family, John Rapp and family, Mrs. Wiemer, Henry Schweizer and 
family. John Neef, and others. Regular services are held each Sunday. 

The Society of Regular Baptists was organized in 1868 by members from 
the Church at Delavan. They have as yet no church building. Rev. William 
H. Briggs was the first Pastor, and labored for the congregation four or five 
years. The early meetings of the society were held in the hall over the store- 
room now occupied by Newman & Knapp. In October, 1877, the Church fit- 
ted up a hall in the hotel, which is its present place of meeting. The Church 
has enjoyed the services of Rev. J. A. Brown one year, Rev. S. S. Martin 
three years. Rev. J. M. Horney is now Pastor, and holds services twice per 
month. The Sunday school meets every Lord's Day, and has an attendance 
of seventy-five pupils. T. S. Knapp is Superintendent. 

San Jose Lodge, No. 645, A., F. & A. M., was organized under charter 
from the Grand Lodge, bearing date October 4, A. L. 5870, A. D. l s 7". 
II. Gr. Reynolds was Grand Master, and Orlin II. Miner Grand Secretary. 
Edmund Rodgers, William J. Cunningham, Willis Crabb, Andrew T. Linbar- 
ger, R. B. Williams, William D. Oswald, Daniel W. Dillon, Rufus B. Sum- 
mers, Edward Lyons, Timothy Sullivan, 11. C. McDow r ell, Samuel Dement, 
Edwin Cutler, James J. Kern, Charles Forsythe and Watkin Watkins were 
charter members. The first officers of the Lodge were : Edmund Rodgers, W. 
M.: William J. Cunningham, S. W.: Willis Crabb, J. W. Regular communi- 
rations are held the first and third Thursdays of each month, in their hall 
over Chestnut & Thomas' store. Membership, thirty-three. Present officers : 
D. G. Cunningham, W. M.: II. C. McDowell, S. \W: Willis Crabb. J. W.; 
R. B. Williams, Treasurer ; J. J. Newman, Secretary. Messrs. Crabb and 



612 HI8T0RY OP MASON OOUNTY. 

Williams have held their respective offices ever since the organization of the 
Lodge. 

San .l">e Lodge. No. B80, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted nnder dispensation 
December 23, 1868. \ charter was issued from the Grand I r 12, 

taring the signatures of J. Ward Ellis, G. M.. and Samuel Willard, <i. 
The charter members were : Jonathan Cory, I'.'i : John S. Buck, 1' 
William M. Duffy, Charles N. Hull, John W. Morrison, Same - and 

William Cent. First officers: Jonathan Cory, N. <;.: -I. W. Morrison, \ 
Samuel B ggs, Treasurer, and J. S. Buck, Secretary. Valley Encampment, 
No. L20, was organized under dispensation in May. 1871. A charter 
granted October 10, l s 71. <>\cr the signatures of D. W. Jacoby, Grand Patri- 
arch, and N. i, Grand Scribe. The following persons were named in 
the charter: John S. Buck, John W. Morrison, Jonathan Cory, Robert M 
Buck, Fred W. Pass, -I. W. Bight, A. M. Summers, William Kent, .1. A 
I.. Nieukirk, T. S. Knapp, A. R. Chestnut, 0. I'>. Vanhorn ami A. Ja 
These two societies meet in their well-furnished and well-appointed hall in the 

od Btory of the hotel building. The Erst officers of the Encampment were: 
3. Buck, C. 1'.: K. M. Buck, 11. P.; .1. W. Morrison, S. W.; A l,\ Chest- 
nut. .1. W.; John AJefe, Treasurer; <'. B. Vanhorn, Scribe. 

Santa Maria Chapter, Order Eastern Star. No. 7 (| . was organized March 
22, 1>7J. charter members: E. Rodgers, E. Cutler, C. Forsythe, R. B. 
Williams, II. C. McDowell, W. -I. Cunningham, E. Lyons, Willis Crabb and 
II. Thorne. Its meetings were held in the hall of San .1 •-• Lod^e. No. 'it.".. 
and the Chapter prospered indifferently well till July, 1876, when it surren- 
dered its charter. 

In May. I^7-".. W. II. Postlewait opened tin- San Jose Job Printing Office, 
which, after a brief term <>f existence, succumbed t" financial embarrassment 

ber I s . I v 7*. the San .1 stablished by J. J. Smith, ami 

closed a brilliant career at the end of six months, leaving an aching void in 
the pockets of some of the citizens who had contributed to the starting of the 
enterprise. 

\ [LLAOE [NCORPOB \ I BD. 

<>n the LStfa day of April. 1870, pursuant to notice, the citizen- assembled 
at the Bchoolhouse ami organized by electing Rev. T. -I. N. Simmons, President, 
ami Samuel Dement, Clerk. The vote stood 31 for and 9 against incorporating. 
(tn the 21st <>f the same month, the following Board of Trus - : : -en: 

Edmund Rodgers, Jonathan Cory, Andrew Jacobs, Zenas l'>. Kidder, Samuel 
Dement and Dr. Charles l». Knapp. The following officers were chosen 
subsequent meeting of the Board; Jonathan Cory, President; Thomas : 
Knapp, Clerk ; Zenas B. Kidder was chosen Street Commissioner, and <'. ( '. 
n. Police Constable. June 12, l s 7'i. the town was incorporated as a \il- 
lage, under the general law of 1 S 7J. by a vote of 29 for t.> against. The 



HISTORY OF mason COUNTY. 613 

following are the present Board of officers : Thomas S. Knapp, J. Parmentier, 
T. Bennett, E. P. Crispell, N. Woll, Sr.. W. Steffan. L. J. Dillon holds the 
office of Police Magistrate, and R. W. Fleming that of Clerk. The village 
has a population of from three hundred and fifty to four hundred, and has three 
general merchandise stores, one hardware and tin store, one drug store, one 
saddle and harness shop, one meat market, two millinery establishments, one 
boot and shoe shop, one wagon-shop and one first-class smith-shop. In 187 t, 
A. R. Chestnut and I. Thomas established an exchange bank in connection with 
their general merchandise trade. This has proved a source of great conven- 
ience to both grain-buyers and merchants. The firm does a general banking 
and exchange business. The prospects are flattering that, before the cycle of 
many moons, San Jose will have secured to herself an additional means of 
entrance and exit. Her full quota of stock toward the construction of the 
Havana, Rantoul & Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railroad has already been sub- 
scribed. Should the road be brought to completion, it will give her an eastern 
outlet and bring her in direct communication with Havana; but whether the 
building ot the road will materially enhance her best interests is yet a mooted ques- 
tion in the minds of some of her best citizens. The completion and successful 
■operation of seventy-six miles of the route augurs the speedy construction of 
the line to San Jose, and from thence to some point on the Illinois River. The" 
village was named by Alexander W. Morgan, from the city of the same orthog- 
raphy, but differently pronounced, in the Golden State. Situated, as it is, in 
the midst of a fine agricultural region, but for its proximity to Delavan on the 
north and Mason City on the south, San Jose might, at no distant future, 
exceed in size and importance the most sanguine expectations of its original 

founders. 

NATRONA VILLAGE. 

The village of Natrona was surveyed and platted by E. Z. Hunt, County 
Surveyor, for James C. Conkling, of Springfield, 111., and George S. Thompson, 
of Wheeling, W. \'a.. in 1857. The original plat contained sixty blocks, 320 
feet square, subdivided into 912 lots. 40x152 feet. The streets were 80 feet in 
width, alleys, 16 feet. Soon after the laying-out of the town, Daniel Crabb 
purchased the site, and is at present proprietor of a large portion of it. 
Nothing was done in the way of building up the village prior to the building of 
the railroad. In 186(5 and 1867, Daniel Crabb built a few small houses east 
of the railroad. Samuel Ayers, Lear and McDonald, each erected a building 
about the same time. Crabb erected a warehouse also, in 1867. This was con- 
verted into a horse-power elevator in 1871, by Henry A. Baily, his son-in-law. 
Lear was the first merchant in the village of whom we have any account. He 
kept a grocery and saloon in a small building just east of the railroad track, 
still standing, and now used by John B. Abbott as a grain bin. In 1868, E. 
W. Nelson came from Wisconsin, and, in connection with Samuel Ayers, 
engaged in buying grain. They were the first to handle grain in the place. 



614 BI8T0RY OP M U30H COUNTY. 

During chat and the year previous, a Dumber of buildings were put up west of 
■rack. George Beckel and John N. Cathcart each built a large store 
building on the west Bide, and E. W. Nelson a small business house on the 
Bide. Beckel occupied his building with a full stock of furniture, Ja 
Bampson that of Cathcart with a Btock of general merchandise. Nelson opi 
up a genera] Btock in his building. The first school kept in the village was 
presided over by Miss Emma Bently. Tin- Bchool was kept in the second story 
of Crabb'e warehouse. A near frame building for school purposes was built in 
1873, at a cost of $1,800. George W. Murphy, from Ohio, taught the first 
school in the new building. The post office was established in 1808, and J. E. 
Reynolds was first Postmaster. E. \V. Nelson is present Postmaster and 
tion agent, though the duties are discharged by R. William-, at wl the 

offices arc kept. In 1871, E. W. Nelson built a steam elevator, and this 

well as the one built by Baily, is now operated by .John B. Abbott — the only 
grain merchant in the village. The amount of grain shipped from this point 
ranges from three hundred thousand to three hundred and fifty thousand 
bushels per annum. K. Williams has the only store in town, and carri 
genera] Btock. The Protestant Methodist Church was built in 1877. I: 
neat frame building and cost $1,600. Rev. Stalling Turner was first Pas 

Bamill, of San dose, at present supplies the pulpit. Among the early 
communicants we find the name- of Jeremiah Corson, William Preston and 
wife, Langley and wife, Richard Langley and wife, Robert Preston, 

Mrs. Larimore, Reuben Dowel! and wife, and II. S. Jackson and wife. N< 
individual has contributed to the building-up of the village more than E. W. 
Nelson, who has built several of the more substantial buildings on the • 
Natrona was erst known as Altoona, and is so recorded. And since the grea 
creative _ r < oius thai ever lived has Baid, " There is nothing in a name," we doubt 
not thai Natrona would have attained its present importance among the vill 
of the county had it- name remained unchanged. The change was, doubl 

i by the fact thai the village of Altona, of prior existence in Knox 
County, from the similarity of name, often led to annoyances in the transmit 
of mail ami express matter intended for this point. We do not give th 

ve knowledge, bul -imply as a reasonable explanation of why the ch 

Wafi made. 

KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP. 

When Mason County was firsl laid off into townships or election precincts, 

what is now Kilbourne \\a- included in the present townships of Hath and 

Crane < 'reck, and was nol created until 1878, about the time of the build- 

if the Springfield & North-Western Railroad. In its formation. 

three ti. nuns were taken from Crane Creek and a like number from 

Bath. It l- described as Town 20 north. Range v wesl of the Third Princi- 
pal Meridian, and Contains a few BOCtions in the southwest part over and above 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY, 615 

a regular Congressional Township. The soil, like that of Bath and Havana, 
is somewhat sandy, particularly in the timbered part of it, but produces well, 
and, as an agricultural district, is equal to any portion of the county. About 
three-fourths of the township is prairie, and generally of a level nature. The 
level land has been well utilized by artificial drainage, and numerous ditches 
traverse it. carrying away the surface water, until much of this level prairie 
may be set down as among the most productive land in the county. 

Kilbourne is bounded on the north by Havana Township, on the west by Bath, 
on the south by the Sangamon River and on the east by Crane Creek Town- 
ship. The Sangamon River, on its southern boundary, and Crane Creek in the 
southeast part, with numerous artificial ditches, effectually drain its level lands. 
The Springfield & North- Western Railroad runs through in almost a northwest 
direction, crossing the Sangamon River near the center, and passes out through 
Section 6, in the northwest corner toward Havana, its terminus. This road has 
benefited the town to a considerable extent, and, together with the villages of 
Kilbourne and Long Branch, will again be alluded to in this chapter. 

TJIE EARLY PIONEERS. 

When the first white people came to this section, it was then a part of San- 
gamon County. A few years later, it became a part of Menard, and, later 
still, was embraced in Mason. Mrs. Blakely and Dr. Field, now among the 
oldest settlers left, say that they lived in three counties without moving from 
their original places of residence. The first settlement made by a white man. 
in Kilbourne Township, was by Absalom Mounts. He was from that portion 
of Sangamon County now embraced in Menard, where he had built a little mill 
on Clary's Creek. He came here about 1831-32, and settled in the southeast 
part of the present town of Kilbourne, and there built a mill on Crane Creek, 
which is graphically described elsewhere. The next settlement was made by 
Gibson Garrett. He settled here, it is supposed, in 1835-36 ; was from either 
Virginia or Tennessee, and had first settled in the Sugar Grove neighborhood. 
He has long ago paid nature's last great debt. Jesse Baker came in 1830, and 
was from Tennessee. He came to Illinois in 1816, and located in Morgan 
Countv, where he resided until he came to this neighborhood; he is still liv- 
ing in the east part of the township. John Close and Charles Sidwell came in 
a year or two after Garrett. Close was from the South, probably from Ken- 
tucky, was an old man when he came to the country, and died many years ago. 
Some of his descendants are still living in Crane Creek Township. Sidwell 
was from New York ; he had but one child, a daughter, who married and went 
to Texas, accompanied by her father, where he died some fourteen years ago. 
The Fields and Blakelys were the next settlers and came in the fall of 1836. 
The former are mentioned in the history of Bath Township, as their settlement 
was made in the portion of Bath included in this township at its formation at 
a recent date. As stated there. Dr. Drury S. Field entered a large amount of 



616 BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 

land here in an early day. Hii son, I>r. A. K. Field, lives at present in the 
village of Kilbourne. H< pointed out to us the old house of his father, the 
third frame house built in Mason County, and the first in this township. It 

begins to show the ••toi.t-j.rint> of time." Another sun of l>r. Field. Albert 

J., lives now in < 'ass County. Mo. James Blakely was a native of 

• v. and first settled in Sangamon Count v. seven miles from Springfield, 
and, after remaining there a year or two, crossed the Rubicon, otherwise the 
Sangamon, where he Btopped for nearly a year, and until he had built a cabin 

on land which he had entered in the present town of Kilbourne. In tin* 
cabin he lived for nine year-, when he moved Over the line into Havana 

Township, where he died in September, l s 7 ( i. He married a daughb 
Aaron Scott, also an early Bottler of Mason County, and who settled in wl. 
now Sherman Township, where he is mentioned among the pioneers. Mrs. 
Blakely is -till living on the place where her husband died, an active ..Id 
lady of Beventy years, possessing an excellent memory, and to her we 
indebted for many facts embraced in this chapter. 

Thomas Martin and Joel damn came in 1837; the latter is still living in 
the township. Martin was from Kentucky, and settled about three miles from 

the village of Kilbourne, where he died many year- ago. He had but 

child, who lived ai last accounts of her, in Sullivan County, Mo. Henry Nor- 
ris came from Kentucky and settled in the north part of the township. !!• ifl 
said to have erected the third cabin in that immediate vicinity. He has been 
dead many years. Jacob Cross may be noted among the early settlers, bat 
belonged i" the "floating population." and did not remain long. He borr< 
a -pan of horses and wagon, which he neglected to return, and for which little 

delinquency he was followed by Dr. Field and some others, several hundred 
miles. The horses were recovered, but Cross ami the wagon eluded capture. 
John \ ouii'_ r was from Kentucky, but a native of North Carolina, and came 
hereabout 1837—38. He had a large family. Anderson. John. William and 
Mitchell were his sons, of whom only Mitchell is living, and at present res 
d Missouri. There is one daughter, also living. The old gentleman died in 
1847. The Danielses came in 1837, and were from Tennessee. They consisted 
of G. W. Daniels and his Bons, tsely, Calloway, George and Martin. The old 
gentleman is long Bince dead, but the Bona named are all living, and are ai 
the substantial citizens of Kilbourne Township Another son lives in Lynch- 
burg Township. The CraggS Were early settlers, but lived in that portion of 
the town taken from Hath. and. like the Fields, were mentioned in the his 
of Bath. Rev. Blisha Stevens, one of the early divines of this section, came 

from York Slate, a- he always called it. in 1839. He Was a Methodist preacher, 

and i- referred to again. He died in the spring of l> >lm I'ratt 

from New York, and located in the settlement in 1^ : >. He died in 1" 
having lived here for a period of .just forty years. David Pratt, his father. 
oame a fen months after him. Thev had been living some time across the 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 617 

river, in what is now Cass County. The old gentleman, after living here a- 
number of years, returned to Cass County, where he died about eighteen years 
ago. Moses Kay and his son, Aaron, settled on the present site of Kilbourne 
Village, in the fall of 18-38. They came from Indiana here, but whether that 
was their native place could not be learned. James and Hiram Ray, sons of 
Moses Ray, came about two years later. All of them are now dead. Moses 
Ray, the elder, "died on the 10th of December, 1845," says Dr. Field, "for 
I was married the same day and ought to remember the event." Burgess Ray, 
a grandson of "Old Moses," came a few years later, remained here a number 
of years and then moved to Missouri. "Old Becka," a negress, with a face 
like the mouth of a coal-pit, came with the Rays, and was the first of Ethiopia's 
fated race to tread the sacred soil of Kilbourne. 

John Cookson and John Lamb were from Indiana, Posey County, the land 
of hoop-poles and pumpkins. Cookson came in the fall of 1831', and several 
years later moved to Missouri, where he lived at last accounts of him. Lamb 
was a Pennsylvania Dutchman, born and reared in Indiana ; or, to be more 
explicit, his parents were from Pennsylvania, and of the good old Dutch stock. 
Of eleven children born to John Lamb, all are now dead except Christine, the 
youngest daughter. They were a heavy family, ranging in avoirdupois from 
one hundred and sixty to three hundred pounds. It is said that the old 
gentleman weighed three hundred pounds, and his wife two hundred pounds, 
and, with the exception of one daughter who weighed one hundred and sixty, 
not one but tilted the beam at two hundred and upward. Dr. Mastick was 
among the early settlers, but just what year he located could not be ascertained. 
He was originally from Ohio, and is elsewhere mentioned as the first medical 
practitioner of the township ; he died a few years ago. William McDaniels 
came to the neighborhood in 1838, and remained a citizen until his death in 
1854. James Ross came in 1840, and was a Southron, though what State he 
came from is not now remembered. He moved to Peoria, and there, in that 
great city, all trace of him is lost. Abraham Williamson came from Kentucky 
in 1843. He first settled in Morgan County, where he remained a few years 
before coming to this section. He died here some three or four years ago. 
William Turner also came from Morgan County to this settlement in 1843; he 
died here many years ago. Michael Ott, another Pennsylvania Dutchman, set- 
tled in 1841 ; was a very old man when he died — about five years ago. James 
and John Toller, two brothers, came from Kentucky in L842. John is still liv- 
ing, and at present a resident of Menard County; but James died some years 
ago in Kansa>. 

This comprises the settlement of the township, so far as names can be ascer- 
tained, up to 1845. when emigrants began to pour in with such rapidity as to 
render it impossible for the chronicler to keep track of them. Among the 
arrivals in 1845, we may notice those of J. M. Hardin. John Hanson. Edward 
Gore. Joseph Groves, John Micklam, Edmund McGormick, A. II. Neal, James* 



618 BI8T0ET OP MASON COTJNTT. 

Angelo, Samuel Cannon and a host "I" others, comprising much of ti 
and Binew" of the town. Dr. Oneal, now a resident of Kilbourne Township, 
was an early settler of Bath, where lie is more particularly noticed. Johi 
Gnm, one of the prominent citizens of Kilbourne, and one ..f the largest land- 
owners in the county, wae tier of Petersburg Precinct, \fei 
County, when- he ia further alluded to. It' any of the early settlers of Bath, 
Crane Creek and this township Bhould find themselves a little mixed as to their 
place of residence, it results from the tact already mentioned, viz. : that Kil- 
bourne was a part of the two former towns until a few years ago, and dr. 
them about equally for its territory. We have endeavored to keep "tl 
straight," but may. in som< have lost our bearings and drifted "a 
tht' line" into one or the other of those towns. It' so, we console ours< 
with the reflection that it is "all in the family, anyway." 

SCRAPS OP BISTORT. 

The first "messenger of glad tidings" in the young settlement was 
Moses Hay. mentioned among the early settlers. He was of the " Hardshell " 
Baptist persuasion and used to sing out his sermons to the tune of Old Hun- 
dred. His peculiarities are still remembered by the old settlers, how, when well 
warmed up to his work, and making what he thought a good point, would slap 
his hands down on his "bow-legs," then fling them aloft in Talmagian style, 
and sing out, '■ And my dear hretheren and sistereft, what do you think of that. 
ah?" Rev. Elisha Stevens and Rev. M. Shunk were Methodist preachers, and 
the next laborers in the Master's vineyard. Rev. Mr. Shunk used to preach at the 
people's cabins, long before there were any churches or schoolhouses. ( >ne of his 
regular preaching places was al Mr. Aaron 8 who is alluded to as oi 

the early settlers of Sherman Township. The first, and the only church edi- 
fice in Kilhoiirne Township is New Lebanon Church, on Section 13, in the 
east part of the township. It was erected by the Missionary Baptists, dui 
the war. probably iii l s 'i-">. and iss frame building. The present Pastor is I 
Mr. Curry. Alexander I>iek was the first pedagogue, and taught the first 
Bchool, in the spring of l s 4". in the first Bchoolhouse built in the township. 
The house was built by individual contributions of the neighbors, Dr. Field 
contributing the logs and hoards. It will be seen from the material used, that 
it was the genuine pioneer schoolhouse. Mrs. Blakely mentions a school ta 
by an old gentleman named Lease, in a cabin built for a residence, hut had been 

i-ed. and thinks it the first in the neighborhood. I. A. Ilurd was also an 
early teacher in this section. There are now seven comfortable and commodious 
frame Bchool buildings in the township, in which schools are maintained du 
the usual period each year. Eftlbourne is fully up to the times in its school 
facilities. 

The first Justice of the Peace in the town was Albert J. Field, and Aaron 
Raj was the first Constable. The early court- of these gentlemen abounded 



HISTORY OK MASON COUNTY. 621 

with incidents sometimes very ludicrous. But as our space will not admit 
of their repetition here, our readers are referred to Dr. Field, who is a regular 
walking encyclopedia of early facts and fancies. The first marriage that can 
be called to mind in the neighborhood was that of Jacob Clotfelter. of Bath, 
to Mary Garrett, in 1839. They were married by Albert J. Field, Justice of 
the Peace. Death entered the community the same year, and his victim was 
"old Becka," the negress before referred to. She was buried not far from the 
present village of Kilbourne. An old gentleman named Lease, mentioned as 
an early school teacher, was another of the early deaths. The first birth is 
believed to have been in the family of John Pratt, though it is not asserted with 
any degree of certainty. 

The first post office was established about the year 1859, near Mr. Gum's 
residence, and was called Prairie. Albert J. Field was the Postmaster, and 
the mail was brought by the stage-coach, running between Springfield and 
Havana. The first effort at merchandising was by William Gore, who kept 
about a wheelbarrow load of goods in a little cabin some three and a half miles 
from the present village, and several years before it was laid out as such. This 
comprised the mercantile trade until the birth of Kilbourne. Dr. Willard 
Mastick was the first regular physician in the township. In early times the 
settlers went to Jacksonville, Salem, and Robinson's to mill. Dr. Field says, 
when they wanted wheat ground they went to Jacksonville, when they wanted 
it only mashed, they went to Robinson's mill. Absalom Mounts built a little 
mill on Crane Creek, in the southeast part of this township, very early. It 
w;is so constructed that when the water failed in the creek during the dry 
season, it could be run by horse-power. This mill Mounts finally sold to Sid- 
well, who added considerable improvements, in fact almost wholly reconstructed 
it. Under his administration it is thus described : " The buhrs were but a 
foot in diameter, and the lower, instead of the upper, turned round. When 
they wanted dressing, Sidwell would take them up; and with them resting on 
his arm, as a mother would carry her babe, he would dress them off in going 
to and from the mill. When the mill was running at full speed, he would put 
a ' turn ' in the hopper in the morning, go home and work on his farm until 
afternoon, and then go over to the mill to see how it was getting along. He 
knew its capacity, and just how long it would take it to grind out a 'turn.' ' 
But some years later, when a mill was built at Petersburg, no further trouble 
«m this score was experienced. 

As stated in the commencement of this chapter, the township of Kilbourne 
was formed in 1873, from Bath and Crane Creek Townships. Bath comprised 
nearly three Congressional towns, while Crane Creek embraced about one and 
a half; and so for the accommodation of the inhabitants in the extreme parts of 
the towns, this new town was created. Dr. Harvey Oneal. who was active in get- 
ting the town laid off, was its first Supervisor. It is at present represented in 
the honorable Board of Supervisors by J. M. Hardin : James Conklin i* 



0I8T0BY Of MASON OOOHTY. 

Town Clerk, and J. M. Hardin, School Treasurer. Kilbourne is very nearly 
divided <>n the political issues of the day. First one party carries the election, 
and then the other, with but a lew votes difference. During the late war, it 

w;i- vcrv patriotic', and furnished its full complement of soldiers in advance of 
all calls for troops. Some of the officers credited to Bath Township rightfully 
belong to Kilbourne. as they were from that portion of Bath now embraced in 
this township. Capt. Houghton and Lieut. Raymond were cases in point, but 
as they arc already mentioned in Bath, we will not make any change. Kil- 
bourne Township was named for Kilbourne Village, and Kilbourne Village tor 
Kilbourne Township, and each for the other and both for Edward Kilbourne, 
of Keokuk, Iowa, "ne of the principal men engaged in building the Springfield 
and North-Western Railroad. This road was completed, and trains put on 
over this part of it, in I s -"-!. As the town was not organized until the road 
was "ell under way. or. in fact, nearly completed, no stock could be taken by 
it. Individual citizens contributed liberally, taking stock ranging in -urns 
from SI no to (4,000. The enterprise of building this road was opposed, and 
with g i grounds, by the people of Bath Township, who saw in its completion 

;i loss of trade to themselves. And while it las benefited a narrow belt of 
countrv, it has also been of more or less injury to other sections; a proof that 
what is the (rain of one. is the loSfl of another. 

When the first Bettlera came to this section, it abounded in deer, prairie 
wolves, wild turkeys and all other kinds of game Dr. Field says he has - 
one hundred and fifty deer on the prairie at one time, and Mrs. Blakely 
it was almost as uncommon then for the people to be without venison in their 
houses as to be without bread now. Prairie fires were of frequent occurrence, 
and often of ;l destructive nature, although no instance of loss of life is remem- 
bered to have occurred from them in this immediate vicinity, but narrow 

were nearly as common as the fires themselves. Dr. Field relates a circum- 
stance of a couple of men who were out hunting deer and wild honey. They 
had two wagons with them and two horses to each wagon. < >n the prairie near the 

union bottom, the day being calm and but little breeze Btirring, they thought 

I the grass on fire, and, perhaps, scare up a deer. They had already a 
considerable quantity of venison and some five hundred pounds of honey in 

their Wagons. They had scarcely fired the prairie when the wind sjuan- up, 

ed round, and they were forced to cut their horses loose, mount and Bee for 
life. Tie eded in escaping with their horses, hut their wagons, h< 

and veni-on were burned. The winter of the sudden freeze . 1 v ". ( 
remembered by many and much distress WBB the result of it, but no one in this 
neighborhood. BO far as W6 could learn, froze to death. In other portlOl 
Illinois, where thi- great Manitoba Wave swept Over, people were less fortunate. 
and. Hi our capacity a- historian, we have more than once recorded death from 
its effect. Dr. Field remembers a hailstorm that occurred in 1845, that far 
eded anything of like character that has ever occurred in this latitude. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 623 

When it was over, the ground was covered several inches in depth with hail- 
stones, many of which were nearly as large as a man's fist. It made a terrible 
havoc among stock, cattle and hogs being killed by scores. Even trees bore 
the appearance of having been run through a huge threshing machine. The 
more timid thought the last day had arrived, that the world was about to be 
blotted out amid the confusion and thunders of Sinai, and, therefore, fell to 
praying. (It may be that this saved it.) It passed, however, without any loss 
of human life, so far as we could learn, notwithstanding much stock was killed. 

Mrs. Blakely says, in those days of early privations, there was no money 
in the country — nothing to sell to bring money, and nowhere to sell it if 
they had ever so much superfluous produce, except, now and then, a chance to 
sell something to movers. They went to Springfield to buy their clothing and 
groceries, when they had anything to buy with. There was a little store in 
Havana, but it sold goods beyond their reach. As an instance, it sold coffee at 
" two bits " a pound, and in Springfield it could be bought for " a bit." And 
yet people, she says, were just as happy then, apparently more so, than at the 
present day, and far more sociable. "Neighbor" had something of the broad 
meaning given to it by the Savior of the world eighteen hundred years ago. 

Kilbourne has borne the reputation of having been. the most quiet, peace- 
able and order-loving community in this whole section of country. Within the 
last decade or so, however, it has retrograded somewhat in this respect. Quite 
a severe blow to its good name occurred in the assassination of a man named 
Hughes, last October a year ago, just outside the limits of Kilbourne village. 
Hughes was a perfect desperado, his death a public benefit to the country and 
richly merited by him, yet no less a stain to those who administered it. He 
had made threats to the effect that he would kill three men of the neighbor- 
hood before quitting it.* A day or two before that set for his removal from the 
town, he was found with twenty-two shot in him, and any one of seventeen of 
them, we were informed, would have proved fatal. It may be that the perpe- 
trators of the deed are known, or could be pretty closely guessed at, but, from 
the character of the murdered man, no one felt disposed to even try to ferret 
out the assassin or assassins, or to make an effort to bring them to justice. We 
were told that, during the four years that he lived in the neighborhood, he 
had fifty-four rows, and it is altogether probable that the people felt a relief 
when they knew that he was dead. 

VILLAGE OF KILBOURNE. 

Kilbourne was laid out in 1870 by John B. Gum, the proprietor of the 
land, on portions of Sections 28 and 29. It is on the Springfield & North- 
Western Railroad, quite an energetic little place, and contains about one hun- 
dred and fifty inhabitants. The first store in the village was opened by William 
Oakford, soon after it was laid out. A saloon had been kept by "old Billy 

* He was intending to move away on the Suuduy after the occurrence above related. 



624 history OF MASON I OUNTY. 

Martin" before Oakford opened the store, bnt he kept nothing but "bad 
whisky." Calvin Atterberry bought out Oakford, and, about the Bame time, 
Dr. Field opened :i store. A poel office was established in 1878, with Edward 
Bi&elow as Postmaster. C. I- Newell is the presenl Postmaster. The school- 
bouse was moved into the village after it was laid out — probably about l v 7o-71. 
It is also used for church purposes, there being no church edifice in the vil! 
The Baptists and Methodists have - here. Rev. Mr. Low is the Meth- 

odist Pastor, and Rev. Mr. ('urn- is Pastor of the Baptists. A Sunday school 
is also held in the Bchoolhouse, of which S. M. Rollins is Superintendent. 
There is no Bchool going on at the present writing, but we believe the teach- 
ers for the coming Bession an ged. The school employe two teacl 
there bains over one hundred children in the district who are entitled to school 
privil ges. The business of the place sums up about as follows: Three general 
Btores, one drug store, one family grocery, two blacksmith-shops, shoe-shops, 
two practicing physicians (Drs. Root and Eldridge), tc. A.n excellent 
grain elevator was built in 1873 by Lo* and McFadden. At pre* 
it is owned by Lou >v , of Havana. It is well equipped, having patent 
grain-dumps, and is operated by -team. Low & Poster and McFadden & Co. 
handle grain extensively at this point. 

Kilbourne has quite a handsome, well-kept little cemetery. The first 
burial within its ghostly precincts was Jennie Holmes, a girl about thirl 
years old. Most of the early Bottlers, however, continued tip bury their dead 
in what is known as Pratt's Graveyard, some distance from the village. ft is 
a large burying-ground, and was laid out in the early days of the settlement of 
the country, and contains the remains of" many of the pioneers who have gone 
to their last I • 

g Branch is a summer resorl on the hanks of — Ruggles' ditch. As 
a popular watering-place it was not much of a except in i very wet 

ii. The Bummer cottages have been moved away, and it no* presents ■ 
rather lonely appearance on the wide prairie. It is situated on the Springfield 
North-Western Railroad, a few miles from the village of Kilbourne, and was 
out in 1871, by Gratton & Ruggles. At present, it consists of merely ■ 
side-track, for shipping gain ami stock. \ posl office v. lished in 

l^7"J. with N. S. Phillips as Postmaster; hut that, in a few years, was discon- 
tinued, and nothing OOW remains hut the side-track above referred to. It is. 

perhaps, needless t" Bay that, in point of interest or popularity, it never equaled 
i tern namesake. It never did. 

Cubs Wis another village of the town of Killioiirne. hut doubtless there are 

few who now remember it. Its existence was merely '>n paper, and Bhort-lived 
at that. Indeed, it i- indebted to the following circumstance for having any 

existence nt all: During the exciting war between Havana and Bath for the 
coimtv -eat. and while the latter place WSJ the seat of justice, the Havana peo- 
ple succeeded, by a little adroit wire-pulling at Springfield, in securing the 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 625 

necessary legislation for bringing the question up, and having it decided by a 
vote of the people (which they did in 1851), well knowing that when it came to 
counting noses, they could out-count Bath. The Bath people thought to offset 
this sharp manueuver by establishing the county seat upon a new spot, and for 
this purpose bought eighty acres of land of Dr. Mastick, on Section 9, which 
they figured out to be the geographical center of the county, though what 
mathematical rules they employed to do so we are unable to discover. This 
eighty acres of land they surveyed and laid out in lots, with a handsome pub- 
lic square, streets, alleys, etc., etc. The election came off, the people voted 
the county seat to Havana, and thus ended the hopes and anticipations of 
Cuba. The proprietors paid Dr. Mastick $100 to take back the land, and the 
plat was never admitted to record. 



SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

BY .1. 0. WA11NOCK, ESQ. 

The original survey of this township was made in the fall of 1823, and 
was designated Township 20 north, Range 6 west of the Third Principal 
Meridian. It contains thirty-six sections, each a mile square, except the tier 
of six on the north side, which are fractional, as is usually the case. Section 
No. 36, in the southeast corner of the township, is divided by Salt Creek, which 
meanders through the southeast part, cutting off about one-third of the section. 
The northern part of the township is a high rolling prairie, once marred by 
numerous basins or ponds, but now almost wholly drained, and in a good state 
of cultivation. The south and west parts of the township are more broken, 
and the south part, which includes Salt Creek Bluffs, very much so. Big 
Grove extends along these bluffs, at an irregular width of from one-fourth of a 
mile to a mile and a half, at the south side of which the pioneer settlers made 
their primitive and crude homes. Lease's Grove, in the northwest part of the 
township, was originally small, containing an area of about 200 acres, which 
area is now materially contracted by clearing off the timber for cultivation of 
the land ; and the same means have very materially contractedthe area of Big 
Grove. 

The soil of the township is productive of all cereals and fruits indigenous 
to the climate, but the principal crop is corn, as in all the eastern part of the 
county. In the earlier days, winter wheat yielded a sure and abundant har- 
vest, as it was usually the first crop after the sod was broken. Corn, in those 
days, required but little cultivation, and, after planting the corn, the pioneer 
usually occupied most of the time thereafter until harvest, breaking prairie, 
scattering corn along every third furrow. Corn planted in this way produced 
a large amount of fodder, and the earlier planting a good yield of corn, but the 
later planting was generally caught by the autumn frosts, and was not good 
feed. This was marketed for distilling purposes, and from this fact originated 



626 BISTORT <»F MASON COUNTY. 

the term, "tod-corn whisky," which used to be applied to the bad and chemi- 
cally adulterated grades, as an expression of contempt. 

The first entry of land in this township was made August 1l'. l v "J'.'. by 
Leonard Alkire, of Sugar Grove, and was a tract of 12 south- 

west quarter of Section 34, contained in what is now known as the Kn x farm, 
hut was not improved by the first purchaser, nor until more than twenty years later- 
August 17. L829, William Bagans entered 120 acres, west half of the south 
quarter. Section :;:',. and southeast quarter of the southeast quarter, Sectioi 
now known as the Charles L. Montgomery place. Here, near the site of the 
present brick residence, I [agans built a rude log hut, and. with his family, became 
the pioneer Bettler of this township, and of what is now eastern Mason 
< loun 

June 12, 1834, James C. Bagans entered the forty-acre tract of land now 
owned in part each, by James P. Montgomery and George II. Short, and built 

a hut where the hitter's house QOW stands. 

dune Lo, 1837, John Bagans entered the forty-acre tract where. I. P. Mont- 
gomery now live-, and built a hut near the site of the present residence. A 
feu years later, however, they all sold out to Ephraim Wilcox, and moved away 
to further \\ estern Wilds, and were io8t to the knowledge of those who lived after 
them here. As early a- 1N30, a family named Slinker, "squatted" on a p 
ol land up in the grove northwest of the [daces just referred to. hut tradition 
has Imt few wuid- of remembrance of them or their habitation, and nothing of 
their place of migration. 

In h I, I. mard Alkire bought a large lot of land in Sections 33 and 34, 
and held it. as was termed by the settlers, as "speculator's land." without 

making any improvements upon it. 

In 1830, Robert and William Hughes entered the land now the farm of M. 
Vanlanningham, which Daniel Clark, Sr., purchased and settled upon in 1 V ">~>. 

and where the old gentleman died in 1 853, and was buried near the house in which 
he lived, and which is still there, though the first house he lived in there v. 
log hut His three sons are still living; Alfred, in ('ran.' Creek Township : 
Daniel, in Mason City, and William, in Dubuque, Iowa. 

In L833, a man named Lease settled in the northwest part ofthe township. 
at I grove which, from his settlement there, took the name of Lease's Gl 

which name it still bears. Soon after this. Samuel Blunt, George Wilson and 
the Moslanders settled there, and formed a little isolated hand or neighborhood 

iri and around the beautiful grove, from which improvement, farther and farther 
out into the prairie on all sides the Third School District in the township was grad- 
ually formed and extended. Iii connection with the Wil-on family, referred to 

above, it is proper here to state that his -on. Orey, committed Buioide by hang- 
ing himself to the limb of a tree, m 1852, which was the first case of deliberate 

self-destruction in the township, and the last. The news of the rash act was 
LVed by the BparBely settled county with horror, and. for years after, the 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 627 

scene of the tragedy was a place of dreadful interest, and the belated and soli- 
tary citizen who passed along the road by it after night did so with light and 
elastic step, and numerous "hair-raising" stories of suspended ghosts became 
current in the course of time. 

To return to Big Grove. In 1835, Isaac Engle entered the forty-acre tract 
which is now owned and occupied by W. F. Auxier, and built a log hut on an 
elevation about forty rods southwest of where the dwelling now stands, as a 
monument to the site of which primitive landmark a stately locust-tree stood 
until a few years ago, when that, too, fell a victim to the rapacious ax of the 
modern inhabitant. This place was purchased, with other tracts adjoining, in 
1837, by Edward Sikes, Sr., who, with several other families, came out from 
Ohio and settled in the grove. A few years later, Mr. Sikes built the sub- 
stantial frame house which now is on the place, and planted out an orchard of 
the first grafted fruit-trees ever planted in that vicinity, and which yields its 
delicious fruit now every year, although the hands that planted them have been 
in the grave nearly a quarter of a century. In the old log house on this place, 
the first school in the township was taught, in 1838, by one of the daughters 
of Mr. Sikes, now Mrs. S. D. Swing, of Mason City, who, soon after, set- 
tled with her husband as pioneers at Swing's Grove, in Mason City Town- 
ship. 

In 1835, Michael Engle entered an eighty-acre tract, now known as the 
Hiime place, and built a log hut about fifty yards west of K. M. Auxier's 
house, nothing of which now remains, but the place where the well has been 
filled in can yet be distinguished. In this well a child of John Carter, who 
later occupied the house, fell and was drowned, the summer of 1849. In 
1837, Kinzey Virgin moved out from Ohio, bought this place with other 
adjoining tracts, built a hewed-log house where the barn now stands, and set- 
tled down in his new and rather wild and romantic home. He was a man of 
considerable enterprise as a stock-raiser and accumulated this world's goods 
quite rapidly, but was peculiarly unfortunate with his family of children, but 
one of whom ever lived to reach the years of majority, and that the youngest, 
and but a babe when he himself died in 1852, six children, and all but the one, 
having preceded, him to the grave, and the wife following two years later. 
Though a man somewhat reckless in his habits and profane in conversation, he 
held it a sacred duty to have a funeral sermon preached for every one of his 
children that died, and what was something remarkable, John L. Turner, 
the "little Baptist preacher," of Crane Creek, officiated at every one 
of these occasions, and also at that of the father and mother. The latter, 
"Aunt Eliza," was one of Nature's noblewomen. The silent grief and heart- 
pangs which many circumstances pierced like a dagger her very soul, were 
buried there and without a word of reproach or complaint, forever. She was 
universally beloved and honored for her inherent goodness and nobilitv of 
nature. The same year, 1837, George T. Virgin settled a quarter of a mile 



628 BI8T0B1 OF MASON COUNTT. 

further west on the place now owned and occupied by Kinzey M. Virgin, bob 
of A.bram Virgin. <ieorge was more of a domestic nature, and employed bis 
time and energies in making home pleasant, not caring so much for stock nor 
for acquiring all the land joining him. Be was ;i large, corpulent man, of 
Herculean strength, and, as is usually the case with Buch persons, sedentary in 
his habits, enjoying life as he lived and letting the future take care of itself, 
though not l>y any means shiftless and improvident. His wife, however, whom 
everybody called " Aunt Alcy," was a prodigy of ambition and neatness, and BO 
far as lirrdominion extended, .-he "hewed te the line." No sacrifice of personal com- 
fort or demand of labor was too great for her to make for the Bick and distressed, 
and of her it may truly be said, -die "went about doing g L" To accommo- 
date the people in that vicinity who had to depend almost entirely upon Havana, 
twenty miles away, for their groceries, Mr. Virgin fitted up a room of his 
house, about 8x10 feet, and kept a small stock of coffee, sugar and the very 
few other kitchen necessaries of that day. When the demands of the commu- 
nity required it, he moved his store into a log house on the side of the bluff, 
about fifty yards east of the house as it now stands, where he added a general 
assortment, that is. a general assortment for those days, which was far within 
the limit of the present day. When this became too small, he built a store- 
house at the foot of the bluff, southeast of the graveyard, which, after a few 
years, was moved to the little town of Hiawatha, of which farther on. Mr. 
Virgin's unfortunate death in January, L855, occurred as follows: The family 
had been using a preparation of corrosive sublimate to poison vermin, and kept 
it on the mantel with other bottles of medicine and liquids, such as they had fre- 
quent occasion to use. In the night, Mr. Virgin, having some pain from colic, to 
which in a light form he was frequently Bubjeet, got up and went to the mantel to 
take a -wallow of camphor, which was always kept in that place. He thought 
he knew the bottle well enough to select it without a light, as he had often 
done before, but by some strange fatality, he took a -wallow from the bottle of 
poison instead of the camphor, and, although the mistake was discovered 
immediately and medical aid secured as soon as possible, the deadly drug 
resisted all remedies and he died B week after. The widow died of cholera at 
the old homestead in l v 7-'.. They had no children. 

The . K./in Virgin, another of the brothers, entered and 

improved the place now owned and occupied by Edwin ES. Auxier. In the 
course of a fen years, Resin entered quite a considerable tract of land on the 

north side of the grove, and. marrying the widow of Ephraim Brooner, one of 
the early settler- of Ma-m City Township, improved hi- land- and settled 
down out there, in a log h lUSC on the BOUth side of a large pond. From 
he moved to a hoUSC OD hi- farm aboul a milt' further northeast, where he died 

in 1872, and his widow a few years later. Resin was a man of great ene 

though physically weak all his life, and one of the most peculiar and eccentric 
persons in the "hole country, on account of which he WUS known far and near. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 629 

No one that had become even casually acquainted with him could ever forget 
" Uncle Reze." 

Abram Virgin, the other of the four brothers, the same year (1837) settled 
up in the eastern part of the grove in a log hut, as was the prevailing style of 
architecture in those days. He engaged in stock-raising and agriculture, and 
went through the hardships and deprivations common to those times. In IS ">:'», 
he was afflicted with a mental malady that made it necessary to confine him in 
the Insane Asylum, at Jacksonville, for awhile. He was soon, however, restored 
and " clothed in his right mind," and returned home, where he lived and directed 
the affairs of his farm until he died of the scourge of cholera, which swept 
through this section in 1873. His wife was also stricken down of the dread 
disease, but lived a helpless, bedridden invalid until 1877, when she died also. 
She, "Aunt Betsey," as she was familiarly called, was the friend and helper of 
the sick, afflicted and distressed. They had a family of several children, five 
of whom are living in the vicinity of their youthful days. 

A year or two later, Abner Baxter, John Young, Ira Halstead and Ira 
Patterson settled down in the southwest part of the township. Mr. Young 
died in 1848, and his widow in 1862. Of their children, William became an 
extensive land-owner and stock-dealer, and made valuable improvements on his 
farm, on the north side of the grove from the paternal homestead, where he 
died in 1865, leaving a widow (now the wife of J. H. Lemley) and several chil- 
dren, the oldest of whom, of the boys, Thorstein, now being married, occupies 
the home place. 

Ira Halstead was a blacksmith and a Methodist minister, and about twenty- 
five years ago, moved to Wisconsin, where he still lived when last heard from. 
Ira Patterson was a Justice of the Peace, a school-teacher, and went to Oregon 
about 1850, and was appointed Territorial Governor there a few years after- 
ward. He is one celebrity of the pioneer days of this township that it is well 
to rescue from the ever-increasing obscurity of tradition. The place where he 
lived was a hewed-log house at the foot of the bluff below the mouth of Salt 
Creek, later known as the Will Henry Hoyt place. 

On the place next adjoining this on the east, the Armstrong family settled 
in 1854, too late a date for a pioneer special mention, but historical from the 
fact that " Uncle Jackey " and " Aunt Hannah," as they were familiarly called, 
furnished a home to Abraham Lincoln when he was a young man, and it was 
by the light of their fire Lincoln stored his mind with much of its fund of gen- 
eral information, in the reading of such books as he could obtain ; but this 
occurred in Menard County, and will appear in its proper place in the history 
of that county. But the gratitude of Mr. Lincoln continued with this family 
as long as he lived, and was manifested in various ways, even after he became 
President of the United States. 

In 1857, William (Dull*), who now occupies the old homestead, was indicted 
by the grand jury of this county as one of the parties to a murder committed 



630 BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 

nt .1 * - .- 1 1 1 1 Id in the grove Dear George Lampe'a place, of which 

hereafter, and Lincoln, then a prominent lawyer in Springfield, voluntarily 
defended and cleared him, without fee and aa a token of gratitude to the old 
mother, who had then become a widow by the death of her husband, about ■ 
year before. 

In I s H. John Swaar settled on a forty-acre lot. the northwest quarter of the 
southeaal quarter of Section 35, in Salt Creek bottom, from whom " Swaar Ford," 
<m the creek south of thai place, took its name. A fewyeara later, he moved to 
a forty-acre purchase which he entered, on the north side of the grove, where 
he built a log hut on the site of the beautiful and spacious farm resilience he 
and his family now occupy. By industry and frugality this family has 
acquired an extensive body of land, and deal largely in stock. Mr. and Mrs. 
Swaar are now the only living representativea of the pioneers of this early day 
that have lived in the township continuously from that day to this, and with 
the exception of the Clark brothers, and. perhaps, a very few others, none of 

whom are now residents of the township, they are the only representatives oi 
adult age of that time, living. -John Auxier. and his brother EH, who came out 
with the party from Ohio in 1837, married, several years later, and settled on 
the north side of the grove ; John, on the place now composing part of I>- W. 
Eliner'a body of land, and Eli on a forty-acre tract north of it (which is now 
owned by George Swaar), where he died in 1M N . His widow is still living. 
hut in feeble health, with her son. Rev. E. ES. Auxier. down near Salt Creek. 
.John Auxier. to accommodate his propensity for feeding stock and enlarge his 
landed p is, bought a large body of land at the easl end of I 

and built a Log house on top of a high bluff, a quarter of a mile south of 
where the M. ES. Church now stands, where he died in 1857. Hie widow and 
children now have all removed to a farther western country. 

\- i pioneer of the prairie, John Y. Lane settled west of where Mason 
City now stands, in 1851, buildings hut <>f poles, praii and canvas, 

where he and his family spent their first winter and summer in this township. 
He was then well advanced in aire, but was a Tennessean, who fought under 
Old Hickory Jackson in the war of L812, and was inured to hard-hips from his 
youth, lie was Bomewhat impetuous and visionary, and when the firsl line of 
the Tonics >v Petersburg Railroad was surveyed near hi- place, in l s -">'». he and 
William foung prepared to lay out a town, and Mr. Lane built a large frame 
bouse which he designed for a hotel, and which he was unable to finish. That 
house now Btanda northwest of the West Side Schoolhouse in Mason <"ity, and 
was moved there in 1872, by Jeremiah Skinner. 

About 1847, John L. Chase, who lived in the southwest part of the town- 
ship, and WSS B very efficient business man. was appointed Postmaster, by whieh 

the post office was removed from Walker's Grove, but -till retained the name 

of Walker - - Grove Posl Office. Here all the eastern pari of the county 

eed and Bent out mail, which was carried on horseback, once a week, to 






HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 631 

and from Petersburg; that is. once a week when the crossing at Salt Creek 
bridge would permit, which was only about half the time. Sometimes there 
were throe and four weeks that we would be totally shut out from all mail com- 
munication on this account, even down as late as 1856. Often, some anxious 
person would take the chances of swimming the sloughs on horseback, and 
bring the mail over in a grain-sack, locked with a cotton string. Mr. Chase 
died in 1856, and William Warnock, Jr., who, in partnership with William 
Young, kept a country store at the farm of the latter, was appointed Postmas- 
ter, soon after removed it, with the store, to Hiawatha, where the office was sus- 
pended in 1858, upon the location of one in Mason City. 

In 1854, George Young erected a steam saw-mill a quarter of a mile south of 
Big Grove Cemetery, and, the following year, Edward Sikes, Jr., moved the 
George Virgin store-building, of which he had now become the proprietor, to that 
place. Several dwelling-houses were soon after erected, and a flouring-mill 
added to the saw-mill, when the place was given the romantic name of Hia- 
watha. John Pritchett, who aftenvard became a prominent hardware and grain 
merchant in Mason City, and is now a commission merchant in St. Louis, 
started a blacksmith-shop. Dr. William Hall, a good physician, located there 
for the practice of medicine, and when the first line of the Tonica & Petersburg 
Railroad struck that place, in 1856, the most extravagant hopes of the people 
seemed about to be realized. But the railroad went four miles farther east ; 
Mason City sprung up, and — Hiawatha went down, and now not a vestige of 
the village remains to be seen. 

The old " Timber Schoolhouse," or Virgin Schoolhouse, was the voting- 
place for the two townships, now Mason City and Salt Creek, until 1857, and 
was known as " Salt Creek Precinct." The election of 1856 will never be for- 
gotten by any one who was an eye-witness to the scenes of that day at this 
place. With politics at fever heat, and barrels of whisky as fuel to the political 
fire, no words can adequately describe the hurrahing, quarreling, fighting and 
confusion of that day, from early morn until dusky eve. 

At this schoolhouse, religious meetings were frequently held, and the strong- 
hold of Satan was stormed upon the tactics of border warfare, that is, upon the 
theory that there is more terror to the enemy in noisy demonstration than in 
means of effectual destruction. Sinners were held "breeze-shaken" over the 
yawning abyss of the preacher's most vivid imagination, and the mighty oaks 
bowed their majestic heads to the thunders of Sinai, and one unused to such 
demonstrations would think the k * heavens were rolling together as a scroll." 
In 1857, a camp-meeting of three weeks' duration was held in the grove about 
a half-mile southwest of George Lampe's place, at which Elder Peter Cart- 
wright made his last visit to this section. About three-quarters of a mile south- 
west of this, and, on the ridge a quarter of a mile east of where Michael Malo- 
nev's house now stands, was the inevitable grog-shop that was always to be 
found as near the sanctum sanctorum of the camp-meeting as the law would 



682 EII8T0R] OF MASON COUNTY. 

permit Here it was that the first and last murder in the township vraa 
committed, for which William | Duff) Armstrong and .Jam.- Henry Norris v 
indicted at the following term of Court, and for which the latter served a term 
of i :L r lit years in the Penitentiary at Joliet, and the former was acquitted — 
defended by Abraham Lincoln, as we have before stated. The name of 
murdered man was Metzker, a citizen of Menard County. It was done about 
9 o'clock at night, by being -truck on the head with the neck-yoke of a 
wagon, which fractured his Bkull, and from which he died next day. Dr. J. 1'. 
Walker, now of Mason City, conducted the post mortem examination. 

Dr. J. P. Walker Bottled in the west part of thia township, at the place now 
owned ami occupied by George McClintick, in 1849, and pursued the practh 
medicine, and carried on his farm until 1858, when he moved to Mason City. 
Dr. A. R. Cooper Bettled on the farm now occupied by William McCarty about 
the Bame time, hut removed a few years later. About the same year, Dr. John 
Deskins built a hut and located a half-mile east of George Lampe's place. II, 
built his house in the side of a ridge, so that the earth formed three side- of 
his domicile; hut, embedded in the earth as it was, a tornado, in 1852, swept it 
away and - att.red his goods for miles around, though, a.- by a miracle, none 
of the family were Beriously injured. 

The 29th of May. 1850, is a memorable day with the old inhabitants of 
this township, on account of the violent hailstorm which devastated growing 
crops, killed small domestic animals, and frightened the people terribly. Thia 
storm came from the northwest, and left its marks of violence upon the trees so 
that they were not outgrown for years after. Beautiful fields of wheat 
left as desolate as a barren desert, and fruit-trees were Btripped <»f foliage and 
fruit. Sheep, pigs and chickens were slain by hundreds with the cold shot 
from Heaven's artillery. 

This township contains two church edifices, huilt about ten years ago, one at 

Big Grove, and the other at Lease's Grove, both owned by the Methodist 
denomination. A third building, by the Christian denomination, is in c 
of .construction at Big Grove. 

'I he principal cemetery, and the only one in the township controlled by a 
regularly organised Board of Trustees, is at Big Grove, and has hen usi 
Buch since the earliest of such a place. It i> a beautiful location, well 

cared for, and, with it- monuments and beadstones, from a distance looks 1 
miniature marble city set upon a hill. There are several other burying-gronnda 
in the township, hut mosl of them have been abandoned, as to future use as such. 

The Havana extension of the I.. B. & W . R. R., now the Cham] 
Havana .v Western Railway, runs diagonally across the northeast coiner of the 
township; but there is no railroad station, or town or village of any kind 
within the boundaries of the township. 

The firsl bc! 1 district organized in the township was down in the southwest 

part, and is now District No. 1. The house was huilt of hewed log-, and 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 633 

generally known as the " Chase Schoolhouse." Several years ago, a new frame 
schoolhouse was built about a half-mile northwest of the site of the first, and is 
now known as the "McCarty Schoolhouse." The second district was organized 
in the east part of the grove, and is District No. 2. The first house here was 
in the timber, near the north side of the grove, about a quarter of a mile south- 
east of the "John Auxier Pond." It was a log house, of course, and was 
known as the "Virgin Schoolhouse." The original building burned down in 
1 84*.*. and was succeeded on the same site by a frame, which was used as the 
district schoolhouse until 1863, when the old house was abandoned and a new 
one built about a mile further cast, which is now known as "Mount Pleasant 
Schoolhouse." The third schoolhouse was built at Lease's Grove about 1850 ; 
was also a log house, but, several years ago, was abandoned, and a new house 
built about a mile east of the old site. The next, in District No. 4, was built 
in 1854, on a high elevation, three-quarters of a mile west of the present site. 
and was known, as the present is known, by the name of " North Prairie 
Schoolhouse." The next, in District No. 5, was built in 1855, and was desig- 
nated as the "Knox Schoolhouse." > Other districts were organized and school- 
houses built soon after, until the township is well provided with public school 
facilities. The present Board of School Trustees is composed of the following 
gentlemen : Robert A. Melton, Elias Hull and L. C. Agnew. H. C. Burnham, 
the present incumbent, has been Township Treasurer for the last ten or twelve 
years, whose last statistical report is as follows : 

Number of males under twenty-one years of age 803 

Number of females under twenty-one years of age 261 

Total 564 

Number of males between the ages of six and twenty-one 192 

Number of females between the ages of six and twenty-one 17"> 

Total 365 

Number of school districts in township 9 

Number of districts having school five months or more 9 

Whole number of months of school 59j 

Average number of months of school 

Number of male pupils enrolled 165 

Number of female pupils enrolled 164 

Total 329 

Number of male teachers employed 9 

Number of female teachers employed '■'> 

Total 12 

Number of months taught by males 41 

Number of months taught by females 1 Bjj 

Grand total of number of days' attendance •J;\;V_'l 

Number of Bchoolhouses rh township 9 

Number of volumes bought for district libraries during year I I 

Principal township fund $5,130 09 

Highest monthly wages paid any male teacher 47 50 

Lowest monthly wages paid any male teacher 22 60 

Bighest monthly wages paid any female teacher :> >o 01* 

Lowest monthly wages paid any female teacher : ~'Q 00 



884 HISTORY <»f MASON OOUNTY. 

Arerage monthly wages paid b 40 91 

Average month|j wages paid female teaohen 88 06 

Am. .inn ..t" .li-irict tax levy, l s 7^ 2,270 ' 

Estimated value of school property 4.1"" 

Estimated value c.f school libraries 86 "O 

Estimated value of school ^\ paratua 260 00 

A in.. ii ii i paid male teachers 

Ann. urn paid female teachers 108 81 

Amount paid for repairs and improvements 80 

Amount paid for school furniture 288 62 

Amount paid for fuel and incidental expenses 106 81 

The Dames of the gentlemen who have officiated ae Supervisors of the town 
since the adoption of township organization, in L862, are as follows : Selah 
Wheadon, doh residing in Kansas; Jacoh Benscoter, dow residing in M 
City: A. II. Fisher, now residing in Logan County, two term-: J. A. Phelps, 
who died ;i couple of years ago, in Nebraska, two terms; C. Ij. Montgomery, 
who died in Greenview, Menard Co., in March of this year, two terms; A. 
Thompson, three terms; A. A. Blunt, three terms; H. C. Burnham, present 
incumbent, three terms; L. C. Agnew, one term. 

The present township officers are: H. C. Bornham, Supervisor; l>. W. 
Hillyard, Town Clerk; Joseph Silvey, Assessor; J. P. Montgomery, Col* 
lector: Robert A. Milton, Michael Maloney and C. C. Dare, Commissioners of 
Highways; II. 0. Burnham and Joseph Silvey, Justices of the Pea.'-. 



quiveb township. 

Fifty years ago — half a century ! A period of time that measures off the 
birth, growth and decay of almost two successive generations of mankind ! 
Fifty years ago ! Since then, what mighty changes have marked the onward 
march of time in this great and growing West ! Cities have been builded,vast 
ana-, even in our own State, populated, and large portions of its territory, 
reclaimed from native wildiiess. have been brought to B high State of cultivation 

and made to yield abundant harvests of plenty to the toiling husbandman. 
Within these years, the nation has been convulsed from its center to its circum- 
ference with the throes of civil war. The patriot son of the sturdy old pioneer 

gone forth to 1. attic in his country- cause, hut his return OOmes D 

setting of the sun. Thousands of homes have heeii made desolate by the 
cruel ravages of war in our own fair land, hut the nation's honor has again been 

-ealed by the blood of her liohle and daring sons. Fifty year- ago, not a 
single cabin had been erected in the territory now included in Quiver Town- 
ship. Indeed, it is not definitely known that more than a Bingle family hail 

-.tiled within the limits comprising the present county of Mason. 

This town-hip i- located m the extreme north/ Qer of the COUntV, 

and comprises in its area ahoiit fifty sections. It is hounded on the north and 

northwest by Taiewell County and Tie Illinois River; east by Manito and 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 635- 

Forest City Townships ; soutli by Sherman and Havana Townships, and west 
by the Illinois River. By far the larger portion of the township is prairie, 
the timber-land being, for the most part, confined to the western section along 
the river bluff. A limited amount of timber is found in the northeast cor- 
ner of the township, the outskirts of what is known as Long Point timber. 
The character of the soil is similar to that of the adjacent townships. The 
western part is somewhat broken, often rising into bold, rounded bluffs and 
ridges of sand. The woodland portion is not very productive ; it does not 
afford pasturage, nor, when cleared and cultivated, does it yield as abundant 
harvests as the prairie land. The central and southern portions are very fer- 
tile, and annually produce large crops of corn, wheat, rye and oats, though corn 
is the staple product. Clear Lake and Mud Lake are found in the north- 
west corner of the township. Duck Lake, an expansion of Vibarger Slough, 
is situated in the southwestern portion of the township. Quiver Creek is the 
only stream of any consequence flowing through the township. This stream 
enters the township at its eastern boundary, flowing in a general southwestern 
direction through Sections 28, 29 and 30. Near the western boundary line of 
Section 30, its course changes to the northwest, and from this point the stream 
forms the dividing line between Havana and Quiver Townships. The township 
received its name from the water-course, of which we have just spoken. The 
creek is said to have been named by early huntsmen from Menard and Fulton 
Counties. At certain seasons of the year, standing a short distance back from 
the banks of the stream, one was enabled, by gently swaying the body to and 
fro, to impart a wave-like or quivering motion to- the surface for some distance 
around him. From this it early acquired the name of Quiver land, and to the 
stream, naturally enough, the name Quiver Creek was applied. While it is a small 
and unimportant stream, it was made tosubserve a large and important interest in 
the early settlement of the county. On the south bank of the stream, near the 
northeast corner of Havana Township, Pollard Simmonds erected a small 
grist-mill as early as 1838 or 1839. But as the mill is now included in the 
limits of Havana, a full account of the enterprise will be given in the history 

of that township. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Though a settlement had been made west of the creek as early as 1835 or 
1836, no one had ventured to cross the stream and locate in what is now Quiver 
Township prior to 1837. John Barnes, from Kentucky, had located at the 
Mounds as early as the first mentioned date. Of his wife it may be truthfully 
said that she was a faithful helpmeet. She was a woman possessed of gr< at 
muscular strength, and could wield an ax as skillfully as an experienced wood- 
man. With an ordinary amount of exertion, she could turn off her one hun- 
dred and fifty rails per day. At his home, Joseph Lybarger and family, the 
first settler of Quiver Township, stopped some weeks prior to crossing the 
creek and starting his improvement. Lybarger was from Pennsylvania, and 



BISTORT OF MASON OOUNTT. 

was a blacksmith by triple The exact date of his settlement cannot be fixed 
to a certainty, bul it is more than probable that it occurred in the spring of 

7. There are some who think it may have been as curly as the Bummer of 
1836, but the preponderating weight of testimony is in favor of the first men- 
tioned dare. Soon after coming, he opened a Bhop, and for a number of; 
did the work of general blacksmithing for a lai of country. In the 

Bummer of 1 s -">7. Henry Seymour came and settled east of Lybargi r>. About 
one month later. Peter Ringhouse, who bad been stopping a -hurt time in St. 
Louis, came and settled about midway between th< Iready mentioned, 

though :i short distance further west. Ringhouse was originally from Germany, 
but bad lived Borne years in Baltimore before coming West. William Atwater 
came from Connecticut, and located in the immediate neighborhood in 1838. 
He had Berved an apprenticeship and (bra number of years had followed the 
silversmith's trade. 11«' erected a frame building, doubtless the first in tbe 
township, and .began improving his farm. For some two years after coming, 
he led the life of a bachelor, and farmed with about the usual amount of su 
that all old bachelors are permitted t<> enjoy. The climate did nol Beem to 

ee with his constitution, and tor some considerable length of time lit- was 
annoyed with chills and I Bo thoroughly dissatisfied did he become at 

one time, that he determined to exchange the best eighty acres of liis quarter 

ion for a horse and wagon, and the tail-end of a stuck of goods in Havana. 
These latter articles he intended bo peddle through the country, and with the 
proceeds and avails he hoped to be able to flee the country and make good bis 
return to bis native State. But he was destined to become one of the early 
permanent Bettlers of Quiver Township, however Blow he might be to accept 
the situation. <>n communicating Ids intentions to one of his neighbors, he 
remonstrated with him at the folly of bis proposition, and - I the pro- 

priety of bis taking a helpmeet and beginning life in earnest Mr. A.tn 
acted upon the suggestion, and what we know is, that not many months after- 
ward, Misa Elizabeth Ringhouse* became Mrs. Elizabeth Atwater. The alliance 
thus consummated led to a life of happiness and prosperity. He continued to 
live at the place of his first settlement till tic date of his decease, which 
occurred Borne eight or ten years ago. His widow vet survive- him. and occu- 
the old homestead. John Seeley, William Patterson, and a man by the 

name of Edwards. Settled further north along the edge of the blulT timber a- 

early a- 1840 or 1 x 1 1 [saac Parkhurst settled a .••!• Creek in the 

Bouthwesl corner of the township, in L840, and was a Justice of th ! 
when this section was included in Tazewell County. He remained but 

a few year-, and then moved to lVoria. During the year 1842, a num- 
ber of settlements were made in the township. Benjamin Ross, Daniel 

Waldron. William Iv M ftgill, and Georg D. CoOD were among the per- 
manent settlers at the close of 1842. B • \m Tennessee, and had 
settled in < ' i-- County -"-ii- rears prior to coming to Mfcs >n. Waldron was 







# ' lS?. 3&?ts*^ 



SNICARTE 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 639 

from New Jersey, and remained a citizen of the township till the date of his 
demise, which occurred some year- ago. William E. Magill came from the 
Quaker State to Menard County, and from there to Mason, as before stated, 
and is one of the early settlers, who is still surviving. George D. Coon came 
from New Jersey, and settled in Greene County in 1839. At the same time, 
Stephen Brown, his father-in-law, and Robert Cross and Aaron Littell, brothers- 
in-law, came and settled near him. In 1842, Mr. Coon came to Mason County. 
and settled in this township near the creek, and the following year moved to 
his present place of residence. Loring Ames, a native of the old Bay State, came 
West in 1818, and settled in St. Clair County, Illinois Territory. In 1823, he 
moved to Adams County, and, in 1836, to what is now Mason County. In 1842, 
he became a citizen of Quiver, and at present resides on his farm near the vil- 
lage of Topeka. He served in the Black Hawk war, first as a private in Capt. 
G. W. Flood's company, and later as a Lieutenant in the company of Capt. 
Pierce, of Col. Fray's noted regiment. Rev. William Colwell, a native of 
England, emigrated to America in 1838, and first settled in Cass County. 
111. In February, 1841, he came to Mason County, and resided near 
Bath until the fall of 1842, at which time he removed to Quiver Township. 
He died in April, 1861, from the effects of a kick from a horse. He was a 
substantial citizen, a man of abilities and great personal worth. He served in 
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a period of about forty years, 
and the result of his labors will only be known in that day when the secrets of 
all hearts shall be revealed. George Sleath settled in 1843, but did not remain 
long. He sold out to Robert Cross and moved away. In 1843, Cross and 
Littell came and settled on farms adjoining that of George D. Coon. These 
they improved and occupied until the date of their decease. Fred High, Henry 
Rakestraw and Freeman Marshall made settlements during the year 1843. 
High was from Tennessee, Rakestraw from Kentucky and Marshall was a native- 
born Hoosier. Some of the Rakestraws still reside in the township, near 
McHarry's Mill, but the names of High and Marshall have long been absent 
from her citizenship. Moses Eckard, whose name occurs prominently in con- 
nection with the history of the village of Topeka, came from Maryland, and 
located in Fulton County in 1839. The following year, he came into what is 
now Mason Countv. In 1844, he was married to Sarah E. Simmonds, daughter 
of Pollard Simmonds, who Bettled in Havana Township in 1838. and built the 
mill elsewhere referred to. In the fall following his marriage, he moved to his 
present place of residence, and has continuously lived there since. Ar the date 
of his settlement few, if any, others were living in the southeastern section of 
the township, all the settlements so far having been made along the bluff tim- 
ber and in the central portion. In 1847, John M. McReynolds, whose father 
had settled in Havana Township in 1838, located about two miles northeast of 
Moses Eckard's. His residence still remains on the farm he first improved. 
Hon. Robert McReynolds, the father of John M.. came from Columbia County. 



640 HI8TORY OF 11 LSOK 001 M'V. 

Penn., in L838, and Bettled Borne Beven miles east of the present city of Havana. 
in Havana Township. In 1849, lie became a citizen of Quiver Township, and, 
as be was at an early day officially connected with the interests "f the county, 
we deem it proper to give Borne points of his life in this connection. In ] v l~>. 
we find him a member of the Board of County Commissioners. To this 
he was re-elected in 1 846, and again in L848 and 1849. In 1849, he was 
chosen Associate Justice with John Pemberton, Hon. Smith Turner I 
County Judge. In every position, public or private, conscientious integrity 
marked his course. He was an earnest and zealous advocate of the Gospel as 
taught by the W ind, having united with the M. K. Church in 1831, 

was not only a pioneer in this county but a pioneer in Methodism in the W 
In building his first residence, an extra large room was provided, whicl 
not only designed for the use of his family but also for religious worship. 
Quarterly meetings, over which the venerable Peter Cartwright presided, were 
held here, and, on one occasion, ^/?/fy of the brethren and sistei a were present for 
breakfast. The first Sunday school in the county was established at his 1 
in 1841, an<l consisted of twelve teachers and twenty-one scholars. His death 
occurred in l v 7i'. Hi- son, following in the fo tsteps of his lather, has been 
an efiicienl member of the Church since early boyhood, and for many \ 
has held official relation to the congregation at Topeka. Stephen Brown, who 
has already been mentioned as having settled in Greene County in 1839, ten 
years later became a citizen of Quiver. .John Appleman, from New J< 
Thomas Yates and George Ross, from the Buckeye State. Became citizei 
early a- l v l^ or 1849. These all settled in the region of the township familiarly 
known as "Tight Row." Appleman died Borne years ago, and Yates in 1876. 

. after a residence of two years, returned to Ohio on a visit, and while there 

Bickened and died. Prom 1850, the settlements increased bo rapidly that any 

attempt to enumerate them in the order in which they occurred, would 
fruitless ta~k. Of one who came into the township in 1845, we musl -peak 
somewhat at length, as. perhaps, no one of her citizens is more widely or 

more favorably known. Hugh Mcllarry, a native of Ireland, emigrated to 
America in 1825. He was but a "broth of a hoy" of some eighteen or nine- 
summers, who had come to try his hand at making a fortune in "Swate 
America." He started in life in the land of his adoption penniless, 
after coming, he engaged in labor on the Erie ''anal, hut the natural bent of 
hi> mind was toward milling. He soon obtained a situation in the mills at 
Louisville, Ky., where he remained till L842. During his residence in 
Louisville, he became an ardent admirer of George I*. Prentice, the veteran 
editor of the Journal, ami through its influence, was molded into a stanch 
Henry-Claj Whig. With this party he acted during its existence, and. on the 

formation of the Republican party, he was among the first to espouse its prin- 
ciple-. Iii L842, he came to Beardstown, Cass County. ano> again engaged in 
milling. In 1843, he purchased the mill site on Quiver Creek, ami, in 1 s l~>, 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 641 

constructed a grist-mill. Julius Jones, Charles Howell arid William Pollard 
had built a dam and erected a saw-mill at this point some years previous. For 
the improvements made and the site, McIIarry paid the sum of $1,506 cash. 
The saw-mill stood on the east bank of the creek, but when the grist-mill was 
constructed it was placed on the west bank, and, consequently, stands in 
Havana Township. A complete history of the enterprise will be given in con- 
nection with the sketch of that township. Mr. McHarry's residence stands or 
the bank of the creek in Quiver Township, and amid its pleasant shades and 
quiet retreat he is quietly passing his declining years, enjoying the society of 
his children and friends and the large competency he has acquired by a life of 
honest toil and well directed energy. He is by far the wealthiest man in the 
township, and owns a large amount of the best land in the county. Few citi- 
zens of the county are more widely known or more highly esteemed for their 
good qualities of head and heart, than Hugh McIIarry, the miller. 

Though Quiver Township has never had a mill erected within her borders, 
she has enjoyed the benefits of the early construction of both the Simmonds 
and McIIarry mills, as they stood upon the very threshold of her borders. 
The first school building in the township was situated on land belonging to 
William Atwater. and stood near the present site of the Christian Chapel. It 
was built as early as 1845, and a German pedagogue by the name of Volerath 
presided over the destiny of the first term of school. In addition to the regu- 
lar course of study, he introduced the science of vocal music, and accompanied 
the exercises with the violin. This feature of the school was decidedly objec- 
tionable to the more pious of his patrons, who could see in a "fiddle," as they 
termed it, naught but a device of the emissary of the evil one to capture and 
lead their young children down the broad road to ruin, and so his services were 
not needed for a second term. Volerath was from New Orleans, and his high 
ideas of Southern life did not accord well with the notions and views of the 
Western pioneer, and so he was not exceedingly popular with any class- 
Among others who. at an early day. wielded the rod of correction, and led the 
aspiring youth along the highway of knowledge, we may mention the names of 
Didier Waldo and George Caven. 

In an educational point of view, the township has kept equal pace with her 
neighbors, and to-day her every district is supplied with comfortable frame 
school buildings, and the annual amount expended in schools is not far from 
32,000. 

i:\UI.Y PREACHING, MARRIAGES, ETC. 

The earliest preaching, a- was customary, was done at private houses and 
in barns. In 1M44, Elder Josiah Crawford, a minister of the Disciples' Church, 
held a protracted meeting in -Joseph Lybarger's barn. The nucleus of a church 
was thus early formed, which, for a number of years, met for worship at the 
residence of William Atwater. Elders Brockman and Powell were among the 
early ministers of the congregation. 



642 IIISToiiy OF M L80N COUNTY. 

There are two churches in the township outside of the village of Topeka. 
The Old School Presbyterian Church was built in 1853, at a cost of $1,000. 
I- - - - lated on Section 14, and for a number of years the congregation 
in a flourishing condition. For the past few years, the building has remained 
unoccupied, aave on funeral occasions. The early Pa f the Church wers 

Revs. William Perkins, C. W. Andrews and Rev. Bennett. Among the early 
communicants we find the name- of John Appleman and wife, Robert < 
and wife. Mrs. Sophia Vanarsdale, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Esther Brown, Dan- 
iel Waldron and wife. David Beal and wife. The first Elders of the congn 
tion were Robert Cross and Daniel Waldron. 

The principal burying-ground of the township is connected with this build- 
ing. Expensive and tasteful monuments mark the final resting-place of many 
of her early settlers in this cemetery. The first interment was that of Robert 
Cross, which occurred in l v -">'j. Since thai date, many of his associates have 
l>ut aside the burden of life, and are sleeping, sweetly sleeping, in the same beau- 
tiful inclosure. Indeed, the names of most of the early settlers are found here 
among the sleepers. 

The christian ("hapel. located in the same Bection, was erected in l s,, 'ii. at 

-• of $900. Joseph Lybarger and wife, William E Magill and wife, John 
Bines, William Atwater and wife, were the earliest members of the Church. 
Elder Andrew Page was the first Pastor. Elders Judy and Haughey have 
labored for the congregation, the latter of whom occupies the pulpit at present. 
The religious zeal of the early Bettlers often led them to travel a distance of 
ten miles or more to attend " meetin','' and that, too, riding after an ox team. 
\,,w. a man or a woman who will do that will, unquestionably, be s;ived. Thej 

might have walked, no doubt, but for the sake of religion they were \villin_ 
sacrifice ease and comfort, and ride. 

William Atwater and Elisabeth Ringhouse were mairied in December] 
1840, [saac Parkhurst, Justice of the Peace, officiating. This was. doubt 
the first marriage celebrated in what Ls now Quiver Township. As this section 

ua- at that date a part of Ta/.ewell County, Mr. A twater obtained his lici 

at Tremont, the county seat. 

The earliest practitioner of whom we have any record given was a Dri 
Buckner, from Cass County. The exact date of his coming cannot be ascer- 
tained. He also combined school-teaching with his practice. Drs. Allen and 
E. B. llarpham were early practitioner- among the denizens of Quiver, the lat- 
ter of whom is at present a resident physician of Havana. The first birth in 
the township was that of Fidelia Lybarger, a daughter of Joseph l.yfia-. 

the first settler. She Was born in 1837. A widowed sister of Henry 5 

mour's, Mrs. Maria Elan, who died in l s; '.^. was, perhaps, the first death to 
Occur in this part of the county. The year following, 1839, the death of Mrs. 
llemy Seymour occurred. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 643 

The political status of the township has been largely Republican since the 
formation of that party. During the days of Whiggism and Democracy, the 
old Whig party was in the ascendency. Throughout the late civil war, she 
furnished her complement of brave boys to the rank and file of the army, and 
many of her noble sons attested their fealty to the dear old flag by yielding up 
their lives in defense of its honor in the hour of its greatest peril. As an 
agricultural district. Quiver compares favorably with other portions of the 
county adjacent. Her resources are mainly derived from her vast annual 
products of corn, wheat, rye, and the other cereals cultivated here. 

TOPEKA VILLAGE. 

The village of Topeka is situated about seven miles northeast of the city of 
Havana, on the P., P. & J. R. R., and is the only village embraced within the 
limits of <,>uiver Township. It was surveyed by J. W. Boggs, for Moses Eck- 
ard and Richard Thomas, in 1858. In order to secure the town site, Eckard 
and Thomas purchased 180 acres of David Beal, and 80 acres were made into a 
town plat. Forty acres were donated to the railroad company in order to 
secure the station. The first residence in the village was erected by J. L. 
Yates, in 1860. He was a blacksmith by trade, and had been plying his trade 
at McHarry's Mill, prior to locating in the village. He was followed, a short 
time afterward, by E. Y. Nichols, M. D., who built the second residence, and, 
as ;■ matter of course, was the first resident physician of the place. Harrison 
Venard was the third resident of the place. Venard was from Ohio, and, in 
company with a Mr. Rosebrough, who was also from the Buckeye State, 
opened the first store in the village, near the close of 1860. The firm of 
Venard & Rosebroujih, after a few months, became that of Venard & Mussel- 
man. A second store was opened in 1863 or 1861. by Musselman and Aaron 
Littell. The latter came from New Jersey, but had settled in the county and 
in the township in 1843. Others came in from time to time, and other stores 
and shops were opened, till, at one time, Topeka seemed to be on the highway 
to prosperity, lint, like many of our Western towns, it attained its growth 
almost in the dawn of its existence, and, for some years past, it has remained 
Stationary. A grain warehouse was built by Moses Eckard. in 1860. R. ^ . 
Stires, of St. Louis, was the first to operate in grain at this point. R. R. 
Siinmonds, of Havana, and Porter & Walker have operated in grain at differ- 
ent times. The grain was handled in sacks and shipped on flats. In 1875, 
Flowers. Allen & Sherman built a very small and cheaply constructed elevator: 
this has been but little used since its completion. Low & Foster, through W . 
H. Eckard, handle the grain at present. About seventy thousand bushels is 
the average amount handled annually. A neat and substantial passenger 
depot was erected by the railroad company in 1S72. which adds to the appear- 
ance of the village. Harrison Venard was the first agent at this point. W. 
II. Eckard is the present gentlemanly agent, and has held the position since 



HISTORY OF M \>"N OOUNTT. 

1867. The Methodist Episcopal Church, the only boose of public worship in 
the village, was erected in ]^*'<~>. at a cosl of Dearly $4,300. Among the early 
eommunicants, we find the names of Lewis II. Ringhouse and wife, Mrs. 
olwell, David Kepford and wife, Caleb Slade and wife, Phillip Brown, 
John M. Mc Reynolds and family. Rev; T J. M Simmons was the first Pas- 
1 arch. It has Bince enjoyed the labors of Revs. J. ( i Mitchell, 
A. M. Pilcher, <i. M. Crays, and others. Rev. I. A. Powell is the present 
officiating minister. The i gregation is in a prosperous condition, and work- 
ing harmoniously for the upbuilding of the cause. A Sunday Bchool of fine 
iuterest is connected with the Church. The post office at Topeka was eg 
lished in the latter part of 1860, or early in 1861. Ha ris »n Venard was 1 1 j « - 
fir-t Postmaster. The Balary at ii" time lias been princely, and those who 
bave kept it have endured it a< a necessary evil rather than from choice. J. 
!•'. Ruhl i> the present incumbent. A neat frame school building was 
in 1867. It is not grand and imposing in its appearance, but is amply suffi- 
cient to accommodate the village urchins. 

\ ii. I. am: [NCORPOB \ ni'. 

An act to incorporate the village of Topeka was approved by the 1. 
rare April 1". L869. Under this act, Samuel R. Yates. Phillip Brown and 
Robert <J. Rider were named as Trustees of the village, their term of offii 
continue until the firsl Monday in April, 1 s 7 < ► . The Board organized by 
electing S. R. Fates, President; L. S. Allen. Village Clerk; Phillip Brown, 
Police Magistrate, and John Norman, Town Constable. The revenue of the 
rillage from license of any kind has been very limited, and whatever public 
improvements have been made have been paid for by direct taxation imp 
npon the citizens, or by voluntary contribution. The members composing the 
present Board are the following : Phillip Brown. I). \V. Flowers, W. II. Eck- 

srcL The village officers are: Phillip Broun. President; Th lore Bell, 

Town Clerk, and Dr. J. W. Downey, Police Justice. The business of the 
place is comprised in ><uf general Btore, one drug, grocery and hardware Btore, 
one confectionery and two blacksmith-shops. Dr. J. W. Downey is the resi« 

dent physician, and is :i well-rend and successful practitioner. The population 

of Topeka does n i one hundred and fifty. Although the village Bite is 

the most eligible of any point along the route from Pekin to Havana, yet its 
proximity to the latter renders it altogether improbable that Topeka will ever 
be more than the pleasant little village of to day. drawing its patronage and 

support from the immediate vicinity in which it is located. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. til-") 



FOREST CITY TOWNSHIP. 

This township is known as Town 22 north, Ranges <> and 7 west of the Third 
Principal Meridian. It is bounded north and east by Manito Township, south 
by Pennsylvania and Sherman Townships, and wesl by Quiver Township. It 
is the smallest of the thirteen civil townships into which the county has been 
divided, and comprises a little more than thirty-one sections in its area. In 
surface configuration, it is very similar to the adjacent townships of Manito and 
Quiver. Timber-land is found only in the northwest corner of the township. 
Fully five-sixths of its entire surface is prairie land, most of which is very pro- 
ductive The soil is similar in character to that found in general throughout 
the whole extent of the county — a rich, brown mold, freely intermixed with 
Band. The proportions of clay, etc., intermingled, vary somewhat in different 
localities — some being far more argillaceous than others. In the woodland 
portions, the surface often arises into bold, round bluffs, with mound-appearing 
escarpments so common to the landscape further south along the Illinois River. 
Quiver Creek, a small stream flowing in a general southwestern direction 
through the township, take? its rise near the village of Forest City and leaves 
the township near the northwest corner of Section 27. This, with artificial 
ditches constructed leading into it, efficiently drains a large amount of the 
prairie portion of the township. In 1862, when township organization was 
effected, this division received the name of Mason Plains. Prior to this, it had 
been designated as Mason Plains Precinct — a name given by the early Meth- 
odist ministers to their appointments in this section. This name it continued 
to bear until 1873, when, by an act of the Board of Supervisors, it was changed 
to that of Forest City Township. The reason for the change existed in the 
fact that difficulties and perplexities often arose in the shipment of matter, 
intended for Mason Plains, to Mason City, in the southeastern portion of the 
county. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

So far as we have been able to learn, there were no settlements made in the 
limits of the township prior to 1840. Robert Cross and family came from 
New Jersey and settled in Greene County, 111., as early as 1830. In 1842, 
Alexander, a son of Robert, came to Mason County and settled in Quiver 
Township, about a mile east of McHarry's Mill. During the summer, he fre- 
quently passed over this, section of the county, and from his statements we 
learn that, at that time, there were but five houses standing in what is now 
Forest City Township. These were all in the edge of the timber, in the north- 
west corner of the township. Four of them were occupied, and the following 
named persons are given as their occupants: A. Wmtrow, Peter llimmel, A. 
File and Stephen Hedge. Wintrow came in 1840, and was, doubtless, the first 



64(3 HISTORY OF M kSOH COUNTY. 

man to make an improvement in the township. Mr. Croaa thinks that Himmel, 
File and Hedge all came in 1 s 4l'. while Jerry Miller, who settled, in an early 
day, across the line in Manito Township, gives it as his opinion that Hedge did 
not come prior to 1*44. Wintrow, File and Himmel came from " der Fader- 
land," and Hedge from Fulton County. The latter is supposed t<> have c 
originally from some one of the Eastern States, as he was b pronounced Aboli- 
tioni>t long before thai Bentiment found a secure lodgment in this section. The 
unoccupied building stood upon Congress land, and had, probably, been erected 
and occupied by a "bird of passage," who, after a short sojourn, plumed his 

wing8 and took his flight to regions farther west. Hed<re, after a resident 
some years, returned to Fulton County, of which he continued a resident up to 
the date of his death. Peter Himmel is the only one of the four now li\ 
In the same neighborhood, at the time of which we arc writing, there were 
living "Id man Ray, Riley Morris, Abel Maloney, and a tew others just a< 
the line in Manito Township, whose places of settlement and date «>f coi 
have been given in the history of that township. Settlements in the township did 
imt occur rapidly for a number of years, ow ing to the fact, n<> doubt, that its availa- 
ble lands were prairie. About 1846 or 1847, Alexander Pemberton and a man of 
the name of Babbitt settled "ii the prairie across Qui ver Creek, a short distance 
south of the presenl \ illa^e of Forest City. They were the 6rsl to venture 
away from the woods. Alexander Cross came up from Quiver Township and 
made a settlement in 1848. The same year brought in William G. Greene and 
his brother, Nult Greene, from Menard County, and William Coolage, from 
Tennessee. The Greenes settled Boutb of Quiver ("reek, where William (J., in 
a lew years, possessed himself of a large tract of land. In 1852, he sold out 
his entire landed estate and returned to Menard County. He i- ii"\\ a resident 
of Tallula, and is engaged in agriculture and in the banking business. His 
brother, Null Greene, romoved to McDonough County, of which he is at | 
ent a resident. 

In L850, the population was increased by the coming of August Webber, 

ojsfelter and Harfst. These all settled in the woods in the northwest corner 

of the township. They wne from Germany, and formed the nucleus of the 

large German population which dow occupies a large portion of the township. 

The spring of 1852 broughl in William Ellsworth, Thomas II. Ellsworth, 

William Ellsworth, Jr., Joseph C. Ellsworth and their families. Tin «e all 

came from Fulton County, the three last mentioned being sons of the first, but 
all men of family. T. (J. Onstot, from Menard County, came in the - 
year, and Fred Lux, from Pennsylvania. Most of .hem are still resident 
the township. About the same dat< N k ime from Seneca 

County, Ohio, and purchased the landed estate of W. <i. Greene, consistii 
pver two thousand acre-. Mr. Nikirk did m>t live long to enjoy the comforts 
of his new home. He died in l s -"'-">. leaving to bis family his large estate. 
Twenty years later, his wife followed him to the land of shadows, leaving her 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 6*41 

children pleasant and comfortable homes, nearly all in sight of the old home- 
stead. The Nikirk brothers are among the most substantial farmers and busi- 
ness men of the township. John Bowser, also a resident of the township, was 
a Buckeye, from Seneca County, who came at or near the date of the coining 
of the Nikirks. From this date forward, settlements were rapidly made in 
the various portions of the township. The vast superiority of the prairie land 
for agricultural purposes began to be realized, and the settler no longer sought 
the shelter of the timber, with its too sandy soil, but pushed boldly out into the 
open prairie and began his improvements. Coming on down for a year or two, 
we find the names of William F. Bruning, Garrett Bruning, Carl Grumble, 
Silas Cheek, Fred Foster, N. Drake, John Martin, and others of whom time 
and space forbid that we should particularize, other than to say that they were 
all good, industrious citizens, and, by the improvement of their farms, added 
much to the wealth and prosperity of the township. 

Samuel H. Ingersoll, who became a citizen of Mason County in 1855, 
deserves more than a passing notice. He was born in Medina County, in 
1828. In 1840, he went to California, where he remained till 1855, at which 
date he became a citizen of Mason County. In 1850. he led to the nuptial 
altar Miss Lois A. Van Orman, of Ohio, and soon after located on one of those 
beautiful undulations or prairie-swells a short distance south of Forest City. 
His business was that of farming and milling, and his rare judgment and busi- 
ness-tact rendered both a financial success. His popularity with, and ability 
to serve, his friends and neighbors may be best attested by the fact that he was 
called at thirteen different times to a seat in the County Board of Supervisors 
by the citizens of his township. It was in this position that his judgment and 
influence were largely useful, not only to his own immediate constituency, but 
also to the people of Mason County. His death occurred in 1877. Recently, 
as a tribute of respect, Mrs. Ingersoll has erected to his memory one of the 
finest monuments in the county. The site selected for his burial is one of the 
finest in this section of the County. It is known upon the public records as 
the Nikirk Cemetery, and is so situated that it commands a view from all 
parts of the surrounding country, also from the passing trains on the P., P. & J. 
Railroad, on which road Mr. Ingersoll was an important shipper, and of which 
he was an interested friend. 

SOME OF THE EARLY ENCONVBNIENCES. 

Much the same surroundings and inconveniences greeted the early settlers 
of this township as did those of Manito and other adjacent pint ions of the 
county. Their marketing had to be done a long way from home, and the time 
required for getting their crops to market was almost equal in length to that 
required to raise them. Their principal trading-points were Havana. Mackinaw 
and Pekin. Their milling was done at Mackinaw or across the river in Fulton 
County. The journey to Mackinaw consumed four or five days, governed 



648 HISTORY OF M \>"N 001 STi 

what by the length of time they bad to wait for a "grist " to be ground. 
Siiiun indfl built a mill <»n Quiver Greek, in quite an early day, and a few yean 
later, McHarry's Mill, on the Bame stream, was that thoa 

in a few years subsequent to the date "f the earliest settlements made in the 
ton oship, were denied tin 1 exquisite pleasure of going to mill at Mackinaw, and 

Spoon River, in Pulton County. While there were many incom 
and hardships to be endured by the early settlers, they had many things of 
which we cannot boast to-day. They had game of almost all kinds, which could 
be bad for the simple act of killing. It did not require hunting, for there was 
a superabundance on every hand. Alexander Cross states that on one 
he counted forty deer in a Bingle herd, as they rose up one at a time, and then 
they began getting up so fast that he could not keep the run of them any lonj 
Thomas II. Ellsworth takes the " trick " and goes fifty-six bett >r. Wild game 
of all kinds was so abundant that the fanner did not dare to cut up his corn in 
the fall and [dace it in shocks ; if he did he was sure to come out in the spring 
minus one-third to one-half of hi< crop. The marshes and sand hills around 

the head of Quiver Creek were famous hunting-grounds in an early day. But 
the march of civilization, the dense Bettling-up of the coantry and its impi 
incut into fine and productive farms, have driven out all the larger kinds of game, 
and we have nothing left save that which is commonly found in the older settled 
portions of our country. Vast and mighty changes have come upon us during 
the forty years last past. Foresl City Township has never had a L r nst-mill 
erected within her borders. McHarry's, in Quiver, and Shanholtzer's, in Man- 
ito, supply the deficiency. The Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad, put in 
operation in 1859, is the only railroad line in the township. It passes diagon- 
ally through the northwest corner of the township, in a southwestern direction, 
giving to it about four miles of track. 

i w,\.\ pki: \<him;, .schools, etc. 

The first preaching, as was customary, was at the houses of the piom 
and among those who ministered to the spiritual wants of the people in an 
early day, we find the names of Revs, Gardner, Rutledge, Randall, and the 
venerable Peter Cartwright. These were missionaries in tin' M. K. Church. 
William Perkins, a Presbyterian divine, occasionally preached in the 
township, but was regularly engaged in the work at Topeka. Transient min- 
isters of other denominations discoursed at times to the people, but none 
remained to effeel church organisation Bave the Methodists. After the build- 
ing of schoolhouses, preaching was transferred to them, and they were made to 
serve the triple purpose of meeting house, schoolhouse and voting-place for the 
net. The firsi school building erected in the township was the one now 

known as dnion No. 1. and i> situated aboul one and one half miles south 01 

the village of Forest City. It was huilt in l s ">t. and John Covington was the 
first teacher. Others were built as the increase of population demanded, and 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 649 

at present each district is supplied with good frame buildings. The " old loir 
schoolhousc " of the days of auld lang syne has faded away, and comes to us 
only in visions of the past. 

The first Sunday Bchool organized in the township was al the hous 
Thomas II. Ellsworth, in the spring of 1853. William Ellsworth was the first 
Superintendent. It continued at the residence of Mr. Ellsworth till the build- 
ing of the schoolhousc in 1854. when it was transferred to that point. It 
finally became the nucleus of the first Sunday school established in the village. 
A number of those who took part in the first organization are at present resi- 
dents of the village, and take a lively interest in the Sunday-school cause. 
There are two church edifices in the township outside of the village — the Ger- 
man Methodist, or Albright, and the German Lutheran, or Lutheran Evangel- 
ical. The Albright Church was erected in 185b', and, as the congregation grew 
in numbers, the building in a few years became too small to accommodate it. 
In 1865, they rebuilt and greatly increased the size of their house. The 
Church owns forty acres of valuable land, and upon this stands the church 
building and parsonage. A neatly laid-out and kept cemetery also occupies a 
portion of the tract. Their Church property has an estimated value of not less 
than $7,000. It is, perhaps, the wealthiest congregation in Mason County. 
Most of its members are well-to-do farmers, living in this and adjacent town- 
ships. The building is located on a gentle rise of ground, from which a com- 
manding view of the country may be had on all sides; its tall, white spire, point- 
ing heavenward, presents a pleasing appearance to the traveler passing over the 
line of the P., P. & J. Railroad. The Lutheran Church was built a year or 
two later, is in the same portion of 'the township, about one and one-half miles 
south of Bishop's Station. It is also a frame church, and cost about $1,200. 
Regular services are held, and a flourishing Sunday school is connected with 
it. Forest City Township has a large per cent of German population, and. as 
is usually the case, they are thriving, enterprising citizens, possessed of finely- 
improved farms, well stocked. Taken throughout its whole extent, this town 
ship compares favorably with other portions of the county in its adaptation to 
the growth of corn and the other cereals common to this latitude. 

VILLAGE OF FOREST CITY. 

The village of Forest City was surveyed, in 1859, by J. F. Coppel and 
Alexander Cross, for Walker, Kemp. Wright and Waggenseller. The original 
plat contained forty-seven acres. An addition of forty acres lying east of the 
original town was made in 1865 by D. S. Broderic. The lines of original sur- 
vey were run north and south, but were never recorded. The plat, as recorded, 
lie; parallel with the railroad line. The village is located seventeen miles dis- 
tant from Pekin and thirteen from Havana. It was. atone time,quitean exten- 
sive grain mart, but the growth of Mason City on the east, and points on the 
I.. 15. & W. R. R., south, have deducted largely from the amount of it- annual 



»''•'.<> HI8T0BY OP MASON OOUNTT. 

ahipment8. Alexander Cross built the first residence on the town Bite, and 
occupied it in the latter part of L859. The house is still Btanding, and has 
converted into an office by Dr. James 8. Walker. Thomas II. Ellsworth 
built ;i residence and became a denizen of the place in 1860. Josiah Jackson, 
S. T. Walker, T. A. Gibson, B. T. Nikirk and others were among the earliest 
citizens of the place. Cross & Walker built the first Btoreroom and began 
merchandising in 1861. In 1864, or \^<'<-'>. Elodgers & Bros., built the Becond 

e-building in the village and opened up a Btock <»f general merchandise. 
The business interests ofthe village continued to grow till, at one time, it had 

four g i • 'i full Mast. In 1861, Messrs. Cross & Walker built a grain 

warehouse and began purchasing grain. The grain trade increased bo rapidly 
that in 1864 they built an elevator at a cost of 86,000. It has a capacity for 
:' 40,000 bushels. The grain interests of the village, at present, are 
looked after by S. T. Walker, agent for Smith. Bippen & <'<>.. of Pekin, and 
/.. Miller. The annual amount handled approximates 250,000 bushels. Quite an 
amount of hogs and rattle are -hipped from this point. The trade and traffic of 
the village reaches, perhaps, $40,000 per annum. The post office was estab- 
lished in 1861, and Alexander Cross was appointed Postmaster. He received 
his commission from Montgomery Blair as Postmaster General. Mr. Cross has 

: continuously from his first appointment down to the present time, and has 
been efficient and accommodating, as might readily be interred from his long 
continuation in office. 

A neat frame Bchool building, two stories high, was erected in 1 V T7. at ■ 

$1,500. This is the pride and ornament of the village, and is a fitting 

monument to the liberality of the citizens of the district, who submitted to a 

heavy taxation in order to Becure the huilding. The M. E. Church, the onlv 

-'■ of worship in the village, was erected in 1863 or 1864. Rev. S. B. 
liirsey was the first Pastor. It is a neat frame building, pleasantly situated in 
a small grove in the western portion of the village. It has a membership of 
about fifty souls, who meet regularly for worship. A fine and flourishing Sun- 
day Bchool is held in connection with its Bervices. Dr. George Mastiller was 
the first physician to locate in the town. a> well as the first in the township. 
E. N. Nichols, M. D., was also in the township quite early. The former 
present a resident of Kansas, and the latter, some years ago, took op hi< abode 
in Missouri. Drs. Ja 9 '< i i tnd '!. W, Dunn are at present resident 
physicians, each well Bkilled in bis profession, and enjoying a good practice. A 
G 4 Templars was organized in l s <»-">. The charter members were 
Thomas II. Ellsworth and wife, T. <>. < )n~t . .t. Josiah Jackson and wife, T. A. 
Gibson and wife, Miss Sarah Ellsworth, and others whose names could nol be 
obtained. In February, l s, '>7. the hall in which the lodge meetings were held 
was consumed by fire, and the Lodgi soon same extinct. Foresl City 

Lodge, No. 246, I. O. G. T., was organized Jan. 27, L879, by J. Q. Detwiler, 
State Deputy. A charter was granted t<> Thomas A. Gibson and wife, Josiah 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. >'<■'>] 

Jackson, George W. Peraberton, Mrs. Nancy Cross, Susie- Cross, G. W . Nikirk, 
Harry Dunn, Lydia Ellsworth, Mary Ellsworth, Solomon Nikirk, Lillie Ni- 
kirk, Lizzie Nikirk, W . 1). Thomas, E. E. Bird, lia \V. Bruning, [saac Beard and 
William F. Bruning as charter members. The Lodge is in fine working order, 
and, at present, has a membership of about sixty-live. Regular meetings occur 
on Saturday evening of each week. 

A substantial iron bridge, erected at a cost of from $1,800 to $2,000, spans 
Quiver Creek, just south of the village. In the winter of L876, the citizens 
constructed a gravel road from the village to, and for some distance beyond, the 
bridge. The gravel was obtained at Mackinaw, the P., P. & J. R. R. furnish- 
ing transportation free, and for once, at least, disproving the oft-repeated 
assertion that railroad corporations have no souls. The neat and substan- 
tial passenger depot at this point, under the management of Mr. E. T. 
Nikirk & Son, is an ornament to the town and a credit to the officials 
of the road. Forest City Township has been largely Republican in her 
political complexion since the earliest formation of the party. In the days 
when the old Whig and Democratic parties vied with each other for supremacy, 
this " district " could always be relied upon for a handsome Whig majority. 
During these latter years, the Republican party has held the field whenever 
party lines were strictly drawn. At the outbreaking of the late civil strife, her 
loyal sons were not slow in attesting their fealty and devotion to the Stars and 
Stripes. At each and every call, she furnished her full quota, and no draft 
was made upon her patriotic citizens to fill up the oft-depleted ranks of the 
patriot army. Many of her noble boys are taking their long, deep sleep in 
Southern soil, beneath a Southern sun, far from the spot of their early child- 
hood. They fell in the discharge of duty and in the defense of their country's 
honor. Fond fathers and loving mothers cherish with fondest delight the 
memory of the brave boys whose lives were offered a willing sacrifice upon 
their nation's altar. Of such we may say, in the poet's fitting strain : 

"Soldier, rest! thy warfare's o'er, 

Sleep the sleep that knows no breaking ; 
Dream of battle-fields no more, 

Days of danger, nights of waking." 

Forty years ago, Forest City Township was without an inhabitant. Now 
her surface is thickly studded with comfortable homes, and thrift and enterprise 
greet us on every hand. Her citizens are alive to every movement that tends 
to advance the interests of their section, and her annual productions rank sec- 
ond to but few townships in the county. Bishop Station, a small village on the 
P., P. & J. R. R., three miles southwest of Forest City, was laid out for Henry 
Bishop in the spring of 1875. The post office was established in 1871, four 
years prior to the date of laying out the town. A grain elevator, two general 
stores and a blacksmith-shop comprise the business buildings of the village. 
These, with some half-dozen residences, include all that there is in the town. 



652 HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

We have been able to obtain but very little of its history, though dilif 
inquiry has been made. It- citizens have been backward in giving us anything 
like a connected history of the place, laboring, perhaps, under the misappre- 
hension that we were desirous of buying the town at the present low ruling 
price, and doI recognizing the facl that we were simply desirous of obtaining 
data from which to compile a historical Bketch of the place. However, the 
prospects for its rapid development intoavi lage of any considerable imports 
i- Dot) at present, very Battering. Its location — about midway between Forest 
City and Topeka — precludes the possibility of it- ever being more than a point 
of local interest. 



LYNCHBURG TOWNSHIP. 

A latter-day statesman, making a speech in Congress, a year or two 
wishing to i 1 1 < 1 1 1 1 lt • ■ in a little sarcasm al something or somebody, in the course 
of hi< remarks said that •• When God Almighty made the world, he had an 
apron ful of Band left over, which he poured out on the Atlanl . and 

called thf spot New •!< It' this be true, one mighl be led to the Conclu- 

sion that Il<' also had enough left to make, nol only Lynchburg Township, but 
the greater part of Mason County. Anyway, the sand is here in considerable 
quantities, whether it was spilled from somebody's apron, or was washed down 
from Lake Michigan during the drift period. How it came here is a conun- 
drum, to solve which is no part of our work in these pag 

Lynchburg Township lies in the southwest part of Mason County, in the 
forks of the [llinois and Sangamon Rivers, and is bounded on the north, 
and south by these streams, and on the east by the township of Bath. It is 
pretty well divided between prairie ami timber land, the latter lying contigu- 
ous to the water-courses. It is well watered by the river- flowing along 
borders and the number of its little lakes within its limits ; and to the in 
tion thus produced is doubtless owing the prolific nature ol this Bandy soil, and 
the fine crop- it bo abundantly brings forth. In addition to the lake- and riv- 

ia Snicarte Slough, which runs through the north part of the town, and 
i- aim tl to a little river. 

Lynchburg has do vill The hamlet of Snicarte approx- 

imates the oearesl a town it has ever known. The shipping facilil st <>f 

r transportation, and the hauling of freights over to Bath and Saidora 
Station, where they are shipped via the P., P. >v J. R. It- Upon the whole, 
the township is a flourishing one. and boasts of many wealthy and energetic 
farmers. With this preliminary introduction an 1 description, we will now 
devote a few pages to its 

b word, and ■ iota lot* 

• • | t.. tha iii'Men anil 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 658 

I \i:n SBTI M l;-. 

The first Bettler in Lynchburg Township was Nelson Abbey, in 1833. He 
came from the Green Mountains of Vermont, and built the first cabin in the terri- 
tory now embraced in this township, on Section 4. He sold out at an early 

day and removed to Missouri (near St. Jo), where, at the last account of him, 
he was still living. As in other portions of Mason and Menard Counties, 
many of the early settlers in this section were from Kentucky. From that 
State we have William and John Rogers, the Phelpses, Isaac Bright. Jerry 
Northern, William P. Finch, Amos S. West. William Davis and perhaps other?. 
Davis came to the town and made a small improvement in 1838. He settled 
-Mine distance south of where the old village of Moscow stood. At the first 
breaking-out of the California gold fever, he went to that land of enchantment. 
Further, we know nothing of him. Amos S. West came to Illinois and net- 
tled first in Morgan Comity, and came to Mason County in 1844. He located 
in this township, but finally moved to Kansas. 

The Phelpses came to the neighborhood in 1838 or 1839. George W. first 
settled in Cass County, and afterward removed to Bath Township, whence 
he came to this place, as mentioned above. He finally sold out, returned to 
Kentucky, and from there removed to Missouri, where, as the novel-writers 
say. we at present leave him. R. J. Phelps was a son-in-law of John Camp, 
and settled about three-quarters of a mile east of Snicarte. He lived here 
some time, and then removed about a mile further east. His first wife died 
between 1844 and 1840, and he married a second time, a sister to Mark A. 
Smith, an old settler and a prominent citizen of Lynchburg Township. Mr. 
Phelps was one of the early Justices of the Peace of this section. He accu- 
mulated considerable property, and, after the death of his second wife, he married 
again, and then removed to the southwest part of Nebraska, where he now lives. 

Bright settled in the southwest part of the town in 1840 or 1841, but died 
about 1844. He was also an early Justice of the Peace in this quarter of the 
county. His widow married one of the Phelpses, and finally removed to 
Texas. Jerry Northern came to the settlement about 1839 or 1840. He set- 
tled in Cass County upon his arrival in Illinois, where he remained for a time, 
and then came here, as above stated. Me bad a large family, and was also a 
man of some means and owned quite a farm. He at length sold out and moved 
away. His sons wire Edmund A., John. Wellington and Frank, of whom 
none, we believe, now live in the town. 

The Rogerses came in b s -"> v or 1839. William settled one mile west of 
Snicarte, and John three miles southwest of the same spot. They were 
brothers, and the first mentioned was a doctor, while John was a blacksmith. 
Each was the first of his profession in this section of the country. William 
Rogers was a brother-in law of Nelson Abbey. John Rogers died about 1868 
or 180'.'. 



654 BISTORT OP MASON COUNTY. 

William P. Finch came in 1842 or l v b'>. and was one of the early peda- 
g< gues, also a Justice of the Peace. A daughter of hie married J. A. Phelps. 
I!i~ two youngest Bona are still living in the township. 

Amos Smith came from Vermont, ami settled in this township in the win- 
ter <>f l v -'i'.'. aboul a milr from Snicarte. Amos Smith. Jr., and Benjamin F. 

Smith, lii- -'i,-. came with teams to Whitehall. X. V.. ami by canal ami Lake 

Erie from Buffalo to Cleveland, and by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illi- 
nois Rivers to BeardstOWn, where they arrived in 1837. Amos Smith. Jr., was 
elected Justice of the Peace at the organization of the COUnty, an office he held 

until his death, in 1850. He was also one of the firsl County Commissioi 
Amiiv Smith. Si., the lather, died in 1841. Benjamin F. Smith was a car- 
penter. He accumulated considerable property, and died in 1867. Mark A. 

Smith, another BOD of Amos Smith. Sr.. came to the town in L839, and is -till 
living, one of* the enterprising men of the county. IK- arrived with his family 
at Moscow, in Mason County, on the 15th of October, with a fortune consist- 
ing of .">7 cents in ready money. He tells the following story of his early 
experience here : When he landed, the family and goods were left on the bank 
of the river, while he went to explore the town ami to procure a team. 
town consisted of two log cabins, deserted at the time. He traveled six miles 

to Abbey's, procured a team and returned about 3 o'clock for his family. 

lie took them to Abbey's, where three families wen' domiciled in one cabin 
until others could be built. In 1853, he built a warehouse, ami engaged in the 
grain trade, and, in connection with merchandising, still follows the busini 
-"me extent. 

Simon Ward came from North Carolina in ls3s. He used to follow selling 
wood to b team boats, at that time quite an extensive business. He removed to 

Texas, but. after - rs, came back, and finally died here. He set out the 

fust ore-hard in the presenl township of Lynchburg, in 1835, on Section 35, of 
the Congressional Town 20, Range 10 west. James Ward, a son, -till lives 
on the Burr < lak Ridge. 

_'e W. Carpenter was from Tennessee, and came to the settlement 

early. lie raised a large family, and lived then- many years, but at last moved 

to Kansas, -lame- D. Reeves came about 1838—39, but his native State is not 
remembered. He Bettled one ami one-half miles Bouth of Moscow, where he 

had a cabin and a -mall improvement when the Smiths came to the settlci; 
lie moved away several years ago. 

[lev. John ("amp was from Pennsylvania, and came about 1838. lie was 
a local preacher of the M. I-;, church, ami hesitated not, it seems, to mingle in 

the politics of the day. as we learn he wa> the first Probate Judge of M 

County, being learned in the profane bb well as the divine law. and is men- 
tioned ass man of '•moderate learning and moderate ability." He built a 
horse-mill a: an early day, where the pioneer.- Used to get their hominy. lb 
died in the township. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 657 

John Stewart, mentioned as one of the first settlers in Bath Township, is 
also an early settler in this, and is still living. He settled originally on Sni- 
carte Island, on that portion qow included in Bath, and which he sold to Amos 
Richardson, and hy him was sold to John Knight, lie then settled in what is 
now Lynchburg. Caleb Brown and family came from New York, and first 
settled in Adams County, whence they came to Lynchburg in 1843-44. 
His family consisted of two sons and several daughters. John Healey was also 
an early settler, but of him little information was obtained.. Jonathan Sack- 
man came in 1840-41 ; remained in the settlement but a year or two. He was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, and, after receiving this high honor, moved 
away. He came from Schuyler County to this township, but his native place 
is not known. John J. Fletcher, an Englishman, came to the town in 1848, 
and is still living, an enterprising citizen, and we acknowledge our indebted- 
ness for many points in the history of this township. 

The Marshalls came from Overton County, Tenn., about 1839-40. There 
were four brothers of them, viz.: George, John, David and Elisha. John died 
here, years ago. George and Elisha removed to Adams County, and David t<» 
Missouri, lminy years ago. 

Thomas Bowles came here in 1838-39, but was one of those characters 
often found in a new country, that do not add much credit to its population. It 
is said that he strove hard to make money otherwise than by the sweat of his 
brow. In other words, he was somewhat addicted to " shoving the queer" 
whenever an opportunity offered. Two men, named Ashley Hickey and Aaron 
Ray, became interested with him. Hickey furnished means to purchase mate- 
rial and tools for their new enterprise, and Bowles went to St. Louis to make 
the investment, but, instead of doing so, spent the shekels in " riotous living," 
perhaps, and returned home with the story that he had bought the tools and 
ordered them shipped to the place; but, as they came not, he was accused, first, 
of falsehood, and then of swindling, and, finally, kicked out of the neighbor- 
hood. 

James M. Ingram came from the Hoosier State in 1840, and settled in this 
section. He was drowned, some two years later, in Snicarte Slough. Zeph 
Keith was from Tennessee, originally, but settled in Cass County. \\ hence 
he removed to this place about 1842-43. He is mentioned as a genial, jolly 
good fellow, and, after remaining here some years, removed to Kansas. The 
Lanes came from Pennsylvania about 1842. Jacob Lane, the lather, died 
here in 1873, but his sons are still living in the town. The Mays. Pleasant 
May and his son William, were from Kentucky or Virginia, and came in l s;> >7. 
William died here in 1850, and the old gentleman moved to Missouri. George 
May was a brother to Pleasant May, and laid out the village of Lynchburg, m< 
noticed in another page. William Bailey came from Kentucky in 1839, and 
moved to Kansas several years ago. Thomas, Richard and William Ainsworth 
are natives of England, and came to America in 1842, and located in this 



658 BISTORT "F IfASOfl I OUNTT. 

township. Thomas, the eldest, bad (800; the other two had $50 apiece. They 
borrowed some money from Thomas to enter land, and all agreed to work 
together until they bad forty acres of land in cultivation. They are now com- 
paratively wealthy men. Thomas and William live in Lynchburg Township, 
and Richard in Mason City. The Laymans are from Ohio, and came here 
about 1845-46. The father, David Layman, was a native Virginian. He died 
here in l s -~>4. Several Bona are still living in the township. William Howarth 
came to Lynchburg with the Ainsworths In IMl!. and is still living in the town. 
This includes a list of the early settlers, as far as we have been able to obtain 
them. < > w i 1 1 lt to the very sandy nature of this portion of the county, it is not 
bo thickly -*t tied as other and more favored Localities. Neither has the town 
much history of particular interest, beyond its actual settlement. 

RELIGIOl 8 AND BD1 0ATIONAL. 

The first religious society was organized by the Methodists, in 1838. The 
early preachers of this faith were Revs. Roberl Anderson and Williams — the 

latter familiarly known a< " Daddy Williams." The original members were 
John Cain]) and wife. George Marshall and wife, dames D. Reeves and 
The presenl membership is about sixty communicants. A frame church 

built in 1849-50, at B COSl Ol (1,400, and was dedicated by l'etcr Cartwright. 

The church is known as Fairview M. E. Church, and is located on the line 
between Sections 1" and L5. George A. Bonney took an active part in build- 
ing up the BOCiety. The Sunday school was organized in I s I s . with Tli 

Ainsworth as the first Superintendent. They have a library of about two hun- 
dred volumes, and over a hundred children attend the school regularly. William 
Ainsworth, the present Superintendent, has Berved in that capacity for the 
twenty-two years. 

Hopewell Baptist Church was organized in January, 1840, by Revs. Daniels 
and Thomas Taylor, with the following original members: I W, Camp- 

bell and wife, William Davis and wife, Benjamin F. Smith and wife and Mrs. 
Lydia Phelps. It was organized at the residence of William Davis, aboul 
miles east of Snicartc Services were held at private houses until the building 
of a Bchoolhouse in the neighborhood, in l v ."rj. This was then used for church 
purposes until 1866-66, when a frame church building was put at Snicartc. 
30x40 feet, at a cost of aboul $1,200. Many members of the Church have 
moved away, and it is now on a decline, numbering only about thirty-five mem- 
bers. They were without a shepherd the past year. In 1864, a Sunday school 
was organized, with Josiah English as Superintendent. The present Superin- 
tendent is John 11. Reemtsen, and the usual attendance is from fifteen to 
twenty children. 

Who taught the first Bchool, and in what year, we were unable to barn. 
William P. Finch was. however, an early teacher; but whether or not he was 
the first, is an unsettled question. There was a Bchool taught by Mrs. Camp. 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 659 

a sister of Mark A. Smith, before there was a schoolhouse in the township. 
H. G. Rice taught the first school,, perhaps, after the building of a house for 
school purposes. At present, there are five schoolhouses in the town, one log and 
four frame buildings. In these, good schools are maintained for the usual term 
each year. The first marriage in Lynchburg was that of William Cole and 
Miss Nancy May. The first birth — Henry Ward, a son of Simon Ward, born 
in 1834, and in the same year, occurred the first death, that of Mary Jane 
Smith, daughter of M. A. Smith. The first mill was built by John Camp in 
1835, on Section 3, of Town 19, and was a small horse-mill. It was of con- 
siderable benefit to the neighborhood at that early day. The only mill in the 
township, at present, is a steam saw and grist mill at Snicarte, owned by 
Hiram Goodrich. It grinds corn, but makes no attempt at grinding wheat. 
The latter grain is taken mostly to the Bath and Chandlerville mills. The first 
two-story house was built by John J. Fletcher on Section 1. Amos Smith was 
the first Justice of the Peace. The officers of the township, at present, are as 
follows : J. H. Layman, Supervisor ; John J. Fletcher, Justice of the Peace 
(the other Justice, which the town is entitled to, moved away recently) ; Sam 
Johnson, Town Clerk, and Mark A. Smith, School Treasurer. In an early 
day. the people of this section got their mail at Havana. Later, when a post 
office was established at Bath, it served them until Snicarte became honored 
with an office. The township has no railroads, large towns or manufactories, 
but is devoted entirely to agricultural interests. It is, like other towns in 
Mason County, Democratic in politics. The part taken in the late war will be 
found in our war record in another chapter. 

Snicarte is the nearest approach to a village in Lynchburg Township, and 
it, we believe, has never been laid out or surveyed. A small grocery store was 
opened here by Mark Smith in 1858. This was changed to a general store the 
next year, enlarged and quite an extensive stock of goods opened out. Mr. 
Smith continued in the mercantile business until L873, when he sold to Henry 
C. Hoseman, who still keeps a small stock of goods. A post office was estab- 
lished here about 1859—60, with Horace Rice as Postmaster. Mr. Rice was 
Postmaster from the establishment of the office until his death, when M. A. 
Smith became Postmaster. He held the office until he sold his store to Hose- 
man, when the latter gentleman succeeded to the office, and is still Postmaster. 
John A. Reemtsen also has a store at this place, keeps a large stock of goods, 
and does quite an extensive business. M. A. Smith commenced the grain busi- 
ness here at an early day. He built a grain warehouse in 1853, and, some years 
later, built a larger one. In these, he has handled grain, more or less, every 
year since their erection. He still deals in grain. These branches of business, 
together with the mill already noticed, a church, blacksmith-shop and a few 
dwelling houses, constitute the hamlet of Snicarte. 

There was a village laid out in this township in a verv early day, by George 
May, and was called Lynchburg. But, as a town, it was never much of a 



860 HISTORY OP MASON COUNTY. 

May had his town laid out, then bought a barrel of whisky, and had a 
sale of lots, but some how it would riot go. It is said to have been a pi 

for a town, but-, with the proximity of Bath, Moscow and Matanzas, then 
in the zenith of their glory, Lynchburg was a total failure, and soon aband 
altogether. Fairview consists of a Methodist Ohurcb and a schoolhouse, and 

designated from the (act of its being situated on an elevated pie< 
ground, and whence B " fair view " of the surrounding country may he had. 



CRANK CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

Ca~tiiiL r our mental vision backward along the stre.im of time half a 
century, we behold the region of country now embraced in Mason Count} 
unbroken wilderness. I loir and there, near some point of timber, or hard >> v 
the hank of some creek or bubbling brooklet, might be found the log cabin of 
the sturdy pioneer, with a few acres rudely cultivated. These were the only 
indication- of an approaching civilization. Emigrants, regarding these plains 
and sand ridges as lit only to unite other and better portions of the country. 
avoided them as unworthy of their notice. Now and then one from a passing 
train dropped out. more from necessity than choice, and started an impr 
mriit In this manner the earliest settlements in the county were made, 
settler very soon discovered, however, that the forbidding appearance of the 

surface was a false indication, that an exuberance of productive power lay here 
concealed under an exterior sh^w <d' poverty. This fact being discovered led 
■dv. uniform and onward progress in the settlement and development of 
the territory. Despised and neglected as Bhe was in the beginning, M 

Count v to-day max safely challenge the State to produce hotter crops with ati 
equal amount of cultivation. Crane Creek Township, one of the civil divisions 
of the county, is situated BOUth of the center, and. in extent, contains a little 

more than one Congressional township. Originally, it embraced the eastern 

half of what is now Kilhoiirne Township. It is hounded, north and cast, by 
Sherman and Salt ('reek Townships respectively: south by the Sangamon 

River, and wesl by Kilbourne Township. The surface is about equally divided 

between prairie and w Hand. The extreme southern portion of this section 

ibjecl to overflow, and is valuable for pasturage only. The southwestern 
part of the timber district has a Gne growth of young and valuable timber, 

which has sprung up within the memory of 80me of the earlier settlers yet 
livin r, \ county ditch crosses the northwest comer and. with its tributaries, 

> 

drains a large extent of it- productive land. Much of the timber-land is high 

and broken, and the soil of an unproductive nature. Yardley, Revis and I 

Lakes are -mall bodies of water found in the south part of the township, tribu- 
tary to the Sangamon River. Taken throughout its entire extent, it is not the 
best, n"r Vet the lea-t productive of the various divisions of the county. In 



BISTORT? OF MASON COUNTY. 661 

point of settlement, it reaches back through a period of fifty years, and to this 
feature of its history we will now direct our attention. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The earliest settlement made in the township was in that portion of the 
woodland section first known as Price's, afterward Walker's Grove. To Henry 
Sears, who, although he has passed his threescore years and ten, is still in a 
fine state of physical and mental preservation, we are largely indebted for much 
that is interesting in the early history and settlement of this section. In 1829, 
the year in which 0. M. Ross is said to have settled permanently in Havana, 
George Garman and brother, from North Carolina or Kentucky, made a squat- 
ter's claim on the east side of the grove. They built a cabin and broke forty 
acres of the adjoining prairie. Like many other first settlers, they did not 
remain long before selling out their claim and returning to their native land. 
The year 1830 brought in a man by the name of Rose, also James Price, Enoch 
Estep and Spencer Clary. These all settled in the grove, excepting Estep, who 
located farther south. Of Rose no record has been given, either as to his for- 
mer place of residence or whither he went. He led a kind of nomadic life, and 
was probably more or less intimately connected with Price, with whom he 
came. James Price is well remembered from his intimate relation to the noble 
red men of the forest. His wife was an Indian squaw, a woman of fine mus- 
cular development and great physical endurance. On leaving Walker's Grove, 
Price next made a claim farther east, at what is known as Lease's Grove, in Salt 
Creek Township, and, after a few years, went west of the Mississippi to the reser- 
vation allotted to his red kinsmen by the General Government. Here he soon 
afterward lost his life while engaged in boating. Clary remained a citizen until 
the date of his decease, and his remains lie buried on land now owned by Uncle 
Henry Sears. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and is referred to by those that 
knew him as a clever, hardworking man, but one who did not have the faculty 
of acquiring property. He began life with nothing and held his own remark- 
ably well to the date of his demise. His family and immediate descendants 
have long been absent from the citizenship of the township. Estep was from 
North Carolina, and built his cabin at Revis' Springs, in the south part of 
this section. After a residence of some years, he moved to Jasper County, 
where he died. James A. Revis, from Warren County, Ky.,' came in 1831. 
From him Revis Lake and Springs derived their names. His father, Charles 
Revis, had been in the Territory in an early day, and is said to have erected 
the first hotel in Yandalia in 1816. James A. died in 1838, and. with his 
companion and some of his children, was buried on a knoll overlooking the 
Sangamon. The plowshare of the more recent settler has long since made 
deep furrows over their last resting-place, and but few remain to-day who 
can point with any degree of certainty to the spot of their interment. Long 
since, their moldering bodies have passed away, and the earth above them 



662 HISTORY OF M \-"N COUNTY 

has settled in to supply their places. This - to us the sad but certain 

thai awaits all private places of interment. The little mounds recently 
formed iii the old family burying-ground, where the violets and primn 
planted by surviving love, have blossomed but ;i few short years, will, when 
the old homestead -hall have passed into the hands of those who knew qoI 
the loved sleepers, be trodden beneath unhallowed feet, and children's children 
shall look in vain for the graves of their grandsires. 

In 1832, a number of additions were made to the settlement in this section. 
John Yardley and his Bons .lame- ami John, originally from North Carolina, 
hut here direct from Kentucky, came ami stopped a short time in Menard 
County. Boon afterward, they located on Crane Creek. The old gentleman, 
his son John ami his son-in-law. Sol. Norris, after a few years' residence, -old 
out and moved to Texas. All are now numbered with the dead. dame-, 
ami a number of his descendants, are <till citizens of the town-hip. all of whom 
have led upright and honorable lives. The same year, J isiah Cook, from Green 
County, Ky., put in an appearance. He made a -mall beginning in the way 
of an improvement, hut did not move to it. He died, a number of years 
in Menard County. He is represented a- one of those shiftless fellows 
often met with, whose greatest gift was that of talking, ami who moved from 
place to place as circumstances might permit or occasion demand By his death, 
many promises t" pay were canceled. Aboul the same date. James Sutton, 
from .Maryland or Virginia, came to Walker's Grove, lie bought out the 
claim of [lose, who has previously been mentioned. The year following, he 
Bold to dame- Estep, brother to Enoch, and moved t< Havana Town-hip. The 

p family, originally from North Carolina, on leaving that State, firsi 
tied in Tennessee. From there, in an early day. they came t" St. Clair 
County, 111. In the spring of 1820, dame- Estep ami his family came to San- 
gamon ' now Menard ! County. He laid a claim on land now included in the 
city limits of Petersburg. The first claim he gave up to his father. Elijah 
Estep, who came in the following fall or early Bpring of 1821. Elijah I 
huilt the gear horse-mill, full account of which may be found in the history of 
Menard County and Petersburg Precinct, daiie-. after giving up his claim to 
his father, moved across the river and located on what is known as Bakers 
Prairie. Being of a somewhat rambling disposition, he occupied various local- 
ities in the few Succeeding years, but finally came and improved the north half 
of his first claim, and when the market opened entered it. In 1832, he moved 
to Arkansas, but returned in the fall of l s:> >-"'. when he made his purchas 
Walker's Grove, as above stated. Be afterward Bold out, moved to Menard 
County, thence to Southwestern Missouri, but again returned to Mason County. 

He died in l s ">7. on the farm where hi< sun J. M. Este] w resides. Hia 

remains, with those of hi- faithful companion, who had preceded him to the 
spirit-land some two year-, lie interred in New Elope Cemetery, in this town- 
ship. Mr. Estep, unlike most of hi- -on-, wa- not successful ni acquiring 



History of mason county, 603 

property, lie came poor and at no time in life was he possessed of great 
means. He was somewhat eccentric in hi.s habits, he never rented but always 
bought and sold, sometimes more and sometimes less, always being governed by 
his financial ability to meet his promises. A number of his suns, who are 
among the substantial, well-to do farmers of this section, are still residents of 
the township. Harvey Haskins was in and about the grove as early as 1833. 
No very substantial marks of improvement were ever known to have been the 
result of his indefatigable industry. He was one of those to whom the term 
••lived round."' would aptly apply. It is said of him that he was able to 
change his location at almost any time with little or no inconvenience, as by 
walking and carrying the baby, attended by his wife who carried the household 
effects in a "poke," the feat of moving was readily and easily accomplished. 

The year 1834, witnessed the arrival of Henry Sears. He was born near 
Raleigh, N. C, and with his parents came to Kentucky in an early 
day. In 1822, he came to the State of Illinois. He lived in various 
localities, most of the time, however, in Menard and Sangamon. In 
1 834, as stated, he came to Walker's Grove and purchased the improve- 
ment of James Estep. This he sold to James Walker in 1837, and the 
following spring moved to his present place of residence, on Section 17, in 
Crane Creek Township. He is one of the few ancient landmarks yet remain- 
ing. In the forty-one years of his residence in this one place, he has, by legis- 
lative enactment, been made a citizen of Sangamon, then Menard, and finally. 
Mason County, without once changing his location. While the eccentric man- 
ners of the man have contributed, somewhat, to his notoriety among the early 
settlers (and the later ones, too, for that matter), no one can be found who 
would gainsay the veracity of any statement he might make in good faith. 
Seeing the folly of dram-drinking exemplified in the life of his father, he has 
led a life of strict sobriety, and largely to this is, doubtless, due the fine state 
of mental and physical preservation in which we find him to-day. He was a 
member of petit jury for the first term of the Circuit Court ever held in 
Mason County. Not far from his residence was the site of the once famous 
Mount's mill, an institution in its day. and the "pocket distillery," both of 
which are fully described in the general county history. Abner Baxter, from 
Kentucky, settled at the grove soon after the coming of Sears. He remained 
but a year or two before selling out and moving to another portion of the 
county. He was an important factor at a "hoe-down," as he could handle a 
" fiddle " and evoke such sweet strains of music as are wont to charm and edify the 
backwoodsman. He was honored as early as 1S44. with a seat on the Board 
of County Commissioners. The year L836 added Jesse Baker, a brother-in- 
law of Sears, to the settlement. Mr. Baker, at the advanced age of eighty- 
one, is still living, just across the line in Kilbourne Township. He was from 
Tennessee, and was a perfect Nimrod in his day. He has. perhaps, 
brought down more deer than any other citizen of the county, as he is 



664 BIST0R1 OF MASON OOUHTY. 

said to have been an unerring marksman, and to have slain great num- 
bers of them each fall. Alfred Summera came Gram Kentucky and settled 
on the farm dow owaed and occupied by Henry Sears, a short time 
after Baker made his claim. He died in October, 1837, and his death was one 
among the earliest to occur in the adult population of the township. Pass 
backward in our note of time, we find the year l N o"> records the coming of 
Josiab Dobson, John (Muse and his sons, George, John Jr. (or .lack, as be was 
familiarly known), and Turner. These were all from Kentucky, and settled in 
the region of Crane Greek. The old gentleman and his son Turner remained 
citizens of the vicinity in which they settled till the date of their decease. John 
Close, Sr., died a number of years ago. and in buried on the farm now owned 
by the Widow Carter. Turner died in L863, having amassed, during life, con- 
siderable means, much of which has found it- way into the pockets of attor- 
neys rvicee in the litigation of various matters. George, after a 
short term of residence, moved across the Sangamon, and thence to [owa. Jack 
moved to Morgan County, ami. after the loss of his companion, returned and 

located in Havana. Some years later, he took up his residence in Shreveport, 
and has since died. 

In 1837, James Walker, from Dearborn County, End., came and pure 
B l:i i of land in what, at that date, was called Price- Grove, 'nut to 

which we have often referred as Walker's Grove, a name it has borne since the 
date of his coming. Here be lived and reared a family, which has been largely 
identified with the earlier and later interests of the county. He built the first 
frame house in this entire region of the county. The closing bis life 

were spenl as a citizen of Havana, in which city he died at an advanced 
Robert Cavin, from South Carolina, is thought to have settled in the township 
in \^'<1. Of him but little record can be made, as he did not remain long, and 
his place of removal cannot be determined. Charles and John Elaynes, from 
ii Carolina, became citizens <>f Crane ''reek in 1838. They are still 
largely represented in the township. As early as the close of l*-"-'- 1 . Isaac 
Teeters, I md Hiram Walker. I lull' Hines, Henry Norria and Lemuel 

Pelham were settlers here. Teeters came from St. Clair County, and, leasing 

his residence here, moved with his family to Texas. Hiram Walker, after a few 
year-' BOJOUIH, moved to Greene County, 111., where he died some years 
Henry Norris was from Darren County. Ky.. and was the brother of Solomon 
Norris, who was among the Brst Bottlers of the town-hip. Hines was a man 

who made for him8elf little or no reputation, an easy-going fellow, who, at this 

date, but few remember. Lemuel Pelham, however, was of ■ different charac- 
ter. He was a Buckeye by birth, if full credence might be given to his -■ 
men! in regard to his birthplace. He was one of those rare exotics upon 

which, alter the lapse of long intervals, the early >ettlei> were permitted to 

Me was one of those who, to use Uncle Henry- expressive phi 

'■shackled round" from place to place, and. from the various localities m 



HISTORY OF .MASON COUNTY. 665 

which he had lived, and the length of time spent in each locality, Mr. Sears 
thinks, must have been not less than one hundred and fifty years of age at the 
time of his settlement here. Thoroughly wedded to his migratory habits, he 
did not remain long, and no trace of him has been kept by those who once 
knew him since his removal from their midst. He is thought, however, to have 
gone to St. Clair County, where, a number of years ago, he made his final exit 
from terra firma. Asher Scott, from New Jersey, settled about the last-men- 
tioned date, possibly a year earlier, in the northwest corner of the township 
and is still living. His brother Martin accompanied him, but settled across the 
line in what is now Sherman Township. During the year 1840, Charles Veach, 
Elijah Riggin, Ensley Hall and John Fumphelan were added to the population 
of this portion of the county. Veach was from Delaware, and settled where Eli 
C. Cleaveland now lives, lie lost his life, in 1851, by the accidental caving-in 
of a well, which he was engaged in sinking. Riggin was a " Sucker " by birth 
and settled in the northeast corner of the township, where a number of the 
family, in comfortable circumstances, still reside. Ensley Hall came from Ten- 
nessee to Menard County, thence to Mason, and, after one year, again located 
in Menard. Fumphelan. as his name implies, was from " der Faderland." He 
located southeast of where Henry Sears now lives, on land owned by J. H. and 
E. C Cleaveland. He was a quiet, inoffensive, well-meaning Dutchman, who, 
after a few years' residence, moved away, and all further trace of him has been 
lost. 

Rev. John L. Turner, from Kentucky, a minister of the Baptist denomina- 
tion, made a settlement near the present residence of James L. Hawks, in 1840. 
He was a minister of fine ability, and served the county in important offices, as 
the records testify. His death occurred twenty-odd years ago. The same year, 
Samuel C. Conwell came to the grove ; he is a native of Delaware, but was 
reared from early boyhood in Indiana. He was a young man of prepossessing 
appearance, and, as the cut of his garments and style of manners differed mate- 
rially from those of the pioneers by whom he was surrounded, and with whom 
he was in almost daily contact, he soon discovered that he was growing into general 
disfavor. Coonskin caps, buckskin breeches and moccasins was the ordi- 
nary apparel, at that day, among the early settlers. Con's dress indicated a 
more advanced stage of civilization and refinement, and he soon acquired to 

himself the distinction of "thai d d Yankee,"' throughout the settlement. 

He was here as the agent of some fine stock, the property of his brothers-in- 
law, and a sharp trade or two served to bring him prominently before the brist- 
ling bar of justice. In no instance, however, was he convicted on the eharges 
preferred, the failure of which led Jesse Baker to exclaim, " It is not worth our 
while to bother longer with this Jerusalem over-taker, since we cannot convict him 
of anything." " Con " says a residence of forty years among this people has 
not served to make him Governor, simply on account of the bad impression he 
made in an early day. His connection and prominence as the first man in the 



HI8T0RY OF M 180N COUNTY. 

county to introduce improved agricultural implements, has been fully noticed in 
the general county history. 

The years 1MI !_' brought in Henry Seymour, James H. and J 
Norris, George Hall, Christian, Trueman and Harvey Stone. The N 
were from Kentucky, and Bettled near the north line of the township. -T« »>«.*] >h 
number of ye where he soon after died. Hall 

purchased the James Walker farm at the grove, where he -till resides. The 
Stones were from the Buckeye State. Christian and Trueman were brotl 
while Harvey was their uncle. The latter, after a few years, wenl back to 
Ohio; Christian moved t" Iowa, and from there to Missouri,: Trueman is still 
a resident of the township. Henry Seymour was from Germany, and 'lied in 
th<- vicinity in which he settled, a number of years _ Samuel Neely, with' 
hi.- Bons, William, John, G id James, came from Tennessee and -ruled 

in this section in 184 t— 45. Two or three of the families are still living i 
Harvej B. Hawthorne was here in L846; he was born in Kentucky and 
S tch descent. Thename originated during the war between th< 3 
which was continued through a period of more than one hundred years. The 

-. when vanquished on the plains and in the vail ght their invaders 

from the hawthorn brush and groves, within the mountain fastnesses, and from 
these circumstances, the name of the Bhrub passed to that of a family. Mr. 

Hawthorne is -till a citizen, and has been very successful in his various enter- 
prises. The same year, a number of the Tomlins settled in the northeasl cor- 
ner of the township, many of whom still reside there A- early as L850, 
Allen Robinson ami James L. Hawks became denizens of Crane Creek. Rob- 
inson was from New Jersey, and came to Menard in 1846. In 1849, he settled 
in Walker's Grove, on the farm once owned by Solomon Norris; here heat 
ent resides in affluent circumstances. Hawks was from Kentucky, and has 
been a continuous residenl since his first settlement. Upon the formation of 
the township, he was chosen to the office of Supervisor, a position in which he 
has served Ins fellow-citizens twelve or thirteen years. Elisha T. Davenport 

Came from Kentucky to what i< now Ma-mi County, in 1831, hut did not 

become a citizen of ( Irane Creek Township prior to 1849 ; he residi 5 :tion 

!•. and is one of the -uh-tantial. well-to-do tanners of this section. Others 

there are. doubtless, who were settlers in this division of the county as earlj as 

0, and whose names, in justice to all. should be mentioned; but that 

omissions will of necessity occur, we confidently believe, will he readily granted 

by any one who will undertake to trace the early history of a township in which 

the settlements began as early as those in Crane Creek. Having taken this 
somewhat hasty glance at its early settlement, we next pass t" notice some other 

matter- of interest connected with it- his tor v. 



BISTORT OF MASON COUNTY. 667 

walker's GROVE. 

This grove, to which such frequent reference has already been made, was 
the nucleus around and in which all the earliest settlements were made. It 
was known as Price's Grove prior to the purchase of James Walker, in 1837, 
since which date it has been called by its. present name. The grove proper 
embraces an area of not more than four hundred acres, and, in an early day, was 
as fine a body of timber as could be found in the county. A fine growth of 
the oak family, black walnut, soft and sugar maple, hickory, both shell-bark 
and smooth-bark, white walnut or butternut, mulberry ; and of shrubbery, the 
red bud, papaw, dogwood, and many other varieties were found here. Bui 
little that is valuable, except for purposes of fencing and firewood, remains 
to-day. Most of those who erected their log cabins near this spot, in the days 
of its early settlement, have long since crossed over the still waters, and have 
been succeeded by a class of unpretending citizens, that for industry, intelli- 
gence and moral worth will compare favorably with any portion of the county 
or State. While the present inhabitants are eager for the daily papers, lest 
their interests may be affected by the " spring " or " decline " in the " hog 
market," the pioneers were content with mails once a week, or less frequently 
during bad weather or high water. Amid the difficulties and discouragements by 
which they were often surrounded, they had their social enjoyments, as those 
who have listened to their animated discussions of the respective merits of 
"gourd-seed" and "Hint" corn, or the prominent poiats of a favorite " coon 
dog," can abundantly testify. In and around this point were the beginnings 
of those enterprises which in their nature tend to the permanent establishment 
and development of society, and which are handmaidens in the onward march 
of civilization. We refer to churches and schools. " The groves were God's 
first temples," and here in nature's sanctuary, where the breezes came laden 
with ^he perfumes of a thousand flowers, early meetings were held. Rev. 
Thomas Plasters was the first to lift up the Gospel banner in this section. He 
was here as early as 1834, and belonged to that order of worshipers known in 
the West as ••Hardshell Baptists," or, as they are otherwise called, the 
-• Forty-gallon Baptists." His preaching was somewhat after the style of 
the famous " Come, Buck-ah " sermon, recorded in the " Hoosier Schoolmaster." 
He had " the see-sawing gestures, the nasal resonance, thesnifHe and melancholy 

• 

minor key." which seems to be for an everlasting inheritance to his reverend 
brethren. And in addition to all these. a< he warmed with his discourse, he had 
a habit of tugging vigorously first at one ear and then at the other, by way of 
lending emphasis and solemnity to his remarks. Still it was enjoyed by those 
early settlers who had been for some time without the privileges of the church. 
He discoursed many times at the residence of dames A. Etevis, in the southern 
part of the township. Rev. John L. Turner, who came in 1840, and of whom 
mention has already been made, was an early minister in the Baptist < 'lmrches 



668 HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

of this Bection. Rev. Abraham Bale, who shouhl have been classed among 
the Bottlers of 1842-43, was a minister in the same connection. He settled 
on the larm where George Thomas now lives, and was the second resi- 
lient minister in the township. He bnilt what is known as Bale's Mill, in 
Menard County, and which passed from his hands to those of his brother, 
Jacob, hut is at present owned by a son of Abraham Hale. Rev. Ross, a 
radical Methodist minister, preached at the residence of Solomon Norris, in 
quite an early day. Of the Methodist Bpisoopal Church, Revs. William Coder, 
Wallace and Moreland were among the earliest. A church was built a numher 
of years ago, near the site of New Hope barying-ground, in Walker's Gi 
but was destroyed by lire just about the time of its completion, and before 

had ever been held in it. The house was never rebuilt. Another was 
erected in the Sandridge timber, about the year L859, hut its use has been 
discontinued for some year-, and the building is fast going to rack. Both of 
these houses were the property of the Baptist brethren, and the latter is the 
only public house of worship in the township. 

EARLY POST 01 11' l.. - Iokks. -< lloni.s. i.n . 

A post "Hire called Walker's Grove Post Office was established at the house 

of dames Walker, in 1839. It was on the mail route from Springfield to 
Havana. .lame- Walker was the first Postmaster. After a period of about 

eighteen months, it was moved across the river into Menard County. An office 

was established at the grove, at a later date, and was there in 1864, at which 

time William War sk, Jr., now of Mason City, "n< Postmaster, dark <'h><e. 

who afterward occupied rather a prominent place among the earlj merchant 
Havana, had a small country store in the township as early as 1841. This 
was doubtless the first attempt made at merchandising in this Bection. Not long 
after Close began playing merchant, William Walker opened a small stock of 
dry goods and groceries at the _ r i"ve. For Beveral year-, a -mail establishment 
was kept here by different parties, that of William Warnock, Jr., and his mole 
being aboul the last. Then' is do Btore in the township at present : those at 
Kilbourne, Gaston and Mason City, are. however, easily accessible to the citi- 
zen- (1 f ('lane Creek. The first Bchoolhouse built in the township, was on land 
belonging to Henry Sears, and was built in 1836. It was rather a rude affair. 

put up by those in the neighborhood for the benefit of their children. It drew 
patronage from a large extent of country. William Lease kept the first school 
and was paid for his services by individual subscription. James Buckner, M. 
I»., was from Kentucky and came to this part of the county in L889. He wi- 
the lirst physician <to locate, ami stopped for a time at the residence of John 
Yardhy. He is said to have been a well-read and Buccessfal practitioner. The 
prevailing diseases were bilious ami lung fever with an ocecuional case of chills. 
Dr. Buckner lived a number of years on rented land in Walker's Grove, and 
then moved to Petersburg. \\\< last place of residence was near I'd tington, 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 669 

in McLean County, where he died some years ago. Of him Uncle Henry 
Sears says: " He was a poor man, but every inch a gentleman." Dr. John 
Morgan was here early, but did not remain long. He had the gift of gab well 
developed, but his knowledge of medicine was looked upon as being somewhat 
superficial. He returned to New Orleans whence he came, and has for a num- 
ber of years pasl been a resident of Texas. The milling for the earliest settlers was 
done on the Mackinaw, and at Broadwell's, on the Sangamon. Later, it was 
obtained at Simmonds' and McIIarry's on the Quiver, and, after the building of 
the Bales' mill, they, for the most part, went to it. 

FIRST DEATH, BIRTH AND MARRIAGE. 

Two children of the family of Alexander Revis, died in 1833, and are sup- 
posed to be the first deaths that occurred among the early settlers. The father 
and mother followed them some years later, and were laid to rest beside their 
sleeping little ones near what is known as Revis Springs. But few, if any, are 
now living who can point out the exact spot where the mortal remains of most of 
this pioneer family lie buried. The first wedding to occur in the township, so 
far as we have been able to ascertain, was that of John Mounts and Jane Summers. 
This happy event, by which two hearts were made to beat as one, transpired in 
1830. No doubt John could exclaim with the poet (slightly varied-. 

" I would, were she always thus nigh, 

Have nothing to wish or to fear, 
No mortal mi happy as I. 

My Summers would last all the year." 

To the squaw wife of James Price is accorded the honor of becoming the 
mother of the first child born in what is now Crane Creek Township. If liv- 
ing, he has been reared among the kinsmen of his mother in the Far West, and 
may, for aught we know, even now be quietly surveying the situation, from the 
camp of Sitting Bull, preparatory to spreading consternation throughout our 
Western frontier settlements. 

Among the early Justices of the Peace, the names of Ira Patterson, Henry 
Norris and Robert Turner occur. Patterson and Norris were officers when 
this was yet included in the limits of Menard County. Turner was perhaps 
the first after the organization of Mason County. Patterson, after filling this 
and offices of minor importance for some years, went West to grow up witlt 
the country. And that lie did grow well is attested by the fact that, a num- 
ber of years ago, he was chosen to the important position of Governor of 
Oregon. The first deed to a piece of land that Henry Sears ever had made, 
was drafted by the late martyred President. Abraham Lincoln. In the good 
old days of Whigs and Democrats, this section was Democratic, and. since the 
organization of the Republican party, the township has continued to march 
under the same banner. The scarcity of money in the days of the early set- 
tlers was a great source of annoyance, and vet. any one with a liberal amount 



670 BI8TOBY OF MASON '"UNIV. 

of industry could easily supply himself with an article which, for purpose 
barter and exchange, was in as high favor as the "dollar of our daddies" of 
to-day. Coons were plentiful, and a good coon->kin was taken by the mer- 
chant in exchange for goods a> readily as the value of it in cash would have 
been taken. J. M. Bstep -ays that the first pair of boots he ever had he 
purchased of 0. M. Ross, in Havana, in l*.\-t>, and paid the entire cost in 
coon-skins. That the early settler would sometimes tax his ingenuity and 
exercise his physical frame in an unusual manner in order to obtain a little of 
the " O-be-joyful," is evinced by the following incident: William Sunn 

who was fond of his '"toddy." but who was often without the ••wherewithal" 

necessary to obtain it. laid a wager on a certain occasion, thai he could gallop, 
horse-fashion, on his hands and feet one-quarter of a mile within a given 
length of time. The feal was accomplished, and Summers, having obtained his 
quart of "old rye." remarked to his friend Jesse Baker, "• We can cntrive 

many ways in order to obtain our whisky, rather than to pay cash." 
second apple orchard planted in the county was in this township, near Crane 

k. The trees were obtained from the Gardner Nursery in Fulton County, 
which was established in 1824. The trees reared here from th< emed 

admirably adapted to the climate and soil, and at an early age bore well. The 
fruit, generally Bpeaking, was remarkable for keeping well for long per 
It was not generally of the largest size, but good in quality and variety. The 
township most probably took it- name from the great number- of sand-hill 
crane- that were found here in an early day. The evidence, however, on this 

point, is by do means conclusive. And thus having traced its history as 
we have been able, guided by an earnesl desire to place it properly on record. 
we part company with the Bettler of 1829 ami those that have succeeded 
him, but not without regret. 



SHERMAN TOWNSHIP. 

When, in L862, in accordance with a vote of the citizens adopting town- 
ship organization, the county of MaEOD was divided into eleven townships. 
Sherman had no part or lot in the matter. The voting-places of us citi 

were Havana City, and iii the eastern portion of Pennsylvania Town- 

ship. The distance to be traveled and the difficulty experienced in reaching 

them, often deterred them fr mi exercising this most inestimable right of the 

American citisen. In September. l s >>''.. a petition was presented to the Hoard 

of Supervisors, praying that a new township by the nana' of Jackson might be 

ted out of portion- of Havana, Pennsylvania and olason Plain- (now 

i r mature deliberation, the prayer of the peti- 

tioners was granted. Though the name by which it hail been christened was 

one which the American people bad twice honored with the highest gift in their 
power to bestow, and was calculated to perpetuate the memory of the hero of 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. to I 

New Orleans, yet a greater in military exploits than he had arisen. Sherman, 
who, at the head of his noble and victorious army, had " marched down to the 
aea," and by his successful warfare, waged in behalf of his country, had 
endeared himself to every true patriot heart, was a name well-pleasing to many 
of its citizens. At the January meeting of the Board, in 1867, upon motion, 
the name Jackson was stricken out, and that of Sherman substituted. It is 
designated as Town 21 north, Range 7 west of the Third Principal Meridian, 
and comprises thirty-six sections — a Congressional Township. The woodland 
districts are of a very limited extent. Excepting a small grove in the northeasl 
corner, known as Crane Marsh timber, and the outskirts of Bull's Eye Prairie 
timber, along the western edge, the entire township is prairie. A county ditch, 
finding an outlet through Crane Creek, crosses the southeastern corner, and, 
with its tributaries, affords drainage to an extended scope of its territory. The 
C., H. & W. R. R. (formerly known as the Havana extension of the Indianap- 
olis, Bloomington & Western) crosses its southern portion, the length of line 
through the township being about seven miles. 

The geographical position of Sherman is south of Quiver and Forest City 
Townships, west of Pennsylvania, north of Crane Creek, and east of Havana. 
As an agricultural district, at present it ranks lower than any other township in 
the county. This is owing to the large amount of wet, swampy land included 
within its limits. Fully three fourths of its entire area was comprised in that 
portion of the county known, a few years ago, as "swamp-lands." Many of 
its broad acres were at one time held by the Government at the small sum of 
25 cents per acre, and even this mere pittance it failed to realize. These low- 
lands, when effectually drained, have proved to be very productive, and the 
township, by a thorough system of artificial drainage, may be made to com- 
pare favorably with other portions of the county in its annual products. With 
this glance at its topographic features, we come at once to a notice of its 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first improvement made in what is now Sherman Township was that of 
Thomas K. Falkner. The family, originally from the Empire State, had set- 
tled in Dearborn County, I ml., in L815. In 1830. Thomas, then a married 
man. moved to Madison County, and settled on the bank of White River. 
Eiglit years later, he removed to Illinois, and entered lands in Section 7. Towd 
■1\ north. Range 7 west of the Third Principal Meridian, then Tazewell, now 
Mason County. He built a log cabin, and. on the opening of spring, began to 
break prairie. After a residence of ten or twelve years, he sold out to Henry 
Cease and moved into Salt Creek, where, in L865, he died. In the summer of 
L839, Mahlon Hibbs and his sons, William and Eli, together with his son-in- 
law, John Hampton, came from Columbia County, Penn., and settled on the 
same section. Mahlon IliKhs settled on the southeast quarter, made an improve- 
ment, and died the fall alter coming. William Ilibbs entered land on the 



672 B1ST0EY OP M ISOK I OUNTY 

northwest quarter, improved it. and, after a residence six or eight years, 

traded it for mill property in Island Grove, Sangamon County. From there 
lie removed to Missouri, and, a few years Bince, to Kansas, in which State he 
nt preseni resides. John Opp is the owner, ;it present, of the land he entered. 
Eli Bibbs made his farm on the northeast quarter, lived there Bome years, and 
then moved to the form entered by his father, where he still lives. John 
Bampton located west of hie father-in-law, and lived "ii the farm he entered 
and improved till October, 1878, when he moved to Shelby County, Mo., 
where, ;;t last accounts, he was -till living. About two weeks subsequent to 
the arrival of the Bibbses and Bampton, Mrs. Catharine Dentler and family 
came from Northumberland County, Penn., and Bettled on Section l v . south of 
the settlements ^already mentioned. She moved to Nebraska seven or e 
years ago, and died there in the winter of l v 7 s . Solomon Dentler, a young 
man, nephew of Mrs. Dentler. came with the family. Be entered eighty acres 
on Section 20, but did not improve it. In the fall of L839, he returned I 
and, having traded bis land to Benry Cease, * 1 1 « 1 not again come West. The 
Bottlers already mentioned comprised the entire citizenship of this section prior 
to 1844. Wesl of their location, toward the town of Havana, there were seven 
or eight families along the border of the woods, to wit, ('oiler. McReynolds, 
Roberl Falkner, Kli.Fisk. Brown, Fessler, and a few others. These constituted 
the inhabitants in the first thirty miles or more east of Havana. Nearly the 
whole country was a vast, unbroken prairie, over which roamed at pleasure 
herds of 'leer and wolves. Mr. John R. Falkner relates that, in the 
spring of l$40, he, with two others, counted on Bull's Eye Prairie fifty- 
nine deer in one herd, and forty-two in another, all in Bight at the - 

time. .lames !1. ChaSC Was the next in order in the township. lie came 
from Pennsylvania to Hamilton County. 111., in 1839, ami from there to 
Ma-.. n in 1844. Bis improvement was made on the northwest quarter of S 

tion 8, where he remained till the date of his decca-e. an event which occurred 

some year- ago. Joseph Lehr settled in the northwesl corner of the township 
in 1845. Be purchased two acre- of William Bibbs for a building-site, on 

which In- erected a cabin. Hi' laid a claim on Section 6, which he improved 

and owned t<> the date of his death. Lehr came from the Uuckeve State, hut 

was a native of Pennsylvania. He moved to Wabash County and lived one 

year, thence to Wisconsin and remained -uic year, finally returning to Havana. 

where, a few years ago, he did. Among the Hal of settlers as early as L848— 49, 

we find the name- of Henry Cease, John I'dakely. William and John Alexander 

and Charles Trotter. < '• from the Keystone State, and was the fore- 

■ 

runner of a large number from the same Section that settled, at an early date. 

in what i- ie>w Pennsylvania Township. He purchased the improvement of 
Thomas K Falkner, and, a few years later, moved farther east into the township, 

on laud nOW owned and occupied hv .1. II. Kellertnan. lie moved to Mi-.-oiiri 

a few y< . ami at present resides there. Blakely and the Alexander- 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 675 

were from Ohio, and settled cast of those already mentioned. Blakely contin- 
ued a citizen till the date of his decease. The Alexanders first settled in 
Havana Township, hut came, as above stated, to Sherman. William located 
near the edge of Crane Creek timber, and, several years ago, went to Missouri. 
John sold out some three or four years after coming, and returned to Ohio. 
Charles Trotter was an Englishman by birth, and came to this section from the 
Bay State. Peter Morgenstern now owns and occupies the farm he improved. 
He remained in the township but a few years, then moved to Beardstown, Cass 
County, where, some years later, he died. About the time of the last mentioned 
date. Mrs. M. B. Devon port and family, consisting of her sons Henry, Lewis. 
William, Joseph and Marshall, settled in the southern part of the township, 
about one mile southeast of the present village of Easton. Her husband, Mar- 
shall B. Devenport, commonly known as Booker, came from Kentucky to Illi- 
nois in 1832, and died in what is now Salt Creek Township in 1840. Joseph 
died here a number of years ago. Henry is still a resident of this part, while 
Eli T. resides across the line, in Crane Creek. Marshall Devenport took up 
his residence in the Golden State some years since, and, when last heard from, 
was living. Passing down through the years 184!> and 1850, we find the names 
of Samuel Adkins, Granville Cheny, Vincent Singleton and Alexander Holler. 
These all settled in the southwest corner of the township, on what is known as 
Bull's Eye Prairie. Adkins and Holler were from Tennessee, Cheny from 
Tennessee or Kentucky, and Singleton probably from the State last mentioned. 
Adkins settled in the northwest corner of Bull's Eye, and, after three or four 
unsuccessful attempts at farming, sold out to Henry Cease, lived in different 
parts of the township until five or six years ago, when he went west to Kansas. 
Cheny located on the north edge of the prairie, but finally moved to De Witt 
County, where, quite recently, he lost his life by accident. Singleton remained 
a lew years, moved to Salt Creek, thence to Mason City, of which he is at 
present a citizen. Alexander Holler' lived in the township but a short time, 
moved into Havana Township, and died a number of years ago. William <i. 
Stone, now a resident of Havana, was a citizen of Sherman as early as L850. 
Stone was originally from New Jersey, but came from Pennsylvania to Mason 
County. John Spellman and Amos Heater came in 1851, and were both Penn- 
svlvanians. 1 1 eater settled on Section 9, and resides on the farm originally 
entered and improved. Spellman lived only two weeks after completing his 
house and moving into it. Bis widow, since married, is still a citizen of the 
township. His sons, Henry and George, went west to Nebraska some years 
since. William entered the army in the early part of the war. He was, 
doubtless, an ardent admirer of the sentiment expressed in the couplet, 

•• Mr that fights, and runs away, 
M ms live to fight another day," 

for, after the first engagement, he ingloriously deserted, and was seen among his 
comrades no more. He is supposed to have died some years since, though this 



67 i HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

finitely known. II. ESlderbush settled in the Crane Marsh 

timber about 1852 or l s -~>o: the exact date of his coming cannot now be as 
tained. James M. Sama< f Sherman's most prosperous citizens, located 

on the northwest corner of Section 86, where he -till resides. The family. 
originally from the Old Dominion, had emigrated to Kentucky in 1815, and 
settled near Hopkinsville when that thriving city was a small village of not 
more than one hundred inhabitants. In the spring of 1835, his lather. Andrew 
Samuels, Illinois, and first settled in Morgan County. Ten j 

afterward, he settled in what is now Bath Township, M >unty, on the 

farm now occupied by his youngest son. The remains of himself and wil 
entombed in the cemetery at Bath. When James M. settled hen- twenty-four 
i, there were none living east of him in the township, and, with the 

ption of Mrs. Devenport and family, none south before reaching th< 
tiers in Crane Creek. To one visiting his pleasant i :upying a< it 

one of the most eligible Bites in the entire township, the matter of wond< 
that a location so desirable should have been left unoccupied t<> so late a date, 
while others, far less so, had been occupied and improved fifteen or tw 

- earlier. His connection with the village of ESaston will lie given in the 
history of that village. Jacob Kissler and family, consisting ol Mark A.. Will- 
iam. James, Thomas, Charles, John and tin- laughters, came from Washing- 
ton County, Penn., and first Btopped in Havana. In 1859, they came t<> the 
township, and. with the exception of Thomas, an' enterprising citizens to-day. 
Thomas returned to Pennsylvania not long after coming. There are of 
doubtless, whose names are worthy of mention as being among the early set 
of this section, hut who-.' time of coming and date of settlement cannot be 
accurately given. 

PRADINO-POINTS, MILLING, ETC. 

What Chicago is to Illinois and the West, Havana was to the early -eiders 
..f Ma-. in County — the point to which all their produce must he brought to find 

Bale and shipment, and in which they obtained their dry g Is ami groceries. II zs 

were Bometimes driven to Beardstowo and slaughtered, as. at one time, it 
enjoyed the distinction of being the " Porkopolis" of the entire region. Meal 
wa- obtainable in limited quantities al Mount's mill, on Crane Creek, but, 
when Hour was to be procured, they were obliged to make the journey to Wood- 
row's or Kinmaii's mill, on Mackinaw, or to Wentworth's, on Otter Creek, in 
Fulton County. The former, though more distant, were generally preferred on 

. mr of tin 1 scarcity of the u needful "to pay the toll at R iss' Ferry .now 

Havana' which V< ut- the round tri]>. It wa- by m> mean- an unusual 

occurrence to consume four or five days in making the journey hack and forth 
to mill, the length of time being govern what by the period one might 

quired to wait for his u r ii-t to be ground. The mills of Simmonds and 
McHarrv, on Quiver, built at a later date, brought almost to their doors con- 
veniences which the early settl< ly dared dream of, much lees expect in 



HIST0R1 OF MASON I OONTY. 67 I 

their own day and generation. All mail matter was received at Havana. 
There waa never a mill built or a post office established within her borders until 
since the advent of railroads through this part of 1 1 1 < - county. They enjoyed 
the distinction of having a blacksmith-shop convenient to them at quite an early 
day. Martin Scott opened a shop just across the line, in Havana Township, as 
early as L843 or l s l 1. Eli Hibbs built a shop in 1848, the first in the town- 
ship, and has worked at his trade more or less every year since. 

Before the building of schoolhouses, the " school marm " was abroad in the 
land. Miss Eliza 1 'cutler was the first to instruct the youthful Suckers in this 
part of the county. The school was kept at the residence of her mother. She 
was regarded as a first-class teacher at the time, though it is probable that her 
literary attainments would fail to secure for her an appointment in most of our 
city schools of to-day. The first schoolhouse built in the township was designed 
to be located on the southeast comer of Section 8, on land belonging to James 
II. Chase. Upon a more accurate survey, it was found, however, to be on Sec-' 
tion 9, on the land of Amos Heater. The building was erected in lsdiJ-47, 
and Abe Millerson presided over the destinies of the first school. At present, 
the township has seven good school buildings and makes ample provision for the 
education of all her youth. The circuit-rider, who came to proclaim messages 
of divine love, followed early in the wake of the first settlers. Rev. Michael 
Shank was. perhaps, the first through this section. Revs. Morelandand Hardin 
Wallace were here in an early day. Moreland was a man remembered for his 
more than ordinary ability in the pulpit, while Wallace was a young man noted 
for his fine singing. Of the latter, it is said he could open services, deliver his 
sermon, and close the exercises all inside of twenty minutes, especially when a 
few handsome young ladies were in his audience. Moreland was sent from his 
charge here to Purgatory Swamp, a name suggestive of the fact that all his 
eloquence and persuasive powers would be needed to reclaim its inhabitants. 
A small frame church, the only one in the township outside of the village of 
Easton, was erected by the German Evangelical Society in 1855 or 1856. 
Amos Heater and wife, John Shinglemeyer and family, Jacob Shinglemeyer 
and family, Henry Mehlhop. P. Morgenstem and others were among the early 
communicants. The first practitioner of the healing art was William Coder, 
who had settled in the eastern part of Havana Township in 1838. lie was a 
minister of some reputation as well as a physician, and sought by his labors to 
heal spiritual as well as physical infirmities. Dr. Allen, from Indiana, was a 
man of fine abilities, and was also here at quite tin early date. 

FIRST BIRTHS, DEATH AND MARRIAGE. 

Elizabeth Hampton, daughter of John Hampton, horn January 24, 1840, 
and Mahlon Hibbs, son of Eli Hibbs, born May 8, 1840, were the first births 
to occur in the township. Hamilton's daughter attained to womanhood - 

and was living a short time ago. Hibbs' son died at the age of nine months. 



678 HISTORY OF MASON OOUNTY. 

The first 'loath to occur was that of Mr-. Fhomafl K. Falkner, who-.- death 
took place in May. 1- I 3hi baried at the then recently established 

burying-ground on the farm of Robert McReynolds. The first interment in 
the cemetery was that of Grandma Pessler in L888. The honor of the lirst 
iredding in this section belongs cither to John BfcReynolds and Catharine 
Dentler, or to Alfred Bowel] and Blisa Falkner, but which . do one 

living here, at present, is able to assert with positive assurance. Their example, 
in that respect ;it least, has been followed by many others of latei The 

war record of Sherman is alike creditable to herself ami the county of which 
<he ia a part. The patriotism of her citizen- was equal t<» the demands of her 
country upon herat nil times. All calls were promptly filled, and she furnished 
men even in excess of her quota. At one time, the Republican party waa in 
the ascendancy, hut gradually the scales turned, ami. for the past few years, 
the Democratic party has carried the day. M. 11. Lewi- waa the first Super- 
visor of the township. Alfred Athey guards her interests at present, and has 
held the office by successive re-elections for Beveral term-. 

Ill i : \ II. I. IlQE OB BASTON. 

This village is situated od tie- <'.. II. ,v \V. IJ It. about midway between 
Havana and Mason City. It ia very near the geographical center of the county, 
and from thi- fad it is thought by many that should the question of the removal 
of the -eat of justice again come before the people of the county, a 1 
would be (lolled iii favor of Baston. The town site waa surveyed and platted by 
John R. Falkner for James M. Samuels, in 1 S 7J. The original plat contained 
about twenty acre-, to which an addition has since been made on the north and 
Edward l>. Ten-ell began the construction of the first building in the 
village, in the latter part of November, 1872, hut did not get it completed ami 

ready for occupancy until the 1st of March. 1878. He then opened out a 

stock of genera] merchandise and has since continued one of the leading mer- 
chants of the village. I Heboid Farrer, in the meantime, erected a -mall buil 
and feeling that the enterprise needed tpirii to make it a complete success, rolled 
in a few barrels and opened oul a saloon. He is >■ | esent a citizen of the 
village, engaged in the -ale of dry goods and groceries. Henr i built 

the lir-t private residence in the village during the Bummer of l s 7-">. I 
quite ample, designed for a boarding-house, and is oow owned and operated by 
Charles C. Dorrell as the Baston House. A drug -'ore. in name, was started 
m the summer of l s TI. by David Carter, but was in fact little less than a 
ery, the life of which was somewhat ephemeral. James M. 
lela built a blacksmith-shop during ihe summer of L878, and was the first 
' hi- hell ng in the village. \ fine tteam elevator, costing $7,000, 

built by Low, McFadden & Simmon-, in 1^7 1 A large amount of grain 

jhipped annually from this point, the territory from which it " dra 
extending north two-thirds of the way to Forest <'ity and south to the mcuth 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 679 

of Crane Creek on the Sangamon bottom. Low & Foster, of Havana, are at 
present engaged in handling grain at this point. A neat frame school building, 
costing $-3,000, was put up in 1877, and is an ornament to the village. A sub- 
stantial frame chinch, free to all denominations, is now in process of construc- 
tion, which, when completed, will cost about $2,000. The post office was estab- 
lished in 1873, and E. D. Terrell was the first Postmaster. The first physician 
to locate was Dr. C. \V. Houghton, formerly of Newmanville, Cass County. 
Dr. L. T. Magill, a promising young physician, formed a copartnership with 
him in 1876, and these two are the representatives of the medical fraternity in 
the village to-day. Easton was laid out and recorded by the name of Sherman- 
ville, but when a petition was sent to the Post Office Department asking for the 
establishment of an office by the name of Sherman, owing to the fact that an 
office of the same name already existed in Sangamon County, the petition could 
not be granted. After various names had been proposed, Mr. Samuels, as proprie- 
tor of the village, requested O. C. Easton, Postmaster at Havana, to aid in procur- 
ing the establishment of an office and granted him the privilege of naming it. 
Easton elected to name it for himself. Soon after the post office was established, 
the name of the village was changed to correspond, though it stands recorded 
to-day as Shermanville. No public sale of lots was ever held, the proprietor 
preferring to superintend largely the interests of the village himself, and to 
introduce that class of citizens which gave promise of thrift and enterprise. It 
is doubtless owing to this, that so few of that objectionable class found in most 
small villages are to be met with here. It has two general stores, two drug 
stores, one hardware and two smith shops, a boot and shoe shop, one saloon, 
one hotel and a citizenship of about one hundred. Situated as it is in the 
midst of the finest agricultural district of the county, it may yet, at no very 
distant day, grow to rival the more important towns of the county. 

Briggs' Station, three miles west of Easton on the same line of railroad. 
was laid out in April, 1875, but with the exception of a residence, a small store- 
room, in which is kept a general store, and a small building for the handling of 
grain, all owned and operated by Paul G. Briggs, the proprietor, no other 
improvement marks the site. A post office was established here in 1877, 
which is a matter of some convenience to the immediate neighborhood. Poplar 
City, laid out by Martin Scott in 1873, on the extreme west line of the town- 
ship, has failed to rise into a village of any importance. In its palmiest days, 
its population did not exceed twenty-five souls, and recently it seems to have 
entered upon a decline. Some grain is shipped from this point. A post office 
at one time exeisted here, hut latterly has been discontinued. 



FTI8T0RY OP M ISON COUNTY. 



PENNSYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. 

Od the 27th of Octol . there arrived apon the coast of Delaware 

m man whose life and character have been handed down from generation 

eneration as worthy of emulation and imitation. He waa noted not only 
for the purity and rectitude of his life, but also for bis integrity of pur] 
toward his own countrymen, as well as toward the uncouth and barbarous sav- 
age, whose happy hunting-grounds he came to reclaim from their native wild- 
ness and transform in it and growing province. He • the pro- 

prietor • f a vast landed estate, and Boon had the satisfaction of gathering 
around him a large colony that was peaceful, prosperous and happy, ah 
beyond example. He waa al once governor, magistrate, preacher, teacher and 
laborer. The early prosperity and rapid development of the Qua! 
was largely owing to the pacific principles adopted in the beginning, and firmly 
adhered to by its founder and father, William Penn. To the descendant 
its early Bottlers, the section of Mason C< unty o$ which we are about to write 
is indebted for its earliest citizens. 

Pennsylvania Township is designated as Town 21 north, Range 6 wes 
the Third Principal Meridian, and i> bounded on the north b; and 

Manito Townships jouth and west, respectively, by Allen's Grove, Salt 

k and Sherman Townships. It contains thirty-six full sections, and is 
one of the two townships <>f .Mason County thai exactly coincide with the 
Congressional survey. Throughout its entire extent it is prairie land. The 
southern half of the township is rather elevated, while the northern half is low 
and level. A county ditch crosses the northern portion, through which much 
of the surface-water of the adjacent 1 nd finds an nutlet. The C, H. & W. 
I!. 1!. crossea the southwestern corner of the township, its extent from point of 
entrance to exit being about four miles. Teheran, a Btation on the road, is 
located on Section 32, and is the only village in the township. 

I [RST -I.I I LEMBNT. 

While permanent ots did oot begin to l»e made, prior to the year 

hi! 1 , in this township, still, as early as the fall of 1844, one adventurous spirit 
was found within its limits. Ambrose Edwards, from Kentucky, made a squat- 
improvement in what was Red Oak G at the date above mentioned. 
He was the first to erect bis log cabin and begin the cultivation of the soil. 
The grove in which he located was near the center of the township, bul has 
long Bince faded from view. It was of small extent, perhaps one milein length 
by one halt* in width, and was consumed by the earliesl settler- while most of it 
was held by pre-emption right by non r Francis Dorrell, who 
had been a resident of the State sii . came from Sangamon County and 
settled on Section 81, in L849. His was doubtless the Becond improvement in 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

die township. His widow is still a resident. When he settled, Dpi a human 
habitation wag visible on the north, east or west. Stretching away in the dis- 
tance, visions were sometimes caught, at sunset, .it' the village of Delavan, 
twenty-five miles away. Near the same date, William Briggs settled a short 
distance from where the village of Teheran now stands, bul wheme he came or 
whither he went. no one at present living there is able to say. 

Peter Speice, from Ohio, came early in ]t<-~>iK and Located on Section 20, 
ami was shortly afterward followed by George Sweigert, his father-in-law, who 
settled in the same locality. They both made improvements, and. after a few 

-' residence, sold out and moved to Mackinaw in Tazewell County. A 
or two later, quite an influx of population was added to the citizenship of this 
section from the Keystone State. The settlement became so large in a few- 
years, and the additions made were 80 uniformly from the same section of coun- 
try, to the exclusion of almost all others, that it early acquired the distinction 
of Pennsylvania Settlement, a name yet in use to designate a certain portion 
of the township. In the fall of 1848, Henry Cease, from Luzerne County, 
Penn., came and stopped ;t short time in Havana, lie soon purchased a farm 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the spring and summer of 1851, 
Joseph and Abraham Cease, Jimison H. Wandel, John W. Pugh and Benedict 
Eadsall all came in from the same section of country. The Ceases were men 
of family, while Wandel, Pugh and ITadsall were single men. All were in 
what is now Havana Township a short time. In December, 1 S ~>1. Henry 
Cease, J. H. Wandel and Abraham (.'ease went east across Crane Marsh to 
explore the country, and, on reaching Section 22, in wdiat is now Pennsylvania 
Township, determined to locate and begin the making of their farms. They 
each entered a quarter- section and pre-empted the same amount. During the 
summer of L852, Abraham and Joseph Cease each built a frame house ami 
began opening up their farms. In April of the same year. Pugh, with whom 
the climate did not seem to agree, and who had disabled himself by hard work, 
prevailed upon Wandel to accompany him back to his former home. Wandel, 
whose favorable impressions of the great and growing West had led him to 
write back such glowing accounts of the country to his kinsmen, found, to his 
utter astonishment, upon the day of his arrival, a sale in progress at his fath- 
er's and uncle's, both of whom, with their families, were on the eve of starting 
for Mason County. After a short sojourn among l,i^ native hills, in company 
with James Wandel, his father, Isaac Huneywell, a brother-in-law, George 

Wandel. an uncle, and their families, he again turned his face westward. The 
entire journey was made by water, and die time consumed in coming from 
Pittsburgh to Havana was seven weeks. With bright hopes and eager expecta- 
tions of what their future Western homes would soon be, tins.- families had 
Bevered the ties that hound them to their native land, to battle with the thou- 
sand difficulties incident to pioneer life. Put alas for human expectations, the 
Bhadow of a great grief accompanied them on their journey. The decease "t 



HISTORY OF MAC n 

Mr-. Honeywell, who had sickened on the way, occurred on the very night of 
their landing at Havana. Heart-broken and discouraged, with the care of five 
Bmall children upon his hands, Isaac Huneywell, with J. 11. Wandel as a com- 

panion, retraced the COnrSC BO lately passed OTer. For a time, at least, it 
led thai Wandel was destined to belong only to the floating population <>f 
the county. During his Btay in Pennsylvania, lie prepared himself more fully 
for citizenship in Illinois by taking as a helpmeet Small ES. Depue, and. in the 
fall of 1852, with his father-in-law, Aaron Depue, and family, he again came 
to Mason County. In the summer of 1858, he erected his house and improved 
forty acres of his farm. He remained a citizen of the township until a few 
year- ago, when he became a citizen of nfason City, in which he at present 
resides. The other- mentioned all settled in the eastern portion of the county. 
though oot all in Pennsylvania Township. Phillip Cease came to the county 
in ls.*)i!, and settled south of Wandel on Section 22. George Wandel pur- 
chased an improved farm on which he settled near where the village of Teheran 
now stands. This, doubtless, Was the farm owned and occupied by William 

whose early settlement has already been noted. James Wandel 
entered and improved a farm on Section 27. James Depue and his family, con- 
sisting of George, Henry. .lames, dr., Moses, [saac and one daughter, Mary, 
settled just across the line, in what is now Salt Creek Township. During the 
spring and summer of 1853, we find the following settlers added to the list 
already given: George W. and Alexander Benscoter, William Legg, 

j try, 1». V. B and Joseph Statler. The Kenscoters and Gregory 

were from Pennsylvania, Statler from the Buckeye State and Legg from 

Cass County. Hoosierdom. liCg<: entered the land pre-empted by J. 11. 
Wandel. and made an improvement in the summer of L853. The Bum- 
mer following, he sold out to George W. and Alexander Benscoter. A 
ory settled in the northwest corner of the town-hip. remained a few years. 

then sold OUt and returned East. Joseph Statler settled in the SOUth part, a 
short distance north of the present village of Teheran, on laud now owned 
by J. McClung and J. H. Matthews. The records of ' mow 

that he (Statler) was chosen Assessor iii 1858 and 1859. He was also ex-offi- 
cio County Treasurer, as these two offices were combined in one prior to the 
adoption of township organization, in 1 S| >'_'. A man of strict integrity and 
fine business abilities, it i- n< to say that in these positions of public 

trust bis duties were promptly, faithfully and ably performed. Soi 

. he became :i resident of Mason City, and the citizens of that thriving 

and prosperous city, recognizing his worth, have honored him with the office 

of City Judge. 

D, \. Benscoter located on Section 26, east of Statler's, and, with many 
others of the family, is still a citizen of the township, .lack Conroy, from 
Ohio, made an improvement in the Bummer of \^'<\ on the southeast comer of 
the school Bection, where .lame- Hurley at present resides. About the same 



HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY. 

date, Daniel and James Riner and David E. Cruse became citizens of the town- 
ship. In 1856, J. Phink, from the Keystone State, made a farm in the south 
part of the township, and was soon followed by Jacob Benscoter, his father-in- 
law, who located in the same vicinity. While very many of the early settlers 
have passed over the river, to the land of shadows, many of their descendants 
remain citizens, and not a few occupy the farms entered and improved by their 
fathers. 

Of others who became citizens of the county prior to 1860, and located in 
this township, we find the names of Andreas Furrer, A. J. Gates, Alexander 
Blunt, Charles Hadsall, J. L. Ingersoll, T. L. Kindle, Joel Severn-, W. K. 
Terrell and John Van Hoon. Furrer was from Germany, and settled near the 
western limits of the township. Cates was from Tennessee, and Blunt from 
Kentucky. They both settled on Section 32, where they at present reside. 
Hadsall, Severns and Van Hoon were from Pennsylvania; Ingersoll, from 
Ohio ; Kindle and Terrell, from New Jersey. Ingersoll settled in the north- 
west corner of the township, and the remainder in the central and eastern por- 
tions, except Terrell, who located in the southwest corner, on Section 30. 
From the year 1860 forward, changes occurred so frequently, by removals and 
new arrivals, that any attempt to point out the order in which citizens came in 
and took up their residence would necessarily be a vain and useless task. John 
W. Pugh, a citizen of later date, has been so prominently identified with her 
interests as to be worthy of more than a passing notice. He is mentioned as 
having come to the county in 1850. He did not locate in Pennsylvania Town- 
ship until 1864, since which time he has served his fellow-citizens eleven years, 
in the capacity of Supervisor. He is the present incumbent, and his influence 
and sound judgment have much to do in the legislation of the affairs of the 
county. In 1874, he was chosen a member of the General Assembly, and here 
his influence was felt, and his votes stand recorded creditably to himself and 
his constituents. His entire official career has been alike creditable to his head 
and heart. 

The earliest settlers of Pennsylvania Township were not wholly exempt 
from the inconveniences and difficulties which are ever attendant companions to 
those who pioneer the way in the settlement and improvement of a new coun- 
try. The snorting of the iron horse had not at that date been heard within 
the limits of the county. Mason City and the villages in the eastern and 
southern part of the county had not yet been born. Havana was the only point 
for the shipment and sale of their extra produce. A large and, for the most 
part of the year, impassable swamp lay between them and it. In order to 
'fetch" their grain to market, the unloading and reloading of it five or six 
times was by no means an unusual occurrence. So accustomed to miring did 
teams become that the moment a halt was made, even though it might be on 
solid ground, they would lie down, through fear of finding the bottom some 
distance below the surface if they remained standing. Much of the early 



BISTORT OF M ISON OOUNTT. 

Bettler'a time was consumed in marketing hia produce, and the feat of cross 
the Bwamp successfully with a ir<»< "1 full load could only be accomplished during 
the B( \<Tity of WH 

Those coming in since t ; railroads in different portions of the 

county know but little, by experience, of the difficulties and trials that the 

of L849 and the early fifties endured. Their early milling was done ou 
the Mackinaw, and, of later years, at SimmondV and McHarry's, on Quiver. 
Their nearest post office was Havana, distant some fifteen or eighteen m 
The township has never had a post office established within its limits, - 

v al Teheran. N far as we have b 

advised, has ever been erected in any portion of it. 

schools, i in ai III.-. 

The firsl settlers by no means neglected the intellectual culture of their 
children, and bo we find that as soon as a half a dozen families were located in 
the same neighborhood, a temple of learning n first school- 

house in this pari was buill on Pennsylvania Lane in 1853 or 1854. M u 
Martha RandaN is credited with being the first teacher. A» present there 
Beven school districts in this township, each supplied w ith a good frame build 
and the annual amount expended for educational purposes compares favorably with 
that of Burrounding sections. The earliest ministers in this pari of the moral 
vineyard were Revs. Mowrey, Randall and Sloan. They were ministers in 
the M. E. Church. The early meetings were held in the Bchoolhouse. After a 
few years, through the death and removal of members, the society becami 
reduced in numbers that the field was abandoned, and remained unoccupied till 
. when the Presbyterians organized a society and erected a church build- 
ing. What is known aa the Pennsylvania Presbyterian Church was buill in 

the fall of the last mentioned year. It is a neat frame building with arched 

ceiling, 30x40 feet, and cost, at the time of its construction, $2,150. !; 
.1. B >gle was the first Pastor, and gave his first year's labor to the church free 
of charge. While his regular labor is with the Church in Mason City, he still 
continues to preach for this congregation "ii stated occasions. The early com- 
municants of the Church were John Vanhorn, wife and daughter, Mrs. M. J. 
Cavern. John W. Pugh and wife, and Mrs. Mary Pottorf. The present mem- 
bership numbers about thirty. A few members of the Baptist Church are n 
dents of the neighborh 1. and Rev. Mr. rlobbs, of Mason City, disc* 

them on the second Sunday of each month in this building. This is the only 

church building in the township outside of the village of Teheran. Dr. J. P. 
Walker, oowa prominent physician of Mason City, was among the firsl to 

practice the healing art in the town-hip. Tin- first death among the settlers ..f 

this section was doubtless that of Mrs. dames Wandel, whose decease occurred 
at the residence of her son. Jimison II. Wandel, in the Bpring of 1854. The 

wife of Joseph Cease died a few month.- later. We have not placed these t ia 



HI8T0RY OF M \so\ COUNTY. 685 

viz., the appearance of the physician in, and the i ling of death to the settle- 
ment, in juxtaposition in our history, in order thai the inference maybe readily 
drawn that the debut of the medicine-man in ;i community necessarily augurs the 
speedy demise of some of its members, and lest some noble and devoted disciple 
ofEsculapius might feel aggrieved al the orderof facts given, we here enter our 
disclaimer to any such intention. And yel the sight of a doctor always sug- 
a to our mind the idea of disease, sickness and death. The first to enter 
the connubial relation was Jimison II. Wahdel, whose marriage to Sarah E. 
Depue was celebrated in the fall of L852. Many others have since been mar- 
ried and given in marriage, as is common throughout the length and breadth of 
this goodly land. Whose was the first birth in the township cannot now be 
definitely ascertained. That there have been first-born males and first-born 
females in many families of this section, is fully evidenced by the fact that 
bright-eyed lads and lasses render joyous and gladsome the hearts of parents in 
many a household. Among the early Justices of the Peace in this quarter, the 
invincible Jimison H. Wandel leads the list. He was called upon to discharge 
the functions of this important, though often belittled office, as early as 1 ' 
He was also commissioned the first Justice for the township after its organiza- 
tion. As originally set off, it contained a large portion of what is now included 
in Sherman Township, two sections of Forest City and four of Manito. Alto- 
gether, it embraced fifty-eight full sections. In 1867, it was reduced to its 
present limits. The political complexion of the township has always been 
Democratic. Whenever a strict party vote has been cast, she has never 
given forth any uncertain sound, but has always raised her voice lustily for the 
Democratic party. During the ''late on pleasantness " she furnished her full 
quota of war-boys to the rank and file of the army, and was at no time sub- 
jected to a draft. Taken throughout its whole extent, it compares favorably 
with the adjacent townships as an agricultural district. The low or marshy 
lands, when a little more effectually drained, will constitute the most productive 
portions within its limits. 

VILLAGE OF TEHERAN. 

This village is situated in the southwest corner of the township, and is a 
station on the C, H. & W. 11. K , about seven miles west of Mason City. It 
was laid out in IsTo, on land belonging to Alexander Blunt. Soon after the 
village was located, A. J. Cates put up a building and opened a grocery store. 
I). L. Whitney at one time had a good general store, but has not been num- 
bered among her merchants for some years past. David Everett at pr. - 
operates the only general store in the place. The post office was established in 
l v 7 1. with W. T. Rich as first Postmaster. The present incumbent is David 
Everett. A warehouse, built some years previous, was. in 1876, converted 
into an elevator by Low, McFadden & Simmons. The amount of grain 
handled here, annually, ranges from 75,000 to 125,000 bushels. A neat frame 



686 



HISTORY OF M ^SON COUNTY. 



church was erected by the United Brethren society in 1878. The Bociei 
small, hut in a growing and prosperous condition. A blacksmith and general 
repair shop completes the list of its business enterprises. Its population does 
not exceed thirty souls, and yet, uniin j>< Ttaut as it is when compared with vil- 
lages of a larger growth, it is. nevertheless, a convenience to the neighborhood 
, point for the shipment of their produce, and at which daily mails are 
received. It is hardly to be expected that it will ever exceed its present limits, 
a- its proximity to Mason City on the one hand and ESaston on the other, will 
oually a<t be checks to its further development. 




m ■ i 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PATRONS 



IMI E IST A. IR, ID COUNTY. 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT. 

DR. F. P. ANTLE, physician, Petersburg. Among the physicians of Menard 

Co. none stand higher than Dr. Francis P. Antle, of Petersburg. He is of Scotch 
and German descent, and conies from patriotic stock ; bis maternal descent is traced 
from the Buchanans, who early emigrated from Scotland to America, and he is a mem- 
ber of the same branch of the family with President Buchanan, to whom be was second 
cousin. The ancestors of Dr. An tie's father came from Germany, and settled in North 
Carolina. Dr. Antle is the son of Michael and Mary Ann Buchanan) Antle ; they 
were married in Kentucky, and lived for a time near Lexington, Ky. ; they emigrated 
to Illinois in the fall of 1819, locating for a time near St. Louis. In March, 1820, they 
settled on a tract of land eight miles southeast of where .Jacksonville now is ; here 
Francis P. Antle was born, May 1, 1824 ; his early life was spent on his father's farm. 
and his early education was obtained during the winter months; so well were his 
advantages improved that, at the age of 18, he began teaching in the same school where 
he had been a pupil; this he followed for a time, then began the study of medicine 
with J. D. Freeman, of Springfield ; two years were spent in Springfield, and. in 1856, 
he went to Cincinnati and attended medical lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute: at 
the conclusion of these courses of lectures, he removed to Williamsville, Sangamon Co., 
and established a drug store and engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1859, he 
again visited Cincinnati, and took an additional course of lectures, after which he made 
Petersburg his home, and has since been actively employed with the duties of his pro- 
fession. Dr. Antle married Miss Dorcas Ann Mosteller, of Menard Co.,. Ian. 28, 1858 
Her parents were early settlers of Sangamon Co.; they have hut two children living — 
T. Powell and donah ( ). The former is a graduate of the Illinois College of Jacksonville. 

II. 1!. AL8ERS, dealer in bouts and shoes. Petersburg: is a native of Prussia, 
where he was horn Oct. 1 1. 1849. During his early life, he obtained a good business 
education and learned the trade id' a shoemaker. He emigrated to this country in 
1869, landing in New York City June 26; he at once came to Illinois, locating in 
Petersburg, and for a time followed his trade; in 1874, he established hi- present busi- 
lle is a young man of good business ability and by fair dealing has built up a 
flourishing trade, and won the reputation of a much respected citizen. He keeps a tine 
assortment and none hut the best of goods, making a specialty id' custom work. Bis 

is the only exclusively hoot and si house of Menard Co.. his entire attention i 

turned toward this branch of business. His wit'e was Mis- Mary Ahrends, of his 
native country ; they were married Nov. 5, 1873; they have a family of three children. 

A. K. BE ARD, farmer ; P.O.Petersburg; he was born in Sullivan Co., N.H 
25, 1827, where he was raised and received such school advantages as the place afforded ; 
during his early life, he lived a farmer. He married Nyrah, daughter of Hiram Eurd, 
a prominent farmer of this county. Nov. 6, 1852, and settled upon a farm, continuing 
there until 1862, when he sold out and came to Menard Co., III., where he has since 
resided. They have two <,.ns. He OWUS L60 acres of tine land. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

.1 II. BO WEN, express agent b is a native of Bron 

111.; Imtii Sept. 23, 1850; his school ad quite limited; he b 

laborer at the early age "1' 13, engaging upon a farm, and devoting such tim< as con 

Btudy; be gradually obtained a fair business education ; in 1869 be went on 
the road as a trav< -man. continuing this until the lull of 1875, when be 

1 the M dical Department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, and Ux '. 
•it not wial come a practitioner, as his inclinations were more in the 

direction of merchandising, ' i Petersburg in 1876, and, for a time, travel 

a salesman; hi ."cry business in 1877, and was al<o appointed agent 

for the United - 'burg; he has built up a fine I 

men I of family provisions, qui 

ROBERT BISHOP, proprietor of a gun-shop, Petersb born in I 

mouth, E -'. 1815, and was brought to this country by his parents while 

quite youi iton, where Kobert was raised and schooled; his father 

he first to invent and put into use the cylinder for revolvers and guns, and died 
I. .•fur.' they were put into general who then was but a youth, hail air 

m an inventive mind, and soon became a thorough mechanic; 

spent upon the Atlantic- Ocean, as a whaler along the Chili, 

Peru and Panama: afti r abandoning sea life, be removed to St. Louis and took tip his 

. he located where he now resides in 1841, at which time the present cil 
Peters > but a hamlet; he has witoec tire growth, and participated in 

such public matters as pertained to the good of the community ; he was a soldii 
,ii war. dow, at a ripe old age, he lives to Bee the prosperity and usefu 
of his children. 

I BLANE, attorney, Petersburg; b if I Alkire) Blane, 

who were early settlers of Menard Count) ; be was born in this county Jan. IT. 1840, 

ami raised upon a farm, attending district Bchool, after which he attended the North 

imon Academy, win re be prepared to study law; his lather was a prominent 

r of this county, from it- organization to his death, which occurred Jan 18, 1864; 

his mother survived ten years longer, | av April 18, 1^71: they were highly 

cted by all who knew them. The subject of this .-ketch enlisted in the late war 

of the rebellion, with the 1 06th I. V. [. ; during tl Vicksburg, he was pr.>- 

m< >t • • 1 to Lieutenant, and then to Captain ; was mustered "tit after the Bervice of tl 

the war. he tm.k up the study of law under Hon. S. S. Knoles, at the 
uame time superintending his farm; he also Btudied with Hon. T. W. McNeely, and 
admitted to the bar in 1874; he has since given his time and attention u> the prac- 
tice of his profession, in which he is fast becoming popular. He married Miss M 
Spear dan. 1. 1866—a native of this cmintv ; they have a family of four children 

W. J. BREWER, farmer; P. was born in this county Sept. 15, 

i of John and .lane , Martin B his people came fr in Green Co. K . 

in 1826, and settled in the eastern part of M where they lived during 

remainder of their lives ; W. J. was raised a farmer, ami bj industry and energy 
i property, now owning 120 acres II married Miss Nan 
Blair Sept. 13, 1858; she died April 7, 1871, leaving two childn d . Feb. 23, 1874, he 
married Mrs. Klizal me died Not 28, 1-77. 

T. C. BENNET1 I nil Clerk. Petersburg; Bon of Dr. Richard V. and .Maria 
born in Petersburg, 111.. April 18, 1838; he obtained an edu- 
cation at the A>lnirv University of in 1855 I 1 t" 

is, where I s I' put) District Clerk fur a number 

be returned to Petersburg in 1865, and was soon appointed Deputy Circuit 

Clerk, serving until 1872, when h< Clerk, and i I in 1876. He mar 

ried Miss Martha J. Jenkins, of Mifflin Co., Penn . Nov. 17. 1868; tiny are the par- 

if four children, thn f whom are living. 

Ii<>\ N W BRANSON, attorney, Petersbui of the most prom 

of the Menard Co. bar; n J M j 20 1837; hi- pa: 

natives ol Kentucky; hi and youth were distinguished by thi 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT. . 6 

iiiid attention to study thai have marked his subsequent life and contributed bo much i<> 
his success ; after a preparatory course of study, he entered Illinois College, where li" 
graduated in L 857, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts; his taste led him to 
choose tlic legal profession, and at the conclusion of bis college course he began the 
study of law in the office of David A. Smith, of Jacksonville ; he was admitted to the 
bar in January, I860, and began the practice of his profession at Petersburg the same 
year; li re his knowledge of the law, bis ready adaptation to business and hi> habi 
close application rapidly gained for him a high professional standing at the bar and 
wide influence in the community ; in 1867, he was appointed b\ Chief Justice Chase 
Register in Bankruptcy for the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois, which position 
he held for a number of years. In liis political convictions, Mr. Branson has always 
been identified with the Republican party, and ever since its organization he has been 
an enthusiastic supporter of its principles ; in 1 872, he received the Republican nomi- 
nation for Representative in the Legislature, and was elected to that office; up a taking 
his seat, he became an active member of the body, and served two sessionH as Chairman 
of the Committee on State Institutions, contributing much by h\< energy to the fur- 
therance of action on subjects which came under the attention of his committee, as well 
as to the general course uf legislative proceedings; his course in the Legislature gave 
him increased popularity, and be was again elected in l s 71; in 1876, he was a dele- 
gate to the National Republican Convention at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Branson was 
married Feb. 21, 1861, to Fanny D., daughter of Dr. Francis and Ann S. (Goldsmith) 
Regnier, of Petersburg. A> a lawyer id' ability and* integrity, a citizen of usefulness 
and honer. all classes of tlie community unite in giving him their confidence. 

JACOB F. BERGEN, farmer; P. 0. Petersburg; son of George and Emily A. 
i VVyatt i Bergen, who came from Woodford Co., Ky.. with their parents, who emi- 
grated from Morris Co., N. .J., to Woodford Co., Ky.. in 1818; thence to Illinois in 
1824, locating in Morgan Co., where they spent their last days; his rather, Geor 
Bergen, was horn in New Jersey- duly 6, 1809; he went, with his parents, to Morgan 
Co., 111., where he married Miss Emily A. Wyatt, Feb. 11, 182'.); she died at Peters- 
burg Feb. 4, 187U, leaving a family of seven sons and one daughter. George S. Ber- 
gen now resides with his son, Jacob F., at the ripe old age of 70 ; during his life, be 
has accumulated a good property, which he has distributed among his children. Jacob 
F., the subject of this -ketch, was horn in Morgan Co.. 111.. April 23, 1845, and, in 
1850, was brought to this county, where he lias since lived, a well-to-do and highly 
respected citizen; during his early life, he obtained a good business education, attending 
the Commercial College at Springfield ; he began doing business for himself in 18 
he now owns 1 I I acres of the old homestead farm. He married Hannah K. S 
Baltimore, Md., Oct. 1. 1 ^7o ; they have one child, a promising son — (iuy F. 

J. A. BRAHM, banker and merchant, Petersburg; was born in Gallatin Co., 
111., Feb. !>. 1828, and was brought to Menard Co., 111., in 1830, his people settling 
north of Petersburg, where they lived prominent citizens; his father die 1 in 1852, and 
his mother in 18 12 ; his lather was a native id' Germany, and his mother of Virginia ; 
his early life was spent on the homestead, receiving such educational advantages as the 
new country afforded ; in 1848-49, he attended McKendree College, at Lebanon, 111.; 
here he acquired a good business education, which, with energy and perseverance, has 
assisted him to his present position, that of a highly respected citizen : his principal 
business has been merchandising, and his su i merchant is well known 

throughout this part of Illinois, and to-day he is one oi the s.>iid men of Menard 
County. Mr. Brahm ha- been closely identified with business enterprises in the county, 
and his energy and capital have done much toward building up Petersburg ; in evidence 
of this, we would mention the commodious dry-goods house of Brahm, Lanning & 

Wright, which is, beyond a doubt, the largest and best stocked retail dry-- Is house 

of the State outside of Chicago; he is giving his personal attention to the busim • 
banking, under the firm name ,,f Brahm A Greene; in connection with \Y. <i. Gr 
he established this, the first banking-house in Menard Co., in 1866, and it has the rep- 
utation of being one of the most Substantial banks of Central Illinois. Hi- wife was 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHB8: 

Eliza B., daughter of PhiKp and Anna Rainey, of Boydton, \'a they were married 
March 1<». 1867; they bare a family of three daughters and two sons; their residence 
is a beautiful one, and located upon a rise of ground, presenting a mosl picture 
appearance. 

BON JOHN BENNETT, retired, Petersburg; son of Richard E. and Ann 
tt; they were of Scotch-Irish origin ; he was born in Halifax C Va 

_' 1 . 1805. II ii> boyhood ami early manhood at the old homestead in 

inia, receiving Buch an education a- tin- common Bchools of that period afforded. 
At t 1 II. he entered his father's Btore as clerk, in which capacity he continued 

till the death of his father in 1828. After settling up the estate, he continued in 
business on 1 1 i — own account until 1835, when li<' removed to Sangamon Co., Ill 
tling near Rochester. Il> remained there until 1836, when he came to Petersburg 
and opened a . in the then small villagi Here Mr. Bennett continued 

very successfully in merchandise till 1 v "» s . when, having amassed a handsome property, 
he resigned the can - of active life to i njoy in his beautiful home which is one of the 
most finely located residences in Petersburg) that peace and quiet which his early lift 
of activity had well earned. During the winter ol L840 LI, he represented Menard 
Co. in the Stat'' Legislature. H<' was one of tlie original Directors of the Ton: 

sburg I! R., a partofwhal is dow the Jacksonville I > i % i - i » » 1 1 of the C. A: A I! 
I;. . i! ig [ sition he held for four years. In Freemasonry, Mr. Bennett is prominently 
known in the State, ami he has been conspicuous for his devotion to the Order and his 
zealous practice of its tenets. For upward of forty years he has been intimately con- 
nected with the interests of Menard Co., in both private and public life, and now. at 
the ripe age of 74, he enjoys the result of a well-spent life. He has twice married; 
first to Miss Man A.Boyd, Deo. 1. 1829; she died Mas 12, L.849, leaving four 
children. Mr Bennett married his present wife Sept. 1". i860; she was Miss Mary 
.1 Cabaniss They are well known and highly respeqted. 

I-'. V. BALE, miller, Petersburg; Bon of Abraham and Mary Lewis Bale; was 
horn in Green Co., Ky., Jan. I. 1833. His parents came from Green Co., Ky., in 
►, locating in Salem, and in I s ! 11 his father bought a farm, which they operated 
until L852, when they bought the old mill .site at Salem and began to repair the mill ; 
but in 1853, In- father died, after which he, with two brothers, finished repairing it and 
putting it into operation. In L873, F. V. became sole proprietor and has since operated 
it. The historical facts connected with this mill will be further alluded to in the his- 
tory of Menard Co. The Bubject o< this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth J. 
Levii ' HI- Oct. 9, 1859; born in Virginia. They have ha. 1 

children, hut two of whom are now living. 

I» M BONE, furniture deal i of Robert S. and Nancy N l I 

Bone, wh mong the early settlers of Menard Co., and of Scotch-Irish origin. 

He was born in this county April 18, 1 846, and raised upon a farm, and his early 
education was obtained at district Bchools, after which he- attended the Cherry Grove 
Seminary, of Knox < !o., III., two years ; he then entered the Hopkins < Irammar School, 
of New Haven, Conn. In 1866, he entered Vale < raduating in 1870, after 

which he returned to Menard Co. and for a tim< superintended bis father's farm. The 
following yoar, he was appointed Principal of thi P rsburg Seminary, continuing in 
this capacity one year; then for a time followed stock dealing. In 1874, be embarked 
in the drug business in company with T. Fisher. In 1875, he established I 
business and to-day is doing the leading business in hi- line. Be is a young man of 
fine business as well as mental power- and fast becoming a prominent business man of 
Menard Co. EL married Marj P., daughter of Dr. Aleck Rainey, April L6, l v 7». 

have two children. 

1 1 A KI'I'.N BA I-l »n of II and 

M I ' sated 

where the town of Petersburg now Btands, in 1830, and did much for thi 
UK nt of the country, tn 1833, he bought a small grist-mill, which he operated; here 
the .-on learned the bus I built a large mill, also a carding-mill, and when the 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT. 691 

country settled and the demand for flour and the working of wool was such as to justify 
it, he built a large woolen and flouring mill, of bwo sets of buhra and twelve looms; 
here he did an extensive and flourishing business until 1865, when it was destroyed by 
fire. He rebuilt it. and is now operating a woolen-mill of the capacity of a two-set 
mill. He is public-spirited and benevolent, and enjoys the reputation of a highly- 
respected citizen. Ilf was born in Green Co., Ky.. Oct. 2, 1816; he came with his 
parents tip this county in L830, and well remembers when this was a wild and desolate 
country, inhabited by roving bands of Indians, with now and then an adventurous pio- 
neer. The school advantages were limited, hut, by home study and business experi- 
ence, lie has obtained a good business education, fie has twice married — first to Miss 
Esther Summers, Sept. 18, 1839; she died Feb. 7, 1872, leaving a family of ten chil- 
dren; Feb. 20, 1879, he married Mrs. Sarah E. Shuman, of Louisville, Ky. 

CAIN & PARKS, editors of the Observer, Petersburg. The Petersburg Observer 
was established at Tallula, Menard Co., 111., by George W. Cain, one of its present 
proprietors, in August, L876, and was there edited and published until May. of 1878, 
when it was removed to Petersburg, and W. R. Parks became a partner; the new tirm 
then bought the Menard County Times, a Republican paper, and abandoned its publi- 
cation, re-establishing the Observer] and, on May 18, 1878, the first number of the 
Observer was issued at Petersburg. The Observer is a four-page, eight-column paper, 
embracing the current news of the day, and largely devoted to the county and local 
affairs; politically it is, and always has been, uncompromisingly Greenback, advocating 
in a fair, honest and vigorous manner the principles of the Greenback party, and is the 
acknowledged organ of that party in Menard and surrounding counties. Cain & Parks 
are stirring business men, with firm political and business views. 

J. W. COOK, physician, Petersburg; son of Romulus B. and Elizabeth Backus 
Cook; was born in the city of Hamilton, Canada. Oct. :!, 1843, where he was raised 
and educated ; he attended the Normal University, where he prepared for a medical 
course, which he took at the Victoria Medical University id' Toronto, graduating in 
1866. He located in Chicago in 1867, and began the practice of his chosen profession ; 
he continued there until after the fire of 1871 : then removed to Braidwood, 111 . where 
he practiced medicine until he came to Petersburg, in 1878. where he is fast becoming 
a skilled and popular physician. 

PROF. M. C CONNELLY, Principal of the Petersburg Public Schools, P 
burg; was born in the city of New Orleans May !•, 1846, where he lived until 1854, 
at which time his parents died with the yellow fever, and he was taken by relatives to 
Sangamon Co., 111., where he was raised and schooled, attending Auburn High School, 
from which he graduated in 1865. During the late war. he enlisted with the 114th 1. 
V. I., and participated in many of the most severe battles of the Western army, serving 
three years, and escaped without injury. After the war. he studied law under Hon. J. 
W. Patton, of Springfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1870, and began the practice 
of his profession in Springfield, continuing one year; in 1871, he removed to !'• 
burg, and shortly after was appointed Principal of the public schools of Petersburg, 
Berving in that capacity five consecutive years; he then resigned, and. in 1878, was 
again* appointed, and re-appointed in 1879. He is largely a self-made man. well adapted 
to managing the affairs of a public school. He married Miss Kinina S oker, of Spring- 
field, 111., July 29, 1874; she was born in Springfield July 4, 1855; they have one 
child — Louis S. 

\. V CURRY, Postmaster. Petersburg; son of Henry P. and Nancy B. Minor) 
Curry; was born in Menard Co., 111., July 14, 1845, where he was raised and received 
a good common-school education. During the late war. he enlisted with the 71st I. V. 
1. 'three months service), and served to the expiration of the enlisted term; in 
186"), he re-enlisted with the L06th L. V. I., and served to the close of the war. He 
entered Chicago University in 1870, attending Borne two years, when his health be 
so impaired that he was compelled to abandon his studies; he then returned to I' 
burg, and was appointed Postmaster to fill a vacancy, and directly appointed in l v 7".. 
and re-appointed in 1 S77. He is a gooJ business mm and much and 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETI I 

idered the right man in the r i •_' 1 1 1 place. II- 1 as twice lift-n married; first to Mist 
Roeette Samps* a March -1.1 v H7. who died June 6, 1 B68, leai ing one child i dea a'sed ; 
June .">. 1873, be was married to Miss Mary A Sampson; they have one ehild — Alice. 

IMA . II P. CI IIKV. minister and farmer, ami one of the religions workers and 
well-to-do citizens of Menard Co P. 0. Petersburg; he was born in Green Co., Kv.. 
Sept. l v . 824, and is the son of G I Man Wilcox Curry; his parents emi- 

grated from Kentucky in l^L'7. settling near where he now lives; his father had i 
farming bis principal business through life; he died Sepl 5, 1876; be had acquired a 
good property, and raised a family of eleven children ; bis mother still survives ai the 
an Henry P : ictively engaged in the work of the ministr} for 

thirty-nin< an at the early age of 17 ; now preaches for four churches ; also 

superintends bis farm of 200 acres. He married Miss Nancy B., daughter of John and 
Martha Minor, of \'< I Mi ; they were joined in marriage Sept. 17, 1844, and have 
a family of seven children. Rev. Mr. Curry is one of the oldest Baptist ministers of 
Central Illinois, well known and respected. 

V. B CON \\T. furniture dealer. Petersburg; born in Suitsburg M ss Feb. 
27, 1825; boo "i Sullivan and Lydia Hemingway Conant, the Bemiogway family 
being one of the most prominent families in thai portion of the State; he carfie to tins 
State in the winter of 1831, his lather, who was a cabinet-maker, locating in 
Springfield, and in this branch of manufacture the son was trained; in the spring of 
1849, he came to this town and set up business, at which be has continued to this date. 
Was married in Springfield, in May, L847, to Mary K. Sikes, born in Massachui 

lied Feb. 14, 1864, leaving two children — Fames and Kittie; Bince married E A 
Kim-aid; had two children, both deceased. Mr. Conant is the proprietor and owner of 
the noted Rose Hill Cemetery, one of the most beautiful burial places in Central llli- 
nois, which be has -pent a deal of money and time in the arrangement and decora ion 
of, and bas made it the pride and glory of his life; the cemetery is situAted on bh< 
side of the classic Sangamon, one mile from the public square, directly opposite the city 
ol Petersburg. Its location is Booh as to render it impossible iched 

upon by the growth of the town; situated as it is, on a commanding eminence, the 
grounds gently undulating, and from its retired yet accessible location | — esses that 
rural retirement where, covered with green sward, shaded with ns and gi 

of beautiful trees, checkered with avenues, aisles and walks, all she/ of untir- 

iid marked attention, where the flowers bloom and the wild birds Bing, mingling 

their sWeet llieli >d \ W i I 1 1 tile Ulll-ic uf tile lull lltaill. while. Mattered thrOUgfaOUl the 

entire grounds are slabs and shafts monumental, beneath which rest the forms that hive 
made bo many homes desolate by their sudden departure to this silent city; the ground 
originally contained but ten acres, and was incorporated dune 20, 1858; the first 
interment was a child of Mr. Eubanks; the grounds now contain thirty-two and one- 
half acres, and Mr. Conant expects Boon to contain fifty acre.-; the 
fountain recently erected in the middle of the cemetery, has in connection with it 2,500 
onvey water to all parts of the grounds, and. notwithstanding the 
of the grounds, and the amount of money expended on the a in* . he has 
not yet brought it to the point of excellence and beauty that he intend- , in short, 1 
Hill i mething of which tl. id. and th 

dit upon Mr. Conant foT the Real and enterprise he has manifested in thi 
ami the i id | rovement of the same. 

JONATH \N COLBY,farm< r; P.O. Petersburg; born in Hopkinton V II.. March 

10, I Hmothyand Lydia Herrick) Colby, and lived together as husband and 

foi sixty years, their combined ing 172 years; they were of English d< scent . 

the Bubject of thi> sketch came to Illinois in 1834 and located where b< now resides; 

dun: ly life, he obtained a fair education, and, l<>r a number of years, work 

i. Biding in Illinois, be has followed agricultural pursuits, and is one of the 
practical and prosperous farmers of Menu I I kpril 13, 1837, he married Miss 

Lydia [ngalls, of this county; Bhe was born in Pomfret, Conn., June 20, 1809, and died 
September, 1858, leaving a lamiU of six He owns 160 acres. 



PETEBSB1 RG PRECINCT. 

I1KNRY CLARK, farmer; P. 0. Petersburg; among those who came to Menard 
Co. in an early day, none is more prominently known then the above gentleman, 
who experienced the trials and hardships of a pioneer life; he was born in Barren Co. 
Ky.. in December, 1805, where he was raised and began doing for himself He married 
M as .Man Stinker April 21, 1>l':i, and, in 1826, came to Illinois, locating where he now 
resides, and which 1ms been his home for over fifty three years; he has always mani- 
fested an interest in all matters pertaining to the good of the community, particularly 
in church and school affairs; he has accumulated a Lined property and raised a family of 
seven children. Mr. and Mr-. Clark have lived happily together as man and wife for 
upward of fifty-sis years, and now live to see (he usefulness and prosperity of their children. 

1*. L. CONRAD, mining, Petersburg; was hum near Albany, N. ST., Jan. 14, 
1828 ; during his early life, he formed a liking fur railroading, which he followed many 
years, and. by his untiring energy, had become quite prominent with many railroad 
companies; while quite young, he went South, visiting the Isthmus of Darien, and 
spending a number of years in different parts of the country ; his many prominenl busi- 
ness connections with railroads indicate that he is a practical railroader; he came to Illi- 
nois in 1 St;n. locating in Petersburg, and, fur a time, superintended mining at the coal 
shaft of C. T>. Lanning & Co., after which, he built the railroad from Jacksonville to 
Virden ; in 1874, he was appointed Superintendent of the South Valley Coal Shaft, 
acting ill that capacity until 1878, when he leased said shaft, and still operates in 
mining; the vein is 6^ feet; the advantages for mining are superior to any in this 
country, and, having had considerable experi nee, he is enabled to manage the business 
profitably and satisfactorily: he is also interested in the manufacturing of tiles of all 
kinds — in fact, he is a thorough business man. lie Carried Miss Ann M. Doxtaber, 
of New Voik. duly 20, 1852; they have one child — Edgar. 

S. DEERWESTER, manufacturer of wagons and carriages, Petersburg, of the 
firm of Bryant & Deerwester; was born in Hamilton Co.. Ohio, March 1. L830, where 
he was raised and educated ; he is the son of Joseph and Elenor i Parker) Deerwester; 
in early life, he chose the trade of wagon-making, and. being of a mechanical turn of 

mind. si became an aide workman ; he came to Petersburg in 1853, where he has 

Bince lived ; and the result of his industry and energy is a good property and a large 
trade, built up by integrity and fair dealing ; he entered into his present partnership in 
1865 ; they began on a small scale, and are now the largest carriage and wagon manu- 
facturers iii the county. Mr. Deerwester married Miss Catherine McHenry, of this 

place, Feb. 13, 1855; they have a family id' two— Anna and Ella. 

C. B. ELLIOTT, physician, Petersburg; was born in Portag Co., Ohio, April 
24, 1835; bis preliminary education was attained at district school, after which, he 
attended the Eclectic College id' Hiram. Ohio, about four years, when he began teach- 
ing school and improving all leisure time by reading medicine ; in 1864, he took one 
course at the Charity Hospital Medical College of Cleveland, after which, he b 
practice; in L 868, he returned and finished his course, graduating in 1869; he settled 
in Petersburg the same year; in lsyi, he graduated in the Medical Department of the 
University of Wooster, Ohio, since which time be has devoted his time and energy to 
the practice of hi- profession, ami has built up a large practice, lie married Miss 
Mary A. Earl, of his native county, April 2, 1>.">7; they have one child— C. Everest 

EUGENE W. EADS, Deputy County Sheriff, Petersburg; was born in Menard 
Co., 111., May 1<>. 1850; sou of Wesley T. and Mary A. I Brassfield) Eads, who were 
early settlers of this county. They Settled at what is known as Indian Point. Sis father 
died while he wis quite young, and at the age of ',i his mother began traveling for her 
health, and Eugene accompanied her through the Southern States. He returned to 
Menard Co. in 1865. He attended Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and there acquired 
a good business education. In 1872, he embarked in the livery business at Petersburg. 
In L 874, he visited his mother in California, spending quite a time in the Western 
country, returning in 1875, and then visiting the Eastern States He returned to 
Petersburg and, in lsTti. was appointed upon the police force and elected City Marshal 
in l*-77. In the spring of 1879 he Was appointed Deputy Sheriff. 



694 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

MRS. RACHEL II FRACKELTON, retired,. Petersburg; widow of Robert 
l>. Frackelton, who waa horn in Dramore, County Down, Ireland, Feb. 22, li 
there be waa raised aod schooled [□ 1843, he came, with hia brother, D. >.. to this 
o unirv. boating in Springfield, 111., ami for some time taught school, after which he 
remove I to Petersburg and embarked in mercantile life, I igether with banking, in com- 
pany with hia brother, which business be continued in while he lived. Be was an 
audi - man and a useful Christian. Ik- died Aug. L5, 1>7I. beloved by fi 

ami relatives,' and respected by all who knew him. Bis wife waa Miss Rachel II 
Wayne Co., V V . they were married Dec. 19, 1871 ; Bhe waa born in 
Wayne 0e\, N ! Feb. I. 1834. Through industry and energy, her husband had 
accumulated a fine property, and Bhe is now spending her later days enjoying the si 
of many warm friends and devoted relative.-.. ||,-r residence is one of the fines) in 
Petersburg and beautifully located. 

I> S FRACK ELTON, hanker. Petersburg; was bora in County Down, Ireland. 
Feb. I l. 1827, boo of William and Elizabeth Waddell Fraokelton. His father being 
a merchant, he early Followed mercantile life, and by energy, industry and uprightness 
baa placed himself in hia present prominent and highly respected position. Hi- father 
died while be was quite young. The rest of the family oame to this country, though 
at different times. The subject of this sketch, with his brother, came and located in 
Sprin-zfield in 1843; there they taught school for a time, and finally located in Peters- 
burg in 1844, and embarked in mercantile business and were quite successful in this 
and banking. His brother died in 1874, while he still continues in mercantile and 
banking business. Hi- brother James, who oame to this country in 1848, is a pr<*s 
perous merchant, with whom be is connected in the mercantile department D. S 
long been a member of the Presbyterian Church and i- prominently connected with its 
rth and prosperity, serving as an elder for man) years, and the high esteem in 
which he is held by all who know him is the result of an honorable and npright life. 
He married Louise, daughter of Dr. Chandler (the founder and prominent citizen of 
Uhandleraville, 111. . March 13, 1856. Thej nave five children living. 

REV. A H. GOODPASTURE, minister, Petersburg; son of John and Margcrj 

Bryan Goodpasture; was born in Overton Co., Tenn., June 21, 1812; his a stors 

were prominent pioneers of Virginia; his grandfather built the first Court House at 
Richmond; the subject of this sketch is the sixth child of a family of fourteen chil- 
dren, about the age of 21, he began doing lor himself, and removed to Central Ala- 
bama; it was on this journey that he stopped for a time and attended camp-meeting, 
and experienced religion, resolving ever after to be • worker for the cause of Christ ; he 
goon began to Btud) for the ministry, and. in April, 1835, waa licensed by the Tall. 

lytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to preach; lie began the work of 
the ministry at Mardisville, Ala. ami. after an absence of twenty-five month-, returned 
to hia people a preacher; in 1836, he came to Illinois on a visit, and was persuaded to 
remain and engage here in the ministry, which he did ; at that time, hia circuit 
embraced several counties; the privations and hardships incident to a Dewoountrj 
common t" him ; after eighteen month.-' labor in the wild- of Illinois, he returned to 
hi- people in Alabama, and there preached until 1842, when he again came to this 
State, locating in Menard Co., where he ha- -ince diligently labored in the work of the 
mini.-trv Mr Goodpasture is one of the pioneer preachera of Illinois, and i- at pres- 
ent Pastor of the Concord Church, near where be now resid s. II married Miss 
Dulciua 15. Williama, of this county, Jan. 1". 1843; Bhe waa born in Bath Co., Ky., 
March 19, 1819; they are the parents of sii children, only three of whom are now 
living He owns a tarm of 200 acre.-, which be superintends. The) are well known 
and bighlj respected citu 

MRS JEMIMA '.I M. farmer. P.O. Petersburg; daughtei of Robert 
Ellen l» ' r, who emigrated from Kentucky in an early day: they settled 

when Mm Gui a ret urlj as 1830, and her Mi Robert Carter die. I March 

_'o 1866; he had raised a family of six boys and two girls ; Mrs. Carter still survives, 
ami enjoys good health at the ripe old age of 83. The subject of this sketch married 






PETERSBURG PRECINCT. 696 

Mr. l'homaa D. Gum Jan. 17, 1889, and during his life was known as one of the most 
industrious and energetic farmers of Menard Co.; he died Nov. 18, 1859, leaving a 
family of seven, only four of whom are noiu living. During life, Mr. Gum had accu- 
mulated a good property, and, through good management, Mrs. Gum has added to the 
property and supported the family ; Bhe now owns 120 acres of fine land, and still 
superintends the farm. 

CHARLES GUM, farmer; P.O. Petersburg; son of Jesse and Mary Dills) 
Gum, who were among the first settlers of Menard Co.; he was a Dative of Kentucky 
and she of South Carolina; when this now well settled and finely developed county was 
hut a wild and desolate country, they settled at what is known as Clarries' Grove, 
Menard Co. Jesse Gum ranked with the influential and reliable men of the county, 
and had accumulated a good property. The Bubject of this Bketcb is likewise a well-to- 
do farmer. Be married Martha, daughter of Elijah and Nancy (Armstrong Jones, 
who were early Bcttlers of Menard Co.; they were married in February, 1850; they 
have seven children, and own 255 acres of fine land thai he settled on when this was 
hut a wild and desolate country, with settleis far apart. 

WILLIAM M. GOLDSBY, farmer and minister, Petersburg; was born in Green 
Co., I\\ . Oct. 16, 1818, and sen of .James and Elizabeth (BingleyJ Goldsby; his 
father was a soldier of the war of 1812; they came to this county in 1830, and his 
father was the first Sheriff of Menard Co., and served six years, and did his duty Well. 
William M. has worked faithfully as a minister of the Baptist Church for upward of 
twenty-live years, and still labors with vi<_ r nr for the pood cause, having two chuicle 
which he now preaches. His wife was Mi^s Eliza Pierce; they were married Aug. 1">. 
ls.".:i ; they have six children, all members of church, and who are well-to-do. 

W. T. BUTCHERSON, former, P.O. Petersburg; Bon of Thomas and Catharine 
(Philips) Butcherson; was born in Green Co., Ky., April ii. 1828. He was left to 
battle with the hardships of the world, without parental care and advice, at an early n:<-. 
Previous to their death, they had removed to Sangamon Co.. 111., where he spent a 
meat part of his early life. When the Mexican war broke out, Mr. Butcherson 
etiiisted with the 4th Regiment, I. V. I., under Maj. L. Harris, and served to the 
close. Mr. H. i> uth- deserving great credit: he began a poor hoy. with limited 
advantages, and to day enjoys a good reputation, and i~ Burrounded by a pleasant family, 
and owns a beautiful farm, known as Fairview Farm, consisting of 220 acres. 

JACOB BOFING, proprietor of the Menard Bouse, Petersburg. The number 
nf commercial travelers who register at the Menard is witness to its accommoda- 
tions and good table. Mr. Bofing has managed this house for many years. He was 
born in Han iver, Germany, Aug. 21, 1838 ; he came to this country in 1857, locating 
in Menard Co., and fur a number nf years followed farming, together with stock- 
dealing. In 1866, he Bold out and bought the Menard Bouse, and at once refitted and 
renovated it. so that it is pleasant and homelike. Be ha- twice married —first to Miss 

Elizabeth Davis in February, 1863; -In- died in November, 1868, leaving one child — 
Alice. He married his second wife Aug. 24, 1ST."): she was Mis. Clarissa J. Cram- 
mer, of Petersburg ; they have one child — Cora B. 

BOBART BAMILTON, civil engineer, Petersburg ; son of Jamin and Elizabeth 
Little Hamilton; was born in Chittenden Co., Vt . dune 26, 1831. Bere he Bpent 
the early part of his life, and received his academical education. Be graduated from 
the Vermont University at Burlington, in 1853; his course in civil engineering 
thorough, ami he took up that profession, and si, on became an able engineer. He came 
Wot in 1857, locating in Petersburg, and began in the employ of the PeoriaA Oquawka 
Railroad, now a branch of the C . B. .V < v >. Railroad, as civil engineer, and contii 
it some three years ; then engaged with the Tonica & Petersburg, now a branch of the 
C. 4 A. Railroad; here he served a- civil engineer until the fill of 1858, when he 
bought and began to publish a paper known as the Menard Index. He continui 
proprietor and editor of this paper till 1863, when he received the appointmen 
Quartermaster of the I02d I. V I. : this position he held till the close of the war In 
the fall of L865, he was elected County Clerk of Menard Co.. and appointed Master in 



696 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Chan ( unty Clerk one term and Master ii Be 

was appointed Chief Engineer of the Springfield A North-Western Railroad in 1-7". 
tilling this position until 1873. The man) prominent ami responsible positions thai 
have be* d confided to bim have been filled with credit He married Clara, daughter oi 
John McDougall, oi Oneida Co N S Dec 24, I860. She is n lady of culture and 
fine Bocial qualities; they have a beautiful residence, finely located, and a promising 
family <>t'.-i.\ children. 

C L HATFIELD, lumber, Peteraburj \ ron and Martha Stoul Hal 

field; was born in I., Aug. 17. 1845. His parents gave him the advan- 

if a thorough education. After attending district Bchool for a time, he began at 
North Sangamon Academy, and, in 1865—66, attended the Illinois Colleg J i 
\iil( ; thence to Lincoln University, >>\' Lincoln, 111., where he took a thorough a 

lating in 1868. Shortly after, he removed to Caldwell Co., Ky., where he 
appointed Principal of the Bethlehem Academy, and after a year returned t Pi 
burg and embarked in the dry-goods business, which he continued until January, 1875 
when be engaged in teaching near Lincoln, 111., ami was appointed Principal of the 

Iwell High School the following fall. In the fall <>t' 1876, he was appointed 

Principal of the Graded Scl 1 of Petersburg In the fall of 1-77. he embarked in 

the lumber business with his father, the firm being A \ C. L. Hatfield, and has 
continued in this business, but on his own account Biace April, 1^7'.' He is a man of 
fine mental powers and good business ability. He has been married twict — first to 
M Mattie K. Edgar, of Lincoln, III.. Aug. 30, 1868; Bhe died Dec. 15, 1874, leav- 
ing two children. May 1 1. 1878, he married Miss Ella A. Fisher, of Petersburg, 111.; 
they have one child. They are active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, ami h<- has served a.- Elder Binoe 1874. 

JOHN A III IRD, farmer; I'. <». Petersburg; was hum in Newport, N. H., 
Nov. .28, 1806, where he was raised and Bohooled. He is the boh of Peter ami 

Meribah (Atw \< Hard, who were also natives of New Hampshire. During early 

life, he learned the trade of a clothier, which he Boon abandoned, as his inclinations were 
toward agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Elizabeth Jewett, of his native place, 
Jan. 30, 1828. He then took charge of the home farm, which he manag -<\ until 1 - - 
when he emigrated to [llinois, settling in Cass Co., where he remained until 1844, when 
they removed i" Petersburg. He took charge of the clothier's department of the 
woolen mill, continuing there some two years; then removed to where he now resides. 
Mrs Hurl died Ma) 13, 1872. They ha. I three children— Martha, John J., who 
died in the army, ami Celania C, now Mrs. James B. Dickerson, who is the only sur- 
viving' child. John A. Hurd is an enterprising, benevol nt ami highly 
citizen, Hi- home farm consists of 160 acres of tine land. 

GEORGE HUDSPETH, farmer; P. <> l' erel urg; ne of the piona 
Menard <'".. was born in Madison C" . Ala.. Inly 28, 1815. His father died when he 
was hut I I months old, ami then hi- mother and family, consisting of five children, 
removed to Overton Co., Tenn., remaining there until 1822, when the) removed to 
Illinois, locating in Jefferson Co., and in 1823, in Menard Co., and began t" prepare a 
home. George remained with his mother and family until 1833, when he began doing 
business for himself. He was married May 10, 1836 I' _ \un Jarvis, also "I" 
Menard Co. ; they are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. 
During his early lite. Bchool advantages were limited. ]]• nun - of fine land. 

He has always taken an active pari in all matters pertaining t" the good of the com- 
munity in which he ha- lived. Mr. and Mrs. Hudspeth are now living i" see thi 
fulness ami prosperity of their children. The) are and have been active workers in 
the Church for upward of fort 

ALMON HURD, farmer P " Petersburg ; son of Hiram and Esther Patten) 

Hurd, who are nativ* N « Hampshire. The former wa« born dune :;. 1800, and 

the hitter Dec. 22, 1804 The) were married Jan. 26, 1826. They have now lived 

ther for over fifty-thi They came Weal with their family in 1855. Almon is 

the Onl) BOO and was born in Sullivan Co., N II . March 13, 1838, and ha- a. 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT 697 

resided with his parents, and, Bince their coming West, has superintended the affairs of 
lus parents. I ie married Mary J., daughter of James Miles, a prominent pioneer of 
Menard Co. They were married Oct. 31, 1867. They have a uon and a daughter. 

Mr. Ilurd owns 1 'ill aei 

JUDGE BREESB JOHNSON, attorney, Petersburg; son of Philip and Mary 
Johnson ; is a native of Frederick Co.. Va., where lie was raised and educated. After 
obtaining a good education, he began teaching school and reading medicine. A year 

anil a hall' later, he was persuaded !>Y his brother to abandon medicine, and take up the 
Study of law with him, and. after studying under his brother, W. 11.. he began under 
(Jen. Brisco G. Baldwin, of Stanton, Va. His desire to become an able attorney caused 
him to apply himself diligently, an i he became a well-read lawyer, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1835. He took up the practice of law in his native county, and soon won a 
good reputation. Mr. Johnson came to Menard Co. in 1861, and bought land, upon 
which he resided for a time, lie came and located in Petersburg in 1870, since which 
time he has given his attention to the practice of law. 

THOMAS S. K.\< >LES, attorney and counselor at law ; is a native of Menard Co-, 
111., and was horn about six miles east of Petersburg Sept. 8, 1850. Hi- father, Asa 
K miles, was born in the State of Indiana Nov. 19, 1818, and was married to 
Dorcas Stone in 1837, in Indiana. She was born in Kentucky in 1823; they emi- 
grated to .Menard Co., 111., in 184S, where Asa Knoles became a leading citizen, stock- 
dealer and farmer. Although not a graduate, he was a man of more than ordinary 
intelligence, and kept pace with the events of the day. Dorcas Knoh's. as wife, mother, 
neighbor and Christian, was a model, and truly consistent ; she was beloved and 

med by all who" knew her. and died A.Ug. 27, 1857. Shewasthe mother of eleven 
children, seven boys, all living, and four izjirls, of whom hut one is living. Asa Knoles 
died Nov. 12. 1863. Their remains repose in Bee < r rove burying-ground, in the 
northeast part of Menard Co. Of the seven boys, five were soldiers in the late war. 
among whom we mention the Hon. S. S. Knoles. The subject of this sketch was 
thrown on his own resources at the age of 13 ; was married to Miss Laura E. Hart in 
1S72 ; admitted to the bar in 1873; he is the author of a political speech on "The 
Functions of Money," and of" Moses was not mistaken." both productions of consid- 
erable merit ; he was a candidate for Clerk of the Superior Court in 1878, receiving 
upward of 17,000 votes. Four children have been born to T. S. and L. E. Knoles — 
Isabelle Grace, the oldest, deceased ; Tully C; Nellie Hart, deceased ; C. Rollin. now 
three months old. 

S. S. KNOLES, editor, Petersburg; was born in Gibson (Jo., Ind.. Matvh 20, 
1840, and during his early life, obtained a fair education. He came to Illinois, with his 
father, in 1846; he read law with N. M. Broad well, of Springfield, for a time, then 
with Hon. T. W. McNeely, of Petersburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Dur- 
ing the late war. he enlisted with the 1 1 1th I. V. I., ami served three years as Sergeant 
During his service, he participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, and 
was severely wounded. He lay a prisoner for several months at Andersonville, and at 
Mobile. In 1865, he was elected Treasurer of Menard Co., and reelected in 1867, 
Berving four years. Iii 1870, he was elected to represent Cass and Menard Cos in the 
Twenty-seventh General Assembly. In duly. 1878, he became one of the proprietors 
ami editors ot the Petersburg Democrat, which was established by C. Clay, in 1859, as the 
Menard Axis. In 1868, it was purchased by a joint-stock company, and edited h. 
M. B. Friend, and then took the name of the Petersburg Dmnocrit. In 1871. K F 

McElwain became editor and proprietor. En L877, A. B. Mick became the proprietor 
and editor, continuing such until Mr. Knoles became a partner, since which time it 
has been under the exclusive control and editorial management of Mick & E£nole8. It 
has a large and flourishing circulation. In politics, Democratic. 

UFA'. ROBERT MILLER, minister and County Superintendent of Schools, 
Petersburg; was born Feb. 3, 1838, in I'ctis Co., Mo., near the present site of the 
city of Set alia ; his father, William A.Miller, was born in Kentucky in 1804, and 
emigrated to Missouri in 1820 ; he was a p ilittoian and legislator of some notoriety, he 



698 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

died in 1847 ; his wife the mother of the subject of this sketefa . whose maiden name 
was Mitchell, w.i- born May 13, 1805, on the French Broad River in Tennessee; lu-r 
father, Capt Thomas Mitchell, removed to Missouri in 1H 1, and together with a few 
others, lived three yean in "1.1 Ft. Cole, in what i- now Cooper Co. : Daniel Boone «;i« 
for -"Hi' time an inmate of Cole's Fort, and died in that section of the country; Mrs 
Miller (noV a widow i- living with a boo in Oregon. The Bubjecl of these notes 
received his early education at the district schools, which he attended until be was 16 
yean old, when li" entered Chapel Hill Collegi M ind began a regular classical 
course, but lacked one year of completing it ; he then commenced the Btudy <>f medi- 
cine, to which be closely applied himself for eighteen months and thru abandoned it ; 
he moved to Petersburg in 1874, where he has since resided. Mr. Miller joined the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church in September, 1858; was licensed to preaoh in 1860, and 
ordained in 1864; be has spent fourteen years in teaching, and was appointed Superin- 
tendent of Schools for Menard Co. in January, l s 77. and elected to the office in the 
fall of the same y< ir, bj a majority of 913, the largest majority ever given in the 
county, the next largest being iil<»-, he is Pastor of the C. P. Church, of Petersburg, 
one of the largest and most prosperous in the city. Mr. Miller was married Dec 24, 
1856, to Miss C A. Riche, in Buchanan Co., Mo.; they bave six children living 
girls and one boy, and one boy, George Mitchell, was killed by the cars March 25, I87U 
aged H» years and - months; the nine- of those living are as follows : Sarah M 
Mollie A.. Emma E., Leyria A.. Rosa P. and Robert l> I' 

A. E. MICK, Petersburg; was born in Tip] C Ind., Deo 22, 1837, 

where he continued to reside until arriving; at the age of 1 1 years, when his mother 
died, leaving a family "I' seven children, of whom he was tin' eldest ; in the year I - 
he was taken by his lather to Fountain ('".. where he was reared into manhood ; he 
attended school at Shawnee Academy, Wabash College, and Indiana Asbury University, 

receiving a liberal education; at the age of 21, he engaged in teaching scl 1. which 

he followed about four years, in the States of Indiana ami Illinois; he located in 1' 
burg in May, 1862, ami. in 1864, was elected County Surveyor, filling that office until 

1 when he w;i~ elee-eil ColllltY Clerk of M'lial'i CoUOty, wllhh he he'nl inr a t'TIIl 

nl' four years II.- was married t" a daughter of Milo W 1. .June 15, 1865, at 

Petersburg, 111. In 1870, he obtained license t" practice law. and was admitted to the 
Menard County bar that year, following tic profession until tl, if 1874. wh«u 

he located in Southeastern Kansas, aid booh built u\> an extensive practice in W 
ami Neosho Cos. ; he purchased the Petersburg Democrat, the oldest ami largest pap r 
in Menard <'".. July 1. H77. and moved hi- family hack to Peters org the following 
fall, where he has since 1 n prominently connected with that paper. 

1» T MORRIS, harness dealer, Petersburg; Bon of William .1. ami Jem i ma 
I.' N| ris; was born in Butler (''».. Ohio, Sept. 18, 1845; in 1855, h 

brought to Menard <",,. by his parents, where they have since resided; during his eurly 
life, he obtain* il a g iod business education anil learned the trade of a harness maker ; 
he engaged in the harness and saddlery business on his own account in 1875, and, 
a finished aid careful workman, has built up a flourishing trade, and keeps a large Btock 

Idles ami harness of his own manufacture. He married Miss Ruth 
Menard <"■•.. 111.. June 7. 1866; they have a family of two promising children. 

CAPT C I'. McDOUGALL, grocer, P< firm of McDougall A Stith ; 

was born in Oneida Co., \ V . Aug. 11. 1838; during his early life he obtained a 

business education in the city of Boston; he came to Petersburg, 111., in I 
II i Dtered the army in December, 1861, as a private, ami participated in many ol 

ere battles of the war ; was wounded during the battle of Murfreesboro ; ho 
rest t" tic office of Captain, ami was mustered out in September, 1865; after the war, 
I ngaged in various business enterprises until 1872, when heembarkid in the 

business with one -I. F. Parvin, now dece Bed; hi- present partnership was formed 

in May, i . firm, thej are well known and, through their fine assortment of 

and nueei Bware, and their uprightness in dealing, have built up a flourishing 

trade. Capt. Mi Dougall now officiates as Captain of the Petersburg Company of 






PETERSBURG PRECINCT. 699 

Stun Militia; he is a social, genial and much respected citizen. Il«' married Miss 
Almira E3. Wot. of Greenview, in this county, -Ian. 31, 1864 ; tin} have a family of 
four children. 

EDWARD M. MORRIS, wagon-maker, Petersburg; son of William .J. and 
Jemima M. Ratliff) Morris; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1852; 1"' oame 
with his parents to Menard Co. in L855 ; during his early life school advantages were 
limited: he learned his trade under A. W. Stoker, and began business on his own 
account in 1^7.~>; he began by letting nothing but first-class work leave his -hop. and, 
through his mechanical ability, industry and energy, lias placed himself in bis prea nl 
flourishing condition. 

11. W. MONTGOMERY, Btock-dealer, Petersburg. Son of Samuel and Mary 
(Bailey) Montgomery; was born in Adair Co., Ky., June 30, I^l'm. and brought to 
Illinois by his parents in L829, settling in Cass Co., where he was raised a farmer, 

receiving a g 1 common-school education. After lie became of age, he took charge of 

the home farm, remaining with his father until about -•"> years of age. He married 
Miss Emily B. Wilson, formerly of Ohio. dan. Hi. 1850. They settled in Menard Co., 
near Petersburg in 1850, ami engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in stock- dealing. 
He is a man of large means, public-spirited, benevolent, and much respected. They 
have a family of four children. 

JAMES MILES, farmer and stock-dealer ; P.O. Petersburg. Son of G ge U. 

and -lane | McCoy Mile-, who were among the first settlers of Menard Co. ; George i . 
Was horn in St. Mary's Co., Mil.. March 20, 1796 and came with his parents to the 
Territory id' Illinois in 1816; they firet Beetled in what is now St. Clair Co., where 
they remained for a time ; thence to White Co.. and there George U. married Miss 
danc McCoy in 1821, and Nov. !'.">. 1 8 22, dame- was horn. In 1825, they removed 
into wdiat is now Logan* Co., where they remained until L836, when they removed into 
Sangamon Co. , thence, in 1840, to Petersburg, where James and his father have Bince 
lived. Jame.-' mother having died Dec. 15, 1850 she left three children), Oct. 21, 
1851, his father married Mrs. Catharine Early, of Sangamon Co. ; he still survive.-, ami 
now. at the ripe age of 7 1. resides with James, who is a prominent farmer and siock- 
dealer. His faun consists of 166 acres of line land, adjoining the town of Petersburg. 
His wife was Miss Anna Smith, of this county : they were married dan. 5, 1845, and 
have a family BOW living of live children. Mr. Miles is one of the well to-dc ami enb r- 
prising farmers of Menard Co.. always assisting in such matters as pertaio to the welfare 
of tin' community. 

JACOB MERRELL, farmer; 1'. <>. Petersburg. So,, of Andrew and Elizabeth 
Stout) Merrell; was bom in Mason Co., Ky., March 9, 1806, where he was also raised. 
II, came to this State with his parents in 1832; tiny settled where Jacob now lives ; 
and. in examining the location of the farm, his father admired the place ami told JaCib 
he wanted to he buried on the place, pointing out the location. At his death, which was 
in 1835, Jacob did a- his father requested; and. in 1859, bis mother was laid away by 
hi- Bide. Jacob Mi rrell has lived a long, eventful life, and the high esteem in which he 
i- held by his fellow-citizens is a satisfaction to him in his old age; he has now arrived 
to the ripe old age of 7 1 years, while his physical condition is remarkably good. His 
wife wa- Mi— Elizabeth Rumford, of Ids native county ; they were married in October, 
1833; tlm\ have raised a family of three ohildren. Tiny own 240 acres of tine land - 
a part of the old homestead farm. 

H. W. MASTERS, State's Attorney, Petersburg; i- a native of Morgan Co., III., 
horn Sept. II. 1845; bod of Squire I>. ami Lucinda Foui era, who were 

pioneers of this county. He wa- raised Dpi D a farm, and received his early education 
at a district scho,,l. In 1861 and 1862, he attended the North Sangamon Academy; 
after which, he attended Illinois College at Jacksonville ; theme to Michigan University, 
where he completed a tine academical education ; then taught School for several years. 
In 1867, he began to read law under the direction of W. McN< elj . was admitted to the. 
bar in 1868, and began the practice of hi- chosen profession in Garnett, Kan .and. after 
one year, he returned to Menard Co. and took up arming, but through his ability and 



7"" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

popularity was, in 1872, elected to tl 3 Attorney for Menard • '■ and 

re-elected in L876 He married Bmma J., daughter of Rev. D. Dexter, of Brattleboro, 
Vr Sept. 10, 1867 ; they have a family of three children livii 

B. 1'. MONTGOMERY, Btock-dealer, Petersburg; born in Adair Co., Ky.. 
June 1 I. 1822 . son of Samuel and Mary Bailey M< ntgomery; they came fr< m Ken- 
tucky to M '.. 111., in l v i".i. BetUing upon a farm, where the] Bpent the remainder 
of tr:.ir days. Mr. Samuel Montgomery was industrious and successful, and left a 

I! P. and lii- brother II. W. began farming and stock-deal'ng together, and, 
like many others, met with i B. F. lu>t all he bad, and then began anew, and, 

by untirii ined what he lost, and has gradually inert ised hi< 

property; he is one of the substantial and most reliable stock -dealers of Central II 
having dealt in Btock fur thirty year-. He married Martha A., daughter of Th 

II, a prominent pioneer of Menard C Oct 24, L854; they have a family of 
thr. e children. 

• I MoRUTLEDGE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Petersburg; was born in 
II' derson Co., Ky., Sept. -'.•. L815; his parents emigrated from South Carolina 
to whit is now Menard Co. in 1826. Mr. McR. well remembers when this count] 
inhabited by roving hand- of Indians, with now and then an adventurous pioneer; ha 
has been an active helper in all enterprises pertaining to the good of the community; 
farming and stock-raising has been his principal business, and he has accumulated ■ 
be cow owns a fine farm, consisting of 200 acres, which is the result of 
his i wn industry. He married Miss M trgaret C. Harris, of Morgan Co., Ill . Aug 19, 
1841 : she was born in Overton Co., Tenn., Nov. 18, 1820; they have a family of eight 
children— three suns and five daugl 

THOMPSON WARE McNEELY was born at Jacksonville, 111.. Oot 5, A. I». 
his lather, Robert T. McNeely, a native of Kentucky, was of Irish and So >tcfa 

:it. and hi< mother, Ann Maria Ware, also a native of Kentucky, was of English 

ut. in 1839, Mr. McNeely's mother died, and soon after, he removed with his 

fa her to Menard Co.; after one year spent at .Jubilee College near P ia, and four 

Lombard University at Galesburg, Id., Mr. M N graduated with the 

A. B. at the last-named college in L856, and the same college, in 1859, con- 
ferred upon him the degree of A. M. ; he began the study of law. July, L856, and was 
admitted t<> practice in August, 1857, at Petersburg, III., where he has resided ever 
since; he attended the Law Department of Kentucky University at Louisville during 
the winter of where he graduated in March, 1859 In November, 1861, he 

lected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of llliti"is from Menard and 
in which bud 1 a> a member; in 1868, be was elected as a P 

oember of Congress from the Ninth District, composed of the oounti 
M . ' ii Pulton, McDonough, Schuyler, Boown and Pike, and was ro- 

1 from the same District in 1870, serving from March I. 1869, to March I. I 
In November, l^Ti'. he was married to ^li — M. II. Deriokson, daughl r of Hon. L L 

kson, of Berlin, Md. After lea\ Mr. McNeely resumed the t>r a 

of law. He is now the Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee. 

MARTIN NEFF, farmer; P. O Petersburg; burn in Rockingham C Va*, 
I' 18, 1813, and i> the w>n >>l' Henry and Barbara (Burk holder Neff; he is ol 
German origin. His wife was Miss Helena Bowers, of his native county; they were 
married June 20, 1844. Thej same to Illinois in 1854, locating where hen 
M Neff died Feb. •». L868; they had raised a familj of six Mi Neff is consid 

f the enterprising and well-to-do citixens <^\' M II owns 22 

nd. situated three miles from Petersburg. 

J. W NEWCOMER, physician J - . md Maria B 

:n in Chesl i C Penn . Sept. 17. 1838, where he a and 

- academical education; after which he entered Jefferson M Colli 

Pniladelphia, graduating in 1864 He then entered the regular service as a medical 
officer ofthe N D rtment. After » of eighteen months, he resigned and 

some time in looking for a location. Being favorably im P 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT 701 

and its people, he located here in 1866. Hi- uprightness of character gave the pi 
confidence, and his gradual increase of practice is evidence of his skill. He is a mem- 
ber of the State Medical Association, and President of the Tri-State Society District 
of Brainard). H o married Miss B. Jennie, daughter of Isaac White, a pioneer of this 
county, Dec. 5, 1867 ; they have a family of six. 

JUDGE .1. II. PILLS BURY, retired, Petersburg; son of Alpha ancl Mai 
(Caverno) Pillsbury; was born in Stafford Co., X. II.. A.ug. '■'>. 1830. Hi- father died 
in 1831, leaving ;i wife ami two sons. In 1836, thej emigrated to Menard Co., III., 
bought land ami began to prepare a home. \t this time, it was a wild ami desolate 

country, ami none but those po ed with a firm will and determination, coupled with 

industry, could live the life he has lived. Pew can look back over their past lite with 
more satisfaction than he. a- to-day he enjoys the honor and respect of all who know 
him. During his early life, he received a good education at Jacksonville College He 

1 in the i inn of Petersburg in L854, and read law under the instruction of Hon. 
T. k. Harris; after which he taught school ti>r a time, and in the fall of 1 ^."»."» was 
elected School Commissioner, Berving six years. In 1856, he was admitted to the bar, 
and. in L857, elected Police Magistrate, ami appointed Master in Chancery, serving in 
the latter office eight years. In the fall of 1 861, he was elected County Judg 

Menard Co. ami re-el ed in 1873. His brother died in January of L852 ; his 

mother survived until April 3, L868. The Judge married Miss Susan M. Gardner dan 
.'i, 1861 ; she is a daughter of Hiram K. Gardner, a prominent pioneer of Sangamon 
Co. They have two children living — Joseph B. and Su-au H. 

MRS. ELIZABETH POTTER, firmer, p. < >. Tallula; widow of the late 

Elijah Potter; was horn in Jackson Co., Teun.. Oct. 30, 1818, the daughter of Will- 
iam and Elizabeth Graham Greene), who emigrated to Menard Co., 111., in 1- 
locating upon the farm where she now resides. Sept. L5, L 833, she was man; 
Mr. Elijah Potter, who was horn in White Co.. 111., pel'. '1 1 . 1813, and located with 
his parents in what i> now Menard Co. in 1819. He began doing for himself, a poor 
man. with nothing but a determined mind and willing hands, but, in a few years, it 
could he seen that Mr. Potter was destined to be a prominent and a wealthy man ; 

gradually followed his efforts, until he had amassed a fine fortune ; he assisted in 

any matter pertaining to the g 1 of the community ; he had bought ami improved 

nearly 1 ,< M m t acres; March 23, 1876, he died, mourned by a large circle of acquaint- 
ances, friend- and relatives ; he had two daughters, one of whom now n .-ides with her 
mother; Mrs. Potter now superintend- the farm ; -he is a lady of tine mental p" 
and a great grandmother, but as Bprightly as many young* r women. 

W. B. PEAKE, retired, Petersburg; son of Thomas and Sarah M. (Adams 
Peake, who were of English descent ; was born in Loudoun Co.. Va., Sept. ii. 1- 
during his early life, school advantages were very limited, but. by home .study and observa- 
tion, he became a practical business man ; he entered mercantile life as clerk when quite 
young, and. after live years' experience, became a partner and accumulated a good pro- 
perty; in 1837, he came to Illinois, locating in Menard Co.. ami opened a general - 

ilisbury; he located in Petersburg in 1844, and for .several years was a merchant 
II wife wa- Miss Jane P. Powell, of Fairfax Co.. Va.; they were married Nov. .",. 
1836; she was bom 0ct..2, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Peake enjoy fine health and are 
Bprightly, social and genial . their combined ages equal 1 I" years. 

ELI REEP, farmer; P. ( ). Petersburg; is a native of Harrison Co., End. ; born 
Jan. 21, 1840 ; during his early iife, his school advantages were limited: he came to 
Illinois in 1857, and engaged as a firm laborer, which he followed in summer and 
att.nd,, 1 school during winters; in this way. he acquired a good business edueation 
He enlisted in the army in 1862 with the L06th 1. V. I. ; he served to the close of the 
war, upward of three \' H-. and escaped without injury. kfter the war. he returned 
to where he now lives nid engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-dealing, in which 
business he was for a time vci II - wife, Anna 1!. i- the daughter of 

Thomas P. and A n ni Beck) Dowell; Mr. Dowell came from Virginia in 1827, and 
has been an eye-witness to the great changes in this region from wild forests and praii 



702 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHBB 

n thickly settled county; the trial- and privations of a pioneer lit'.- ar.- yet fresh in lii.s 
memory; bis wife died May 23, 1863, a faithful wife and devoted mother ; Bhe had 
raised a family of ten. Mr. Dowel] .-till resides upon the "Id homestead, where h 
tied in a very early day, and has an anoient-looking orchard which furnished the lirst 
fruit in Menard <'". ; many of tin- trees are over three feet in diameter ; he and his 
trees have grown old together, ami their career has alike been a lun- and fruitful 
Mr. Dowel! has nnw reached the ripe age of 7'.' years. Tin- subject of this Bketch, 
in ]"!'■'>. was elect. m1 t.i tin- responsible position of Assessor and Treasurer of Menard 
< lounty. 

J. r? RICHTER, marble dewier, Petersburg; was born in Germany Oct. L5, 
1834, and came t<> this country in 1849, locating in Richmond, [nd. ; there he] 
the trace ,,; ;i gtone and marble cutter, remaining' some three years, then went to Day- 
ton, Ohio, where li'- finished his trad.- under tie- old, established firm of La Dow A 
Hamilton, which gives him the reputation he justly deserves of being a tine marble- 
worker; he followed his trade in Springfield, 111., for a number of year-: he established 
himself in the marble busiuess at Petersburg in 1878, and i- now prepare. 1 to do a- tin.- 
Work at a- reasonable rat.- as any on.- in Central Illinois. He ha- married twice, first 

to Miss Mary Abbott, of Dayton, Ohio, F<-l>. •'!. 1858; Bhe died al Lincoln, III., in 
1866, leaving two children; hi- second wit'.- was a Bister of hi- tir-t wife; thej were 
manic. I in August, 1871, by whom he has otic child. 

NORMAN K. RAN KIN, lumber dealer, Petersburg; was born in Banooc 
III., Dec. -1. 1847, and was taken to MoLean <".> by bis parents while quite y 
and th.-ie raised and educated at the Wesleyan University. At the age of 16 he 
entered the army of the late war. enlisting with the 150th I. V. I., in February, 1~ 
was discharged at Camp Butler after a service of one year. Hi- parents having died 
while he was quite young, he was thrown upon his own resources, and by hi- own 
efforts obtained an education. Be began doing business on his own account in ! 

- r brook, McLean Co., embarking in the lumber business, and there contin- 
uing for a time, then engaging in the stock business; in this he met with good mi 

It, 1877, he married Anna, daughter of Squire l>. and Lucinda Masters, who 

are prominent pi sera of Menard Co. ; she is a graduate of the Illinois Fenia I 

of Jacksonville, and has given considerable attention t.> .locution, having given several 
readings with marked success, and is a lady »f refinement and talent ; they hav< 
child— Ralph V. They located in Petersburg in 1878, and Mr. Rankin engaged is 
the lumber trade, firm of Mast rs & Rankin. 

PHILIP RAINEY, miller, Petersburg; was horn in Boydton, \ 
L829, where he was raised and schooled. Bis first business experience was in connection 
with the post office at that place, where In- continued -ev.-ral years. In 1849, he 
removed to California, and remained some four i^.-.l in mining and mercantile 

business . during this time, his father died. In 1 B5 l. he retur 1 1 e, and lived with 

his mother until the close of the late war II ime to Petersburg in 1 v <'>7. and >h rtly 
afterward purchased an interest in the mill of which he is now sole proprietor. II- 
. ; ;t out his partner in 1869, and has since devoted his entire attention to grain- 
dealing and milling. He has, by his fair dealing and business qualification, won for 
him- I reputation. He married Mi-- Mania II Rourke, of thi- eounty, 

24, 1869; -h.- i- the daughter of Col. C. Rourke, of this place. They have a family 
..f four children. 

JOHN H and HENRY SCHIRDINO, farmers and stock dea era; I' <» P 
-on- of Henry and Helen M Zurbord Schirding John was born in the 
Province of Han.. my, July 24, 1828, and cam- to thi- country in 1847. 

Heir -.. horn in Banover Oct 12 I, with his parents tins 

country m 1848, and |..in.d John B. in opening their present h ■ farm, which now 

consists of 78] - fine fuel as may be found in Menard < '•>. Their paint- -till 

live with th.-in. and hav.- arrived at a ti] Id age, their combined ages being 160 

years, and enjoy fine health for ..Id people. Benry married Mi-- Marj C Behma, of 
hi.- native country, dune 26, L864. They have a family of three. Th.y are enterpru 



PETERSBURG PRECINCT 703 

benevolent and practical farmers, enjoying the reputation of being much respected 
citizens. 

ISAAC C. STITH, of the firm of McDougall & Stith, Petersburg; is the bod of 
Thomas M. and Susanna (Colson Stith; he was born in this county March 11, 1848, 
and raised upon a farm, obtaining such education as could then be obtained. Be mar- 
ried Miss Man B. Bohimer, of this eounty, Jan. 25, 1-71 . she was horn in this county 
Aprils. 1849. They have a family of two children. For a time, Mr. Stith followed 
teaming in and about Petersburg, and in May, 1878, engaged in the grocery business 
with his present partner. They are live business men. and keep none but the best 
grade of goods. 

J. M. SAWYER, station agent for the 0. & A. R. II. Co., Petersburg; son of 
Josiah and Harriet R. I Bates) Sawyer; was born in Tazewell Co., 111.. April 28, 1846, 
where he spent his early life, growing up on a farm, and receiving a good bus 
education. During the late war. he enlisted with the 1th Mass. Cav., and served some 
twenty-two months, and was honorably discharged ; he then returned to Tazewell Co., 
111., and learned telegraphing. He came to Petersburg in 1*<>7, and engaged with the 
Jackson branch of the C. & A. II. El. as station agent and operator; this position he 
has since held with satisfaction to all concerned. He married Miss Elizabeth M. Walker, 
of this place, May 1, 1870. They have two children — Harriet C. and Angeline M. 

G. W. SHEPHARD, liveryman, of the firm of Shephard & Rutledge, livery and 
sale stables. Petersburg; son of. James and Margaret i Parke) Shephard, of Scotch-Irish 
origin ; was born in Menard Co. Feb. I, 1847 ; he was raised on a farm, and educated 
at district schools; obtained a good business education, and for a number of years taught 
school. He settled in Petersburg in 1872, and taught a nine-months' school, then 

bought a half-interest in this stable, which is now well stocked, and has acquired a g 1 

class of custom. 

A. W. STOKER, foundry. Petersburg; son of William and Sarah (Maxwell' 
Stoker, who located near Springfield, III., in 1847; A. W. was born in Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, May 'I'l. \<1W ; he learned the trade of a machinist under the instruction of hi> 
father, and has since continued it ; he I( cated in Springfield in 18 IG, where ho followed 
his trade; in 1849, he came to Petersburg and established a Bhop, which he managed 
some two years, then returned to Springfield and engaged with the Western Railroad 
Company some eight years ; he then settled in Petersburg, where he has since lived an 
industrious and well-to-do citizen : he conducts the manufacturing of the wheat drill 
known as the Blunt Press Drill; also of plows, in connection with a foundry and gen- 
eral machine-shop. He is a member of the M. E. Church. He married Miss Susan 
Dickerson, of Indiana. May ti. 1849; they have one child — Emma, who is now Mrs. 
Prof. M. C. Connelly. 

\\. X. STEVENS, attorney, Petersburg; son of Stephen and Elizabeth .1. 
(Grindle) Stevens; was born in Orleans Co., N. V.. Aug. 10, 1852; he came with 
parents to Tazewell Co., 111., in 1856, where they lived until 1865, when they came to 
Menard Co.; he Was educated at Pekin, obtaining a good busineBS education, and 
deciding upon the profession of law for a calling; he began study in 1873 under 
McNeely (a prominent attorney of Petersburg . and was admitted to the bar in l v 7~> 
he continued with McNeely until 1877, when he began the practice of his profession ; 
he was appointed Master in Chancery in 1876. Mr. Stevens is well read, practical, and 
fast becoming prominent in the profession. He married Emma, daughter of Col. 
Rourke (of this place) April 17, 1876. 

BARMAN TEMANN, tanner: P. <». Petersburg; was born in the Province of 
Hanover, Germany, Feb. 6, 1824, where be served seven years in the regular army; he 
came to this country in 1853, and located at Petersburg ; he began as a laborer, and thus 
continued until he bad accumulated some means with which to purchase a small farm ; he 
bought and sold several times, finally locating where he now resides in 1864, and has a 
fine farm of 265 acres. He married Miss T utter Luken, of his native country, in Jan- 
uary. 1861 : they have three children living. Mr. Teetuan came to this country with 
comparatively little mean-, but by industry and energy has accumulated a tine property. 



7»'4 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

AARON THOMPSON, farmer; 1'. 0. P of Adsod and Elizabeth 

Bldredgi Thompson; was born in ('ape May Co., V .1 .1 m 28, 1810, where 1 
rawed and educated ; he came to Illinois in 1 837, locating in Sangamon Co., and, for a 
time, taught Bchool, and afterward entered i general si rk ; Mr. I 

here he now resides in 1848, and Sept. 21, 1848, married Miss Sarah J. Car- 
son, of Sangamon Co., 111. ; Bhe died < >ct. 1!*. 1 85 t. leaving three children, two of whom 
are now living. Mr. Thou ] • sent wife is Amanda, daughter of Zadoc W. and 

Elizabeth Hill FKon; she was lH.ru in Morgan Co., 111.. Sept. 3, 1827, wh< 
raised and received her education ; Feb. 10, 1848, she married Mr. G a M Obanion, 
a highly respected and prominent man of Morgan Co. ; he di - leav- 

ing one child; April 18, 1856, she was married to Mr. Aaron Thompson, the subji 
tlii- Bketch ; by her he has six children; they are considered among the wealthy citi- 

of Menard Co., and make their wealth a means of comfort ;m<l happiness to them- 

- .-ind to others ; they are Burrounded by ;i pleasant and promising family. 

MRS. MARY J. THOMPSON, farmer; P. O. Petersburg ; daughter of Joseph 
B. and Catharine Hall • L. were early settlers of Menard Co. She was born 

oear Athens, March 16, 1849, and was there raised and schooled. She was married to 
Mr. James II. Thompson Dec 20, 1864 : they located \i|">n the farm where she now 
resides. Mr. Thompson was a prominent pioneer of this county; he pass '1 awaj April 
1 I. 1878. Mr. Thompson had a family of eight by first wife and one by his last wife. 
Hi- left a fine property ; the farm consists of 350 acres of finely improved land, with a 

residence. 

^NSON THOMPSON, County Clerk, Petersburg; son of James H. and Sarah 
Brown Thompson, who are of English origin, and came to Sangamon Co., 111., in 
1 835, and after a time removed to t lass Co , where Anson was b irn, November 'i. 1 9 1 1 
They remived to Menard Co. in 1846, where they passed the remainder of their days. 
She died Nov. 20, L862, leaving a family of seven children, and he died April I. 1878 
They w< r ■ beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew them. The 

■i nt this Bketch was raised upon a farm, and his early education obtained at 

trict scl I, after which he attended Illinois College at Jacksonville. In 1863, he 

Michigan University, where he completed a fine busin tion, and 

returned to Petersburg and entered the store of Brahm & Lanning a> clerk; h< 
tinned there till 1873, when he was elected County Clerk, and re-eleoted in 1-77 

JOHN TICE, County Judge, Petersburg; son of Nicholas and Elizabeth 
Tice, and grandson of Jacob and Susannah M. - Querie Tioe. Bis grandfathi r n 
native of Germany, who came to this country and settled in Maryland in 1756. T 
his father was born March 8, 1786, and raised in Shenandoah Co., Va. In 1806, lii< 
father removed to Ployd Co., Va., engaged in agricultural pursuits and was a soldier of 
the war of 1812; he emigrated with his family to Illinois in 1831, settling in wha 
now Menard Co., and at what is now the vil - In the spring of 1832, be 

purchased a farm at what is now Tice Station, on the SpringGeld & Northwes 
Railroad, where he resided, a prominent farmer, until his death, which occurred I 
II. L856, his wife having died at the nan March II. 1845. Thej were the 

parei bi children. The Bubject of this sketch is the oldest of the family, ami 

was born in Fl \ .,.. Feb 22, 182 He passed his early life in the 1. 

at Tioe Station. During lii< early life, school advantages were limited, but, by 1 
Btudy, In- succeeded in acquiring a good business education. After the death ol his 
parents, the responsibi it\ of educating and looking after the want- of his brothers and 
sisters devolved upon him, and nobly iliil he meel it, hie devotion to them never ce 
till all were amply able to meet thi duties of life. For a number of years Mr 

I as Justice of th( I in 1849 ted to tl ffice of Associate 

of Menard Co., continuing until 1853. In LS55, he was appointed Duputy 
County Surveyor, and for thii i perl rmed the duties of Surveyor, 

almost the entii ibilitj of the office r. sting upon him. In 1857, he wa 

'" 'I"' "'I' M< n ml Co., the official duties of which 

rmed for eight consecuth I lected to the office of Sheriff 






PETER8BURG PREl IM'T. 705 

and Collector of .Menard Co., serving one term, since which time he haa Berved as 
Deputy, until November, L877, when he was elected County Judge. Mr. Tice haa served 
the people of Menard Co., in some public capacity, for aboul thirty years, which, alone, 
testifies to bis worth and popularity. His long and faithful career as an officer he may 
well 1"' proud of, as the duties were performed with credit and honor to himself and 
those he represented; by economy and good financiering, he has amassed a large prop- 
erty, and is benevolent and public-spirited. He married Lydia, daughter of .John and 
Hannah Bowers, of Rockingham Co., Ya.. March 26, 1857. 

ROBERT WORTHINGTON, farmer and stock-dealer; P.O. Petersburg. Son 
of Robert and Ann E. i Whiting WorthiDgton; born in R I >hio, Nov. 8, 1815, 

where he was raised and .schooled. He began business for himself at 21, engaging in 
agricultural pursuits. He has twice married — first, to Eleanor Haynes, of Ross Co., 
Ohio. Nov. 10, 1836, who died Feb. 1, 1839, leaving two children; second, to Miss 
Margaret Clark, of Ross Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1842. They came to Qlinois in the fall 
of 1851, and, in the spring, bought and settled where he now resides, lb' owns 18 > 
acres of fine land; has a hue and beautifully located residence. His family consists of 
nine children by his last wife. 

S, WINTERS, fanner and lumber manufacturer; P. O. Petersburg : was born in 
St. Lawrence Co.. X. Y.. April 4. 1817; son of Nathan and Grace i Kelsey i Win! 
of English origin ; his father died in 1827, and his mother in 1852. During the early 
life of Mr. Winters, he learned the trade of a wagon-maker. He came to Menard Co., 
111., in 1854, locating at Athens, where he followed his trade; ami. in L856, Was elected 
Justice of the Peace. He resigned and removed to where he now lives, in 1857, and 
bought the saw-mill which he still operates : this mill was one of the first in this county, 
and is still in good working order. Here Mr. W. began to do business with a deter- 
mination, and he gradually succeeded in business, and, at different times, bought small 
tracts of land adjoining tie- mill, until now he has a fine farm of 17<l acres. His wife 
was Miss Louisa A. Minkler ; they were married Feb. 24, 1841 ; they have raised a 
family of six. 

W. C. WARING, merchant, Petersburg; son of George G. and Elisabeth (Clark) 
Waring ; was horn in Uoss Co., Ohio. April 'Z. 1841 ; and, at the age of 11, was brought 
by his parents to this county, and raised upon a farm. During his early life, the advan- 
tages lor an education were limited. In 1863, Mr. Waring, emigrated to Pctaluma, 
Cal., remaining but one year : then returned to Menard Co.. and engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He began in mercantile life at Newmanville, Cass ('".. 111. ; there he was a 
successful merchant for three years ; then he came to Petersburg and established his 
present business. Is one of the flourishing merchants of Petersburg, and has a line 
property, and a good trade. He married Jenette, daughter of .James and Mai. 
Shephard, who were among the early settlers of Menard Co. 

SILAS W'A'IKINS. farmer and stock-dealer; 1'. 0. Petersburg; was bom in 
Menard Co.. 111., dan. -'■>, L836 ; Bon of William G. and Jane Denton Watkios. His 
mother died while he was quite young; his father was a prominent pioneer and stock - 
dealer of Menard Co., 111., and died in 1876, leaving a good property. Silas b gan 

doing for himsell while yet a boy, with but a limited sel ling, and by home study and 

practice acquired a lair business education, He has accumulated a fine pre] 
owning 400 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth Elmofe in 1856; she died in 1 

leaving two children. March 1."). 1874, be married Miss Louisa Smith, by wl be 

has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of the Baptist Church 

FRED WILKINSON. Sheriff, Petersburg; son of John ami Sarah (Goble) 
Wilkinson, who were of English extraction, and among the early settlers of Menard 
Co.; was born in this county Aug. 17. 1840, upon the homestead farm at ove, 

where his parents settled in an early day; hi- early education was such as could be 
obtained from the schouls of the neighborhood in which he resided, and he soon became 
proficient in the branches commonly taught ; his father was also his teacher for a con- 
siderable period of time, and under his care he made rapid advancement com- 
mon in those days, some months of' the year were -pent at work on the farm, and the 



706 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

winter month- mainly devoted i" schooling; his youth and early manhood passed with- 
out noteworthy events. At i li<- age of 27, he married, Nov. 19, 186 I M sa N l urj K 
Wade, of this connty; her pan ats, I A. and Louisa M. Wade, were formerly residents 
of Bath Co., Ky. ; be soon began farming, which be followed for several year-: in 
1-7" In- was elected Sheriff "t* the county, and, a1 the expiration of the term 

re-elected. Bis wife died June 23, 1874, leaving two children, but oi f whom is 

now living. Hie official position ha-; been filled with credit and bonor. 

THOMAS WATKINS, farmer; P. 0. Petersburg; among the pioneers of 
id Co., none is better known than the name of Watkios; bis father, Thomas 
Wat kins, was a settler in the Territory of Illinois previous to the war of 1812, and 
during that war served : and obtained money to enter land. The subject of 

this Bketcfa was born near where be now resides Nov. 16, 1824 : he has Been the entire 
rth of tin' county; he served one year in tin' Mexican war: be has accumulated a 
good property ami now owns 310 acres adjoining the town <>t' Petersburg. He married 
Miss Mar) Goldsby 'Ian. 25, 1848; they have raised a family of nine children. 

McCLANE 'WATKINS. farmer, P. 0. Petersburg; Bon of Thomas ami Mary 

ene) WatkinB, among 1 1 1 « - lir.-t white settlers of the Territory of Illinois; they 

came from Kentucky to this Territory before the war of 1812, ami during the war of 

1 - 1 "J he served as a ranger for three years, and settled at Clary's Grove in 1819; If 

hail done much in his time tin- the development of the country, ami hail aocumulal 

g 1 property, which he left to his children. The Bubject of this sketch was horn neai 

where he now resides Dec. 28, 1826, and this has always been his home; his knowl- 

of the early Settlement of Meiianl Co. is thorough ami reliable, ami the nam.- of 
Watkin- ;e- pioneer- is well known throughout Central Illinois. 1 WBS 392 ftCl 

fine land. He has twice married, first to Miss Hannah E. Jones, of this county, Sept 
6 1858; .-he died Oct. 13, 1866, leaving two children ; in 1870, he married hi- pres 
ent wife. 

WILLIAM M WHITE, contractor and builder, Petersburg; is f the 

pioneers of Menard Co Hi came with his parents, Aaron B. and Elisabeth (Mur raj 
White, to this county at a very early day, and well remembers when this was a wild 
region, with but now and then a settler. He has witnessed the entire growth of the 
county. Hi- parents settled at Clary's Grove, and there his father operated a saw- 
mill for a number of years; then settled in Pet trsburg, following contracting and build- 
ing. William chose the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he learned under his 

father. Altera time, his parents removed to Ohio, hut he remained lure and followed 

contracting and building, and many of the principal public and private buildings have 
been erected by him. He was horn near Lexington, Ky., Jan. 30, 1824.. His life 
has bt ii one of industry and energj Hi- wife was Miss Rebecca Perkins; they 
were married April 21, 1846. They raised a large family, seven of whom are now 
living. 

II A. WOOD] nursery, Petersburg; II. A. Wood is a specimen of the Yankees 
oi the Kmpiii Stat.-, born in Cattaraugus Co., V Y.. .June 30, 1842; - f Solomon 

ami Anna Shutnan Wood; the Shuinaiis are of German and the Woods of English 

descent ; Horace's father was a farmer, ami reared II. A to this business; after he had 

attained his manl 1. was engaged Beveral years as traveling salesman, ami wa 

ful in this diieetioii. ami. attracting the attention of Mr. Spaulding, of Springfield, he 
rvic - in! continued with him two years, with credit to himself and to 
tin- satisfaction of hi- employers P 29, 1869, married Lassie Mile-; horn in 
Petersburg March 11. I860; daughter of Maj. Miles; one child — Florence, horn 
April 13, 1-7 1. Sine, hi- marriage, he ha- been engaged in the nursery businee 
hi- own account ; keeps tl assortment of fruit ami shade tie.-. Bhrabberj and 

hardy plant-. Mr. Wood'.- long experience in the business enables him to give satisfac- 
tion t" hi- customers, and from bis upright ami manly deportment, ha- secured tie 
will and liberal pa': the people I- a member of the Christian Church. 

\IMIIl I! STOUNO, Justice of th< Peace and insurance agent, Petersburg; 
son of Samuel ami Sophia \ Craven Foung; wa- hom in Montgomery Co., Md 



TALLULA PRECINCT. 707 

Aug. 1. 1847, where he was raised and received his early sel ling. Tn L865, he 

came to Illinois, locating in Jacksonville, and there attended [llinois College, returning 
home in L867. In 1869, he came to Illinois again and settled in Petersburg, and 
engaged in the mercantile business, which he abandoned after a time on account of his 
health. l.n 1876, he was elected Justice of the P< ice to lill a vacancy, and elected 
regularly in 1877, which position he now holds. He is a good business man, of fine 
social qualities, and has won the esteem and respect of all who know him. He married 
Miss Belle Cissel, of his native Stair. April L9, 1870; they have three childn 



TALLULA PRECINCT. 

REV. S. B. AYERS, minister and farmer; P. 0. Tallula; was born in North- 
ampton Co., Penn., Aug. L3, 1811. Early in life, he began preparing for the ministry. 
In L831, he entered Princeton College, graduating in 1 834, and graduating from the 
Theological Seminary in L837. He began the work of the ministry with the Presby- 
terian denomination. In the spring of 1838, he was ordained, and took charge of the 
church at Montague, N. J., whore lie remained three years, thence to Ellenville Ulster 
Co.), where he remained upward of fourteen years. He, with family, came to Menard 
Co., 111., in the fall of 1 v "> I ; here he has since worked diligently in the cause of Chris- 
tianity, and also superintends his home farm, which consists of li'i) acres. lie is now 
the regular minister for the Pleasant Plains Church (which church he was instrumental 
in building). He i.s also a regular minister for the Ashland Church. Mr. Avers has 
had a long and fruitful career in the work of the ministry, and has won the esteem and 
respect of all who know him. lie was twice married; first, to Miss Sarah II. Ib>y, of 
New Jersey, Sept. 1.'!. 1838; she died Sept. .'!. 1851, leaving five children. He married 
his present wile May 17. 1853; her maiden name was Miss Frances B. Parsliall. of 
Orange Co., N. Y. They have five children. 

JOHN E. ACKERMANN, farmer; P. 0. Tallula; was born in Prussia Dec 21, 
l v l!7. where he was raised and schooled; he came to this country in \*~)\. locating in 
.Menard Co., 111., and found employment as a farm laborer; in 1 — • ♦ J T . he had saved up 
quite a little money and bought a piece of land ; he now owns 180 acres of fine land. 
wholly the result of his own energy and industry. His wife was Mrs. Norcis Atter- 
bury, daughter of Geoige Davis, an early settler of the count} ; they were married in 
March. 1857; they had a family of live children, viz., Mary. .Jemima. '. 
deceased . Etta and Jane. 

D. S. BELL, farmer; P. ( ). Tallula; son of A. P.. and Mary I White, Bell, who 
were among the first settlers of this county, ami came from Green Co., Kv., in 1820, 
locating near where D. S. now lives, and where the father died Aug. 7. 1^71': >he 
still survives: the subject of this sketch was born upon the did homestead < >ct. PI. 
1834; he was raised a farmer, which business he has followed thus far through life. 
He has twiee married; first to Margaret B., daughter of Dr. Bennett, of Petersburg, 
Feb. 1. 1854; she died Oct. 10, 1859, leaving one child— Chester W., and May :'. 
lSiif.be married Miss Hannah P. Smedly of this county. During the late war, he 
enlisted with the 11th I. V. [. ; BCrved upward of three years, and participated in 
many of the most severe battles of the war, having many hairbreadth escapes, but 
escaping without a scratch. He removed to Logan ('".in 1866, and, on May -'.'>. 1^7l!. 
his wife died, leaving one child — Sarah A. Mr. Bell now owns fifty-two acres of the 
old home farm and takes care of his aged mother. He is prominently connected with 
the Sunday-school work of this county. He i- an upright, benevolent ami highly 
respected citizen. 

Gk W. S. BELL, merchant, Tallula ; son of Abraham B. and Mary White B U, 
who were early settlers of Menard Co.; was born in Menard Co. Oct. 15, L830, and 
is the third son of a family of Beyen hoys. During his early life, he began tn study for 
the ministry; in L849, he entered Shurtleff College, of Alton, 111., and the same year 

DD 



708 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

to preach in the Baptist Church. March 10, 1854, he married N l -- 
Matilda N. Clayton after which they removed into Scott Co., where he was ordained ■ 
minister and there preached for about t In he then resigned and removed to 

Richmond, Iowa, where he I of a church until I860, thence to Coffey Co., 

Can., and took op agricultural pursuits. In 1862, he enlisted in the 1 2th Kan. V E.,and 
was mustered in a- First Lieutenant and afterward promoted to Captain. He -■ rved in 
tin- army some three years and escaped without a scratch. After the war he returned 
t<> Kansas, where he remained until L868, then came to Boot! Co., 111., ami touk cl 
of th- Baptist Church at Winchester, where ho preached until his health began to tail. 
He came to Tallula in 1870, where he ha- since lived an enterprising merchant and 
farmer. He has a family of five children. 

HENRI C BELL, farmer: P. <>. Tallula; bod of Abraham 15. and Man 

Whit.- Hell, who were among the first settlers of Menard Co. He was horn in this 

county March \'2. 1829; during his early life, he acquired a good common schooling; 

he was raised a fanner and has made agricultural pursuits his business thus tar through 

life lie married Miss Nancy A., daughter of Rev. G. Curry a prominent minister) 

of this county. March 14, 1850 : they have lived an industli >US and upright life, accu- 
mulating a tine property. Tiny own a tine farm ot' 200 acres. They have raised a 
family of five children, vis., Thomas T., born Deo. 31, 1850, and died Nov. 1. \-~:\ 

:t C. born Aug. 10, 1853; Frederick S., born dune 10, 1857; Charles II.. horn 
N 1. 1-."'!'. and John C. hom March 23, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are prominently 
connected with the Baptist Church, and highly respected citizens 

REUBEN CORSON, farmer; P. 0. Tallula; was horn in Cape May Co., N. J., 
June 16, 1831, where he was raised and schooled. He is the bod of Nathan and 
Abigail [Hand) Corson, of English origin. He came with his | [llinois in 

1849, locating in Menard Co. ; here Reuben has lived a well-to-do and much reap ctcd 
citizen, and has made agricultural pursuits his principal business thus far through life. 
He i- industrious and energetic, and has accumulated a good property, consisting of 
l'ihi acres of fine land. II.' married Miss Rachel Nottingham Feb. -'■'•. 1859, the 
daughter of Jonathan and Hannah Smith Nottingham; she was horn in Sangamon 
Co., 111. dan. 17. 1839. Thy have raised a family of five children — Hannah N 
Charles P., Edward E., Bertha and Nathan. Mr. ami Mrs. Corson have been workers 
in the M. E. Church for many years. 

i: R. COUCHMAN, farmer; P.O. Tallula; boo of Benjamin and Millioent 
Coucbman. He was horn in Bourbon Co., K\ . Dec. 13, 1819, and \\a« 
brought by his parents to Morgan Co., III. in 1825, locating Dear where Jacksonville 
now Mind-. His father bought land of Hon. W. M i there K i; Couchman 

was raised and educated. Sept. 30, 1 s M , be was married to S >phia, daughter of Squire 
l» Henderson, of Morgan Co. [n 1850, he bought land in Menard Co., of Jonathan 
i, upon which he located in 1825; he sold this and bought where he now 
lives in 1866 He has a fine farm, consisting of 287 acres. Feb. 17. 1871, his wife 
died, leaving four children Margaret J., David 1!.. William J. and James C. He 
married his present wife, Miss Julia \. Mackintire, of Missouri, April 1. 1875 

CHARLES CRESSE, fanner; P. 0. Tallula; w.i> bom in Cape May C . N .1 , 

<>et. 7. 1812, where he was raised and schooled. He J] its of his early 

life a jting in transient trade a number In l v -".7. his father bought a 

I (Fame .and he was made captain; this be sailed Borne two years. In I 
his father built the vessel Glide, which he sailed some five j - Phe latter 
was a 175-ton vessel. He -died the M. Marcy for a tune. He abandoned the life of a 
sailor, and came to Illinois in 1849, with his family, settling where he no* He 

has a fine |.n m of 24 1 1 is u Ife WSJ Jeooliafa < 're— , of his native COUUty. They 

man ted in November, 1840. She died in July, 1875, leaving a family of fiv< — 
Philip, Judith, Margaret, Anthony and Charles M. 

SAMUEL W. CALDWELL, fanner; P.O. Tallula; was born in Green Co., 

Ky., Jan. 13, 1817; son of John and Elisabeth (Conover) Caldwell; in 1822, his 
father died, and his mother and her five children moved into Adair Co., where they 



TALLULA PRECINC1 70'.* 

resided until 1829, when they came to what is now Menard Co . III., locating at Clary's 
Grove, where his mother died in 1855; only three of the family are now living — Sam- 
uel \V. (the subject of tins sketch), Mrs. Eveline Wyatt, of Tallula, and Mrs. Lydia 
A. Wright, of Cass Co. Mr. Caldwell married Miss Martha A. Bright, April 1. 1 339 ; 
she was born in Christian Co., Ky ., March 14, 1S17; they settled where they now 
reside Bhortly after marrying, at which time this was but a wild and desolate country; 
the trials and hardships of a pioneer life arc yet fresh in their memory; they began in 
life together, with willing hands and determined minds, hut no means; their honeymoon 
was spent quite differently from the custom of the presenl day ; they set out on a wed- 
ding trip from Clary's Gr*ove to where they now live, and togethei built their first 
house, which was a log cabin, l'-!xl4 ; it was completed the same week, and they settled 
in their new cabin home with a happiness not surpassed in any home; with industry 
and perseverance, thej have gradually built themselves up to their present high stand- 
ing ; after assisting their children to property, they yet have 106 acres of land, and 
one of the finest farm residences in Menard Co. ; they are the parents of seven chil- 
dren, three only of whom are now living, viz. — .Mary M. i now Mrs. <i. E. Boston, of 
Morgan Co.), Winfield S. and dame.s B. ; the two latter remain upon the old bome- 
Btead; as a family, they are highly respected. 

GEORGE W. CODINGTON, farmer; P. O. Tallula; son of Joseph and Jane 
E. (Leeper) Codington; was born where he now lives Oct. 11, 1831, upon the old 
homestead where his parents settled in 1831. They came from Barren Co., Ky. ; they 
raised a family of eight children, and improved a large tract of land; they were indus- 
trious, well-to-do and much-respected citizens. They died and are buried upon the 
homestead farm. His father died April 13, 1863, at the age of 70, and his mother, 
June 12, 1866. They left a good property to their children. The subject of this sketch 
owns 312 acres of the old farm. lie married Miss Mary A., daughter of George G. 
and Elizabeth (Clark) Waring, Nov. 26, 1868. She was born duly 3, 1846; they 
have two children — George 11. and Amanda F. 

JOHN A. DINKEL; P. 0. Tallula; was born in Baden, Germany, Sept. 19, 
1838; son of Philip and Catharine (Spingier) Dinkel; was brought to this country by 
his parents in 18 17. coming directly to Springfield, 111., an 1 locating upon a farm where 
he was raised and schooled, and where his father raised a family of five children. His 
father died there in August, 1857, and there his mother Still survives. The subject of 
this sketch entered the army with the Kith 1. V. Cav., and served three years and three 
months. He participated in a number of engagements and skirmishes, escaping without 
injury. After the war. he returned and engaged in the cabinel business, which he has 
since followed. He married .Miss Klizabeth Staid, of Springfield, May 13, 1865; she 
was born March 26, IS 17. They removed to Tallula in September, 1 Still, and became 
manufacturer and dealer in furniture and undertaking, which he has since continued. 
They are the parents of six children — Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1867; Sophia. May 
13, 1870, died Dec. 31, 1874; .John, born Aug. 31, 1872; Frederick, dune I. 1 
George S. and William W., bom Oct. 3, 1878; William W. died July 29, 1879. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dinkel are members of the Baptist Church. 

ISRAEL FROGLEY, farmer; P. O. Tallula; was born near Oxfordshire, 

England, July 25, 1819; son of Israel and Klizabeth ^Phillips: Frogley. He is the 
second of a family of six, and came to this country in 1840, and remained in the East- 
ern States until 1856, when he and family came to Illinois, locating in Menard <'". ; in 
18Gl.be bought his present home farm, locating up< n it in 1862. He now owns 358 acres 
of land, with line farm improvements, the result of bis own energy. His first wife was 
Miss Susan Blinko, of England. They were married March 27, 1850; she lied in 
1851, leaving one child — .John B. His present wife was Miss Susan McArd, of the 
city of Brooklyn. They were married Dec. 26, 1854, and have raised a family of six 
children — Israel, George, William deceased . Elizabeth, Amelia, Mary E. 

WILLIAM G. GREENE, farmer and banker. Tallula; Bon oi William and 
Elizabeth (Graham) Greene, who were of English descent. His grandfather, Jarvis 

ne. was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, emigrating there from North Carolina 



71" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

while the country n he was killed by the Indian- daring the battle 

I ae Lick, In August, 1781. It was in a t < » r t a< Bryant Station, erected by Daniel 
Boone as a protecti il Indians, that William Greene, father of the Bubji 

this sketch, was born ; his early lil at in the Kentucky wilds, and at 1 1 i ■ 

<pf 21, he married, remaining in Kento ten years; then removed I 

i . and engaged in farming, locating on the Cumberland, near the moutl 

It was at this place thai William <i. Greene was born, Jan. 27, 1812. II - 
father remained about fifteen year- in Tennessee. At that time, the tide of emigration 
was turned toward the fertile and beautiful lands of Illiii.>i% ati<l Mr. Greene resolved 
n. tr\ his fortune in the n sw couutrj ; the farm was accordingly disposed of, a few 
household '_ r ""d- and other articles were packed together in a wagon and the family, 
thr younger members in the rude conveyance and the older boys trudging along on foot, 
started on their northward journej . The region to which they were directing their 
was 1 1 • t \it known by the name of [llinois. The French settlers of St. I. mis had 
bestowed apon it the name of St. Gamil, and Sangama, Sangaman and 8angamon 
variations of this. Thefamily reached a point in what i- now Menard Co., near where 
Tallula now stands, and there settled and purchased from one Royal Potter a farm 
This spot was afterward the it f the elder Mr. and Mrs Greene until their d< 
William was a boy of '.» when the family made Illinois their hom< . thenceforth his 
history wai closely identified with that of the Prairi ll> early educatioi 
such as the rude advant community destitute of an \ Bystem of public instruc- 
tion could furnish. The first school he attended was k<] >t in a log built 
by the oombini d efforts of the neighborhot d . it stood on II ick Creek, an 1 the bcI I 

taughl by a man named Compton. Be afterward was a pupil of T M Fletcher, 
one of the pioneer teachers in thai section of the State, who taught under the old shed 

band-mill. But though the facilities for obtaining an education w jsarily 

vers I, to the active mind of young Greene they were enough to form the 
basis of a sound and substantial education, studying a- he < 1 1 > 1 in the summer, under 
the Bhade of the wild wood, and in winter, by the flickering light of the back-log fire. 
The li fuse "I I - within a few miles "t' Salem, and when Abraham 
Lincoln made that his home in 1831, Greene became one of his acquaintances and a 
friendship was formed that lasted till the death of the latter. Lii In was then 21 and 

ne three years younger, but, as far as education serned, the latter had th>' 

advantage, and from him Lincoln learned his first lesson in English grammar. In 
1832, Greene laid aside his studies and enlisted in tl Hawk war. Lincoln 

chosen Captain of the company raised at Salem. They served their country for twenty 
days, but they were days characterised by hardship rather thin glory. It was in I 
when Mr. Greene was '_'<». that he entered into his first tion, which 

mention, not only on account of ii as a first business venture, but by reason <>t 

istorical association with Lincoln, the incident being mentioned in detail bj Ho 
land in his life of Abraham Lincoln and by other biographers of the distinguished 

I n' A man named Reuben Radford kept a small ston in New Salem j thi I 
Grove B - an organized band of d - and a terror to the community, often 

visited the village and kept Radford in constant alarm. He had kept the place two 
.if three weeks, when one night he went ovei to his brother-in law's : , few mile-, away, 
and left a younger brother, Jackson Radford, in charge, instructing him if tl, 

came, not t" let them have but two glasses of whisky apiece. That very 
night they came; thej were refused the whisk) and thereupon turned young Radford 
out and helped themseh re they .1 was pretty well torn oul 

and the contents lay in a confused mass on the floor. It happened the next morning 
ie bad started before daylight, with a bag "renin before him <>n a horse, to the old 
mill, just below Salem, in order to be first with his turn. .Ju-t before reaching Salem, 
he d I l'.\ a m.m riding rapidly <m horseback . it was Radford, who had heard ot 

the fate of hi- the scene. G ae arrived on the spot a 

moment after Radford, just in time t>> hen- him exclaim, " I'll sell this to the lir>t man 
that makes me an >fl i Grt ne rode up tn the solitary window and sticking in his 






TU.I.II.A PRECINCT. Til 

head, and taking a hast; glance at the Btate of affairs, said, " I'll giv< you $400 for it.'' 
The offer was at once accepted, with the understanding thai the purchaser should have 
hi\ months in which to make payment. Greene met Lincoln a Bhort distance from the 
store and the latter proposed to go over and take an inventory of the contents ; this 
done when the value was found to amount to over $800. The same day, he sold 
the Btore to Lincoln and a man named Berry; thej taking Greene's place on the note 
for •? inn and giving him, in addition, S — * » ~» in money and a fine horse, saddle and bridle, 
belonging to Berry. Radford would nol consenl to the arrangement about the note unless 
Greene became their security, to which at last he agreed. The business soon went t<> 
Greene assisted Lincoln to close up the store and then, as surety, was com- 
1 to pay the note of $400 to Radford. Tims Lincoln became indebted t i Greene 
for that amount. In their conversation, this was invariably humorously alluded I 
the -National Debt." Six years later, when Mr. Greene had removed to Ten net 
and Lincoln had become a lawyer in Springfield, * 1 1 « - latter wrote him, stating that 
he was ready to discharge the liabilities of himself and former partner to the 
utmost farthing. The friendship between Greene and Lincoln was never interrupted. 
Horse-racing was then one of the amusements common in the vicinity of Salem and 
Lincoln was frequently selected as judge in thes The honesty of his decisions 

gained for him the soubriquet of " Honest Abe," in bestowing which upon him Mr. 
Greene bore his part. In 1833, Mr. Greene became a Btud m of the Illinois College, 
at Jacksonville. Leaving home with -3:^> in his pocket and a homespun suit of 
clothes on his back, he determined to have an education if energy and economj could 
carry him through. He entered the industrial department, where students were 
paid 8 to in cents per hour for their labor. Here began a course of unflagging 
industry, which was increased rather than diminished through the three years' course 
at t li i^ institution, and in which was laid the solid foundation of a liberal educa- 
tion. He w. irked every hour of the day not occupied by recitations and pursued 
hi< studies far into the night; for Saturday's work he would receive seventy-five 
cents; he prepared his own food, which cost him thirty-five cents per week. He 
was not long in attracting the attention of Dr. Edward Beecher, then President of 
the school. His perfect lessons, his happy faculty of making clear the most puzzling 
problems and his wonderful industry during working-hours, caused Or. Beecher to 
interview him on several occasions for the purpose of having him enter the theological 
course, Beecher and Sturtevant promising to furnish him means to take him through to 
graduation; but he told them that the Ldrd had never called him to preach and, more- 
ovi r, he believed that in his case a self-earned education was essential to after au< 
He aimed to clear a little more money every day than he spent, and so well had he em- 
ployed his time that when he left school, at the end n\' three years, he had two good Buits 
of store clothes, > ighty acres of land that he ha I entered and $60 in money, $ I' 1 more 
than lc had left home with. Richard Sates was a student in the institution at the 

same time, and a lasting friendship was formed between the two. On on scasion, 

wh«le i during a vacation, the latter took him up to 

Salem to make him acquainted with Lincoln. They found him flat on lii> hack on a 
cellar door, reading a newspaper. Greene introduced the two, and thus the great War 
Governor of Illinois and the great War President began their acquaintance \ : 
conclusion of his college course, Mr. Greene went to Kentucky, tear Danville, where 
he first became a private tutor in the family of Mr. George Carpenter, a prominent 
man of the neighborhood. He also taught a Grammar School bj r a time 

with great success, and then went to Tennessee and took up his residence in Whit* 
in the central part of th 3l He here became Principal of the Priestley Academy. 

It was during his residence here that he b [uainted with the lady who is now 

bis estimable wife; her maiden na II. Whit •. she was the daughter of 

Woodson P. aul Nancy White; her father was one of the first citizens of the county, 
and for Beveral terms was a Representative in the State Legislature. Their marriage 
was celebrated March 31, 1837; Mr. Greene was 25 and she 17 years of age. He 
continued to teach Bchool for a few months after bis marriage and then returned to 



712 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Illinois, remaining eighteen months; then again returned I T ind was 

appointed Deputy County Sheriff. In 1842, be removed to Mississippi and settled it 

leen, but, <>u account of the unhealthy climate, he reside I r 1 » are but six months 
and then Memphis, where, on a capital of a little more than $100, he 

ry and provisii The two and a half years of his residence in 

Mi mphis were occupied with this and other business operations in which h ■ met with fav- 
orable results and acquired ;i considerable amount of property. In the Bpring I 315, 
he returned to Illinois with hi- family, now consisting of wife anil three children, 
of whom wore born in different Stab - II purchas ■! a farm in Mason I 

. .in I beg t il Ian l-d saler an I farm sr, in both of which he 

was very successful. Be sold his property in x ! ind purchased the 

farm near Tallula, on which he 1 1 * — ever Binee resided Here be engaged largelj in 
forming and stock -dealing, meeting with asu ir to that which haschai 

almost every enterprise in which he has engaged. He has always > th • prin 

that there aret? !nn_ Vs he says himself, " Everything has two 

:_:ht end and a wrong en 1 I Fyou b sgin at the wr in° en 1 everj thing will go wr 
if you begin at the right end, the seasons, the elements, all Natu ir helpers. 

. farmer Bhould become rich if he works in harmony wi h Nature. 1 court her 
with all the devotion a young husband briogs to hi- bride. Nature i< aot a -in ; -he 
is a friend and an ally.' In addition t> agriculture, his attention of late years 
been directed in oth r channels. He has large! I in the development of the 

railroad system of the State. Be was on • of the original Directors of the Toni 

I road, which has since become incorporated with the Jacksonville Divi- 
sion of the Chicago A Mtnn Railroad He was interest) 1 in building up several t 

along the line : M i- .n t 'it v i- oi I' these; Greenvicw has it- nam ■ from him. and he 

w.i- on of the original founders of Tallula. Bis keen business foresight brought him 
in possession of several town sites aim • th route of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and 
afterward, when the town- bee tm • built up, he was en ibled I i r talis • a ban 1- >m • r turn 
from his investments. The Jacksonville Division was in a very precarious condition at 
the conclusion of fates' administration is President; the whole enterprise, ind ed, was 
in Beri >us danger of a collapse M Green • was at that time ons of the Directors, and 
at th solicitation of his colleagues particularly fates himself, consented to 

assume for a time th • Presi lenoy. The en irgy and busin • whi -h he br > ' i _rli t 

tip his duties, were effectual in placing the road <m a tinner basis than ever before known. 
The company was saved from bankruptcy, and the judgment of the other din 
thoroughly justified in assigning him the task. He was a stive in obtaining th ■ charter of 
the Springfield & North-Western K lilroad, was on ■ of the original U >ard nf Dire ttors an 1 
it- first Pi It was largely through his en rgy that subscriptions for the build- 

ing uf the road were obtained and a part of the road I. Upon the road 

ing into the possession of the present lessee, Mr. Greene retired from the management 
Mr. Greene has never divided his forces but has given his supremely to busi- 

When Mr Gr tne had decided on his life course, he threw overboard the solici- 
tations of Line. .in and fates and set himself to work at hi- chosen calling. He, 
however, played an important pari privately in one political campaign ; that pari 

- i politician but as a friend, [n 1859, Richard fates was in aspirant for the 

rnorship of Illinois but Leonard Swetl •! an equal chance for the 

nominatio i ■ the C ivention wa on with grt it warmth 

an 1 f ate« was fearful of the result. Liooln had established himself at Springfield 
- w'nh Douglas, had earned i national reputation As the 
Convention day drew n i t • - 1 1 thi*. he musi make a friend <>f Lincoln and 

deoided thil th to manipulate the mitter to the satis- 

faction of both Greene and told him h i in <>t 

the nomination provid sd Lin I be inducsd to " lean " to h m >re >ver, 

that Lino i favorable chance for th for President and 

he as Linooln in his favor in then rvernor in return. 

) >■ .. iM use his L prominence a< a candidate for the 



i.m.i.i I. A PRECINCT. 713 

Presidency in I860, Mr. Greene assented to the arrangement; they rode over to 
Springfield and once more the three, who had made acquaintance at Salem a quarter of 

a century before, si 1 together. Their circumstances bad greatly changed sine,' their 

first meeting; one had become an a>.;tive member of Co id now, with high hopes, 

was looking forward to the gubernatorial chair ; his college friend, aided only by his 
energy and shrewdness, had hewn his way through obstacles, before which other* would 
have retreated, and raised himself to wealth and prominence; the thirl was rapidly 
growing into fame a< a statesman. Little did any of them think whal tremendous 

issues w.tc gathering around the path of 01 f that trio. Gre ne and Lincoln retired 

to the consultation room of the office; there Greene unfolded to Lincoln the desire of 
Fates for bis support. There had been a coolness between the two for some years, and 
Lincoln was glad of an opportunity to lay the Christian's coal of fire on the head of 
Fates. Greene next broached the Presidential matter; he showed Lincoln the feasibility 
of his aspirations, and revealed the plan of introducing him to the Bast ; Fates would 
write Congressman George Briggs a letter and have him work up a eall from the New 
York Central Committee for Lincoln to deliver an address on the political condition of 
the country at the CoOper Union. " In fact, A.be," continued Greene, " Hick considers 
your destiny and his linked together, ami that letter is now 00 its way to New Fork." 
Fates was nominated and elected; Lincoln was invited to New Fork, and, in the follow- 
ing May. received the Presidential nomination. Mr. Greene voted for Yates for Gov- 
ernor in 1859 and Lincoln for President in I860. When the rebellion broke out, his 
sympathies were warmly enlisted in support of the Administration, and Central Illinois 
knew no stronger Union man than William G. Greene. Three of his sons enlisted in the 
army and fought during the war. When, at the darkest hour of the struggle, the < tovern- 
ment called for money, with a firm confidence in the re-suit which never forsook him, he 
did not hesitate to do what In- could to furnish tin; Government with means to carry on 
its work. Upon the passage of the internal revenue law, considerable trouble was appre- 
hended from its working in the Ninth Illinois District, in which Menard Co. was 
embraced. President Lincoln selected his old friend Greene as the man above all others 
to put the law in successful operation in the district. With some reluctance he accepted 
the appointment, but, after the work of collecting the revenue was thoroughly organized 
and the danger of conflict between the authorities and the people had passed, the office 
Was resigned. His friend-hip with President Lincoln was still main ained and he was 
frequently hi.- guest at Washington, where he always met with a cordial greeting. The 
President relied much on his judgment in giving correct statements of the condition of 
popular sentiment throughout the country in regard to the war. In his own section, 
his assistance was important i.i preventing threatened collisions between agents of the 
Government ami parties disaffected with war measures. His influence was always 
- night by aspirants throughout the State for political appointments at the hands id' the 
President. He continued an earnest supporter of the Administration while Lincoln 
remained in office, and. when at last the hand of the assassin finished the work of the 
people's President, just as he had brought the country safely through the horror- of a 
civil war, non • mourned more sincerely over his untimely grave or lavished richer honors 
on his memory than his old-time friend, William G. Greene. Mr. Greene ha- been 
closely identified with business enterprises near his home, and hi- energy and capacity 
have done much toward the development of the manufacturing and commercial interests 
of the county. In connection with Mr. d. A. Brahm, in September, l^ii'i, he estab- 
lished at Petersburg the first hank in Menard Co.. known as tic Banking Souse of 
Brahm & Greene ; he also own- the South Valley Coal Shaft, of Petersburg, and is 
one of the principal parti''- who have brought to their present suet — ful operation the 
woolen-mill- of the same place. In the town id' Petersburg he has ever taken a deep 
interest, maintaining that it should he made the manufacturing cuter for which its 
natural advantages adapi it. The .Mouth of the town has afforded him peculiar grati- 
fication, Mr. and Mrs. Greene have had nine children, six of whom are now living, 
who bid fair to become worthy citizens of this or any other community in which they 
may ultimately locate. The only daughter, Mi-- Katie, has just completed a classical 



714 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

ation at Stuttgart, Germany, where she has been f '» >r tin- last tin. Well 

may Mr. and Mrs. Greene be proud of their only daughter, for beyond a doubt she is 
the most accomplished lady of Central [llinois. We Bee in the Hi*'' of William G. 

M-. a boj in ilir early times of [llinois, with very little aid from parents or any 
other source, pursuing a life of honest industry, using his time t" the best advanl 
dutifully aiding his parents in making their settlements in the new country, and edu- 
cating himself and making and Baving money and property at tin- same time We 6nd 
him going to mill mounted upon the back <>t one of his fath< r's sturdy farm hi 
buying for a mere nominal ram, <>f a man in despair, hi- store rifled ; and 

selling it tin- same day at an advance of several hundred dollar- to Abraham Lin 
the future President, then a young man: ire next Bee him at [llinois College, work- 
ing his way, keeping up with his classes and Baving money; and now, a man honored 
and -till in tin- vigor <>(' his old age, .1 very wealthy farmer and banker, in his quiet and 
beautiful home, surrounded by his noble family. Be is public spirited and libera], and 
a devot* d ( Ihristian. Few nan then- arc who can look hack over their past life with 
satisfaction than Mr. Greene, who now in his ripe "Id age I the usefulness and 

prosperity of Id- children, who look to their parents with honor and pride, a- they 
nave lived a noble life and climbed up from poverty, until now possessed of pro] 

valued at $600,000 

- J. G. GREENE, farmer; P. O. Tallula. Among the prominent piom M nard 

Co.. none arc better known than W. G. and J. <i. Greene, who began without ti 
and buill themselves up a lame property, and have done much for the developmi i 
the county. J. G was born in O ,Tenn/,Dec. 14,1820; son of William and 

Elizabeth Graham) Greene, who were anion- the early settlers of Menard County, of 
whom further mention i- made in another part of this work. d. < i. has been one of the 
lers <>f this section, and a model farmer, lie owns :I beautiful 

id' nee. and a farm of 72J djotning the town of Tallula. Hi- wife was Sarah. 

daughter ol Joseph and Nancj Green Watkins; they were married, Aug. 14,1845; 
she was horn in this county dan. 26, L825. Tli children living — Nancy, 

now Mr.- I 'ivy. born July 5, 1846; Prances, no« Mrs G : born 

dan. , . now Mrs. Albert Ayers, horn A seph W., 

- 1 B5 I ; Maria n iw M i Henderson, horn 

Jan. 7,1857; Alexander, Aug. 19, 1863. Thoj iting their children. II 

always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the g 1 of the county in which 

he has lived. 

W. P. HENDERSON, firmer; P.O.Tallt born in M 

•J7. ! of Aaron and Sarah Boles Henderson, who were Virginians; they 

i in M 111., in 1831, where be died in -II. and she Mill 

I - upon il Id homestead, where the subject of this Bketch was horn and raised. 

irrocd the homestead farm until 1867, when ho settled upon his present farm, con- 
sisting of l"»l aci land. He was marrii I to M \ McFillin, ol 

an Co., in September. 1859. Th< family of seven children— Elii 

dam.- A I; ia B.. Charles W . Mary lv. Laura I'., and Kmn. 

30MERS HEWITT, farmer; P 0. Tallula ; son of Imla and Sarah (Whit 
Hewitt ; was horn in C .1 N l l 325 . he 

sailor, Roil it the earlj In 1M7. ho married Mi-.- Abigail 

;. of his native countj . and, in 1849, 

remaining but a short time, then returned an I until 1855, when 

he, with his family in agricultural pursuits. 

aving three children. ( he married Mrs. Maria 

by whom he has four children. Mr. Hewitt has accumulated a 

property and own- 240 act - f fine land with good buildings. He has for many 

ilous worker in the M. E. Church. 
[MLA HEWITT, farn in of [mla and Sarah (Whitaker) Hew- 

itt; horn in Cape May Co., N - 1 Feb. 13 ime t" [llinois with his parents in 

l; iii 1 352, he emigrated to California, being Beven months on the journey . while 



I'M. I. II. \ PRECINCT, 715 

there, he engaged in mining, and remained until the spring of 1858; be then returned 
home and began school at Lebanon, St. Clair Co. ; here he obtained a good bush 
education; in L 861, he again crossed the plain-: engaged in freighting to Walla Walla. 
Washington Territory, until 1865; then he returned to San P/ancisco, and thence 
home; in 1866, he began in the Btock trade through the Western States, principally in 
Kansas, in which he continued until L873. He married Miss Man C Willis Nov. »;, 
1st:!-, she was born in Circleville, Ohio, May 28, 1846; they have an adopted child — 
William O. Mr. Ileum is a well-to-do Parmer, and owns L60 acres of fine land. 

II. II. [RWIN,farmer; P. 0. Tallula ; son of Hugh B. and Priscilla (Kyle) 
Irwin: he was born in Sangamon Co., III.. May 8, 1844; his parents were among the 
rarly settlers of Sangamon Co.; they came to Menard Co. in 1846; here Henrj II 
has since lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the well u 
enterprising farmers of Menard Cm. He entered the armj in 1862, with the 114th I. 
V I., and participated in many heavy battles and skirmishes of the war, rving three 
years, and escaped uninjured. After the war. he returned and resumed farming. Oct. 
21, 1868, he married Miss Prances E. Primm, of this county; -lie died Oct. 12 I 
leaving one child — Elenora, and, Feb. 10, 1875, he married Sylvia A. Houghton; she 
died May 6, 1877. 

COL. JAMES W. JUDY, dealer in stock, Tallula; was born in Clark Co., Ky., 
May 8, l v '_'i'. and. at the age of 14, his parents removed to Montgomery Co., v. 
James Bpenl his early life upon a farm : he began for himself at 1 1 1 « ■ age of 21 ; he 
came to Menard Co., III., in l^">!. and began farming; Aug. 24, 1854, he mad 
(iist short-horn sale, which was for tin- late Judge Stephen Dunlap, of Morgan I 
here lie displayed a t dent in that direction which surpassed all other sale-men. an 
was frequently called upon to make sales in different parts of the State: 1 i- reputation 

as a short-horn aucti er began in 1854, and has increased from that t<> the present 

time, and is not confi 1 to this State, hut extends from the far Bast to the far West, 

and now he enjoys the reputation of being the leading short-horn -ale-man of the 
United States ; his reputation i> the result >>[' many years' study and practice, through 
which he. has amassed a large property; his home farm consists of 565 acres, and is 
nil.' of the finest places in Central Illinois. During the late war. he organized a com- 
pany at Tallula. and was nude Captain, and removed to Camp Butler, 111., where he 
organized the 1 1 Ith 1. V. I. and was elected Colonel without opposition, and en' 
the army in 1862, - rving one year, during which time he participated in a number of 
battles, including siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, and many skirmishes : his family ti 
ing his closest attention on account of sickness, he was compelled to resign. Hi- wife 

tharine A., daughter of James W. and Emma (Hathaway) Simpson; they were 
married March 23 1851 ; they are the parents of six children, two only of whom are 
living; Mrs. Judy was brought to Illinois when hut s months old. by her parents, who 
settled and passed their lives upon the old homestead faun, which is now a pari of the 
Judy ; 

E. T. METCALP, physician, Tallula; was born in Macoupin Co., 111., July 27, 
1843; .-on of Dr. J. M. Metcalf; he Bpent his boyhood days with hi- parents, and 
educated at Waverly; he enlisted in the army in 1862, with the 101st I V I 
after the service of about eight month.-, his health became bo impaired that he was dis- 
charged, alter which, he returned and took up the Btudy of medicine under Dr. J. 
Minor, of Waverly. Sept. 11, 1864, he married Miss Chattie Burnett, of Waverly. 
ami, in the winter of L864 65, he attended Rush Medical < in Tallula, 

in 1867, and began the practice of his profession ; they are parents of four children, 

viz . Daisy B. Milton Anna B. and < . 

JONATHAN NOTTINGHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O. P 
boo of Jonathan and Sophia Eldridge) Nottingham; I. in Cape M 

\ .1 . Sept 25, 1808, where he w led. In 1831, he married 

M - Hannah Smith, of hi- native COUntj me to Illinois in 1" ■' in 

Sangamon Co., and, with energy, thej Bet out to prepare a boo -null 

farm, which he afterward Bold, and in 1840 settled upon the farm wh he 



716 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

lii-i F the moat industrious farmers ol the county; is now considered o 
the solid men of Sangamon Co.; he has been enterprising, aln rig in all mat- 
ters pertaining t'> the general g I of the community. His wife died July 19, 1 - 

B : a L (who died in the late war), John, Abijal - 
Franklin I-'.. Rachel M. now Mrs Reub . Almarine T., Clark, J 

M noni Mrs, Henry Hoff), Elizabeth now Mrs. Alexander Higgins), and 
- W Mr. \ . married \i\- present v. 29 1852 - i - Mrs 

\ Townsend, formerly of h\< native county; his home farm consists of GOO 
fine land as may be found in the county; I, d an active worker in the M 

E. < Ihurch for man) years. 

C. M ROBERTSON, physician, Tallula; was born in Logan C K June 10, 
of Martin and Sarah (Morton Robertson, who \ - itch and 

Bullish origin, and located in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., 111., in 1827 ; hi- mother died 
I lite young; hi- father ited for the practice of law, l>ut had i 

r inclination toward mercantile life, which he followed through life ; he was 
of the first merchants of Schuyler ('".. where he did business as early a- 1828 
Rushville; he died in April, 1849, at the age of 7 I years. The subject of this sketch 
removed to Woodford Co., Ky . in 1814, where he began the Btudy of me. Heine under 
his brother, a practicing physician of that county, continuing there until 1845, when 
>k up his study with his brother, a physician at Rocheporl Mo ; he b "an the 
practice of his profession in Cass Co., I II.. where be practiced until L850, when he came 
i" Menard Co., settling at what was known as Robinson's Mill; in l v .">7. he rem 
tn Plattsburg, Mo., where h'e remained until the fall of 1859, when he came and 1" 
in Tallula. where he has Bince lived, devoting his time and attention to his pra 
except four years, beginning in 1869, during which time 1 is County .Ju<i_ 

M ird Co. He is a man of fine Bocial qualities and acknowledged ability. His wile 

Salina E. Harris, of Menard Co. ; they were married Maj 20, 1847; they ha 
promising family of six children, \i/.. William, Edward f>.. 11. my C, Marj 

Thomas M. ami Sarah I. 

JOHN B RICHARDSON, farmer; 1'. < >. Talluli; BOn of Daniel ami Man 

I Bright Richardson, who came t" Morgan C" . Ill . in an early day. They were mar 
ried in Cass <'■> . hut located in Morgan, where they lived a l<>m_: and useful life, raising 
a family of ,-ix — John 15. (the subject of this sketch i, William II.. Henry F., Th 
C -lame- L. and Fannie; their parents died in Morgan ('".. 111.; their mother i 
away in March, 1865, and their father, Nov. 15, 1868; they were beloved by t'i 

and relatives, ami respected by all who knew them ; they left a g 1 property to their 

family, who located in Menard <*"., 111., in H7»» ami 1-71 

GEORGE II 8ANFORD, physician, Tallula ; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, 

< '■ i '• 1 B38, and was raised iipoc a farm, receiving a g 1 oomm in schooling ; during 

his early life, be had a great desire to be< te a physician, and, in the spriug of 1 : 

he began the Btudy of medicine under Dr. J. C. Neff,of Lima, Ohio, lie enlisted in 
tin- arm;, Aug. 30, 1862, ml. August 31, he married Miss Elisabeth M., daughter of 

Warren Nichols, of Lima. < Mbio ; on the 1st of Septemb r. he started for the front ; 
he participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, Berving to the close of the war, 
after which be returned and resumed his study of medicine, entering the Medical 

rtment of the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor ; he graduated March 25, I 
he then came to Illinois, locating at Franklin, and there began the practice of hie 

Pallula in 1-7". and began practice; he is a well-read physician, 
ami has met with _ - He has two children— Frederick W. and Wilberl H. 

JOHN Q SPEARS merchant ami farmer; I' 0. Tallula; son of G 
x l < W. Blankenship Spears, prominent pi this county; 1» >rn N 

upon the dlil homestead where his father now lives; hi> early life was that of 
a fin he attended the common schools, and, late in life, through observation 
and experience, acquired a go "I business education ; he has made this his home and 
followed agricultural pursuits thus far through life; when he began in life for himself, 
his father gave him a farm, and he has added t.. this until, to-day, he i- considered 01 f 






I'M, I. II. \ PRECINCT. 717 

the solid men of Menard Co.; he owns L, 176 acres, and much other property ; be is > 
man ul' public spirit ami benevolence. Hi' ha9 twice married -first Susan J., 

daughter of Jacob Merrill, May 2, 1854'; she died Dec. L6, \-~~-- leaving three chil- 
dren -William II . born June 20, L859 : .lam.- .1.. Feb. 27, 1861, ami ('hail.- Q 
July 6, 1869; Mr. Spears married hi- present wife, Martha El., daughter of John L. 
and Mary L (Hawks) Turner, of Mason Co., !>• - 1875; she was born Oct. 16, 
1837 Mr. Spear.-: is qow engaged in mercantile and grain business, and in this, also, is 

quite surer SSful. 

GEORGE SPEARS, farmer; P. 0. Tallula ; son of George and Marj V 
Spears; was born in Green Co., Ky., March !'. 1805, where his parents Bett ed in an 
early day, and improved a large tract of land; George was raised upon a farm, and 
received a good common schooling. Aug. 1'.'. 1824, he married Miss Maria W., 
daughter of -lames and Mary i Stringer i Blanken9kip, in the following September ; came 
td Illinois with his parents, locating where George now lives, buying a large tract of 
land. I lis father died here April 1 6, 1 838, at the ripe old age of 7 1, his m ither suiviv- 
ing until dan. 26, L852, when she finished a useful career of '. ,l; years. The subject of 
this sketch has bought and improved a large tract of land — some three thousand a< 
he burned the brick and built his present residence in 1829, in which he bas since 
resided; at that time, this was the second brick building in the territory which now 
constitutes Sangamon, Menard, Mason, Logan and part of C here Mr. Spears 

lived a long and prosperous life, and raised a family of fiv< — Mary C. HOW Mrs. Win. 
T. Beekman), William X. (deceased), John Q., Henry ('. deceased and Elizabeth P. 
(now Mrs. George C. Spears . Mr. and Mrs. Spear- celebrated their golden wedding 
Aug. 19, 1874, with a large attendance of the pioneers, friends and relative-. Mr- 
Spears died dune 23 1878, beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who 
knew her. Mr. Spears still owns a large tract of land, and reside-: upon the hom - 
where he has lived for upward of half a century ; he is yet hale and hearty, and lives 
to see the usefulness and prosperity of his children. 

GEORGE C. SPEARS, farmer; P.O. Tallula; was born in Green Co., Ky., 
April IS, 1822, and is the son of Jacob and Letitia S. (Swing) Spears ; during his 

early life he obtained a good common schooling; he left his Kentucky home in 1843 
and removed to Missouri; during the Mexican war he. with a brother, enlisted and 
served under Col. Doniphan; they participated in many skirmishes, during one of which 
his brother was killed ; George C. served one year, after which he returned to Missouri. 
11 came to this county in 1849, ami. Do-. 20, 1849, married Elisabeth, daughter of 
George Spears, Esq.; they have a family of six, viz., William 11., hom Sept. 17. 1850 
Maria I... Nov. ll.ls:.::": Vat.-. Oct. 30, 1-:.:': Henrietta, Feb. 1">. 1863 G 

W.. May 1. 1869, and Pauline 15.. Oct. 30, 1870. Mr. Spear- i- giving his family a 
•_ r " id education, lie has improved a tine firm, which consists of 320 acre-. Bituated in 
the immediate vicinity of the pleasant village of Tallula. 

1!. B. THRO PP, nurseryman ; P.O. Tallula; was horn in Lycoming Co., Pcnn., 
June 10, 1842, and was brought to Illinois by his parent- in l B 1 1. locating in Richland 
Co., where he was raised and schooled till 1851, when they removed to Lynn Co., Iowa, 
to avail themselves of better school advantages ; he there attended the Western d 
i at Western), where he graduated in 1855 : in 1856, the family returned to Richland 
Co., and he came to Tallula and engaged in mercantile business, which he continued 
until 1862, when he enlisted with the llith I. V. 1.; he participated in many of the 
most severe battles of the war; was wounded ami taken prisoner at the battle of Gun- 
towh, Miss., and lav a prisoner for eleven nmnth-; after tin- war. he returned t" Tallula 
and embarked in the mercantile business, and, in 1870, he became a partner in the 
Tallula Nursery and became sole proprietor in 1875; in 1-7- sold out his mercan 
tin' business ami ha- since given hi- tim • and attention to the nursery, which is the only 
'•n • worthy of mention in the comity ; he make- a specialty of -m ill fruits and -hruh- 
berv, of which he has a tine assortment ; the grounds are Bituated half a mile from tic 
village of Tallula Hi- wife was Mi-- Cleraentii i • they were married • 
1866 ; -he is a native of Kentucky ; they have a family of four children. 



71- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ■ 

CAPT. C l'> THACHER, Justice of the Peace, Tallala; was born in St. 
Lawr I IS Y June 22, 1836; son of Simeon and Elizabeth (Mel 
Thacher; he was taken by lii- parents to Victoria Co., Canada, where he was raised and 
schooled, and, at the early age of 1 I. be began for himself, learning the trade of a car- 
penter and joiner ; in l s ">7. he returned to New York, locating near Buffalo, and there 
followed his trad.'; he came to Menard <'<>.. 111., in June, 1858, and, for many j 
followed contracting and building in Menard an I ities, and many fine build 

Btand as monuments of his workmanship; he enlisted in thelate war of the rebellion, in 
1862, with the 124th I. V. I. serving nearly four years, and was promoted to the 
i<\' Captain ; after the war. he located at Tallula, where he has sinee lived, a well-l 
citizen; be has served as Justice of the Peace Bince 1868; in 1875, he began to 
pect for coal, and was instrumental in opening the Tallula coal shaft ; he is enterprising, 
public spirited and benevolent. Be married Miss Mary J. White, in February, ! 
the daughter of Robert C. White, a prominent pioneer of this county; they hav< 
children living — Bertha and Edna. 

3 THRAPP, druggist, Tallula: waa born in Madison Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 
son of Bennett S. and Ann 9 Thrapp; he was brought to Illinois in 1840 by 

lii> parents, locating in Richland Co.; thence to Menard Co. in 1853; Mr. Thrapp 

[ common schooling and began as a dry-goods clerk; in 1857, be b 
in mercantile business on liis own account ; he established the first store of Tallula and 
has operated in mercantile life ever since; he is a man of fine social qualities and 
business ability, always interesting himself in all matters pertaining to the good of the 
community. Be has twice married, first to ESmily A . daughter of William S 
a prominent pioneer of Menard < 1855 I April 22, 1877, leaving 

two children — Martha Etta and Anna E. Bis present wife is Anna R., daughter of 
R I' 1!. Il< Hand, of Bope, [nd. ; they were man 

ALBERT VON HUGEL, farmer; P.O. Tallula; was born in Banover, Germany, 
1820; he came to this country in 1853, locating in Menard ('".. Ill ; be b 

Farm laborer, and, by economy ami industry, saved up som< m >n j and b >ught a 
farm : m, which he improved, and, in 1 869, sold i and removed to Tallula, 

where he reutcd a farm for a time; he bough I his present farm in 1872. II 

married; first t" Miss Rachel Rayman in January, 1857; she died in July, I 
leaving two children — Mary ami Mate; ami. in December, 1871, he married Mrs II 

t, of Springfield. Th ■;. rprising and among the well-to-do iiti/ 

counl 

ORGE B. WELSH, farmer and stock-dealer; P. <> Tallula; was born in 
itland, April 1. 1838, and was brought by his parents to Upper Canada, 

I Hi", in 1849; his parents were John and Joanna (Baxter Welsh. II 
married, while in Canada, to M ss Catharine Miller April 15, 1859; they can 
[Ninon in tling near where he now 1"- has by industry and 

tmulated a fine property; he owns 300 acres of well-improved land; they 
a famil) children -John, Jennie, Gains, • Christina and 

Mr. Welsh i I himself in all nutters pertaining to tl 

of the community in which he li is lived and is a much respected 'it ; 

MICHAEL WITTINGER, farmer and stock-raiser; P Tallula; was born in 
Wurtemb 1 \. 1823; hi i mtry in 1>I_'. locating in 

in 18 19, he, like man iken 

with the < !alifornia fever and left for ill- gold fields ; he sj fourteen months in 

mining and was quit ul ; he returned and bought a piece of Ian 1 and i n 

in (arming, where I - of fine land , h< 

the Willi f the '• iiinty. Be married Miss Anna II 

111.. Nov. 2, 1 was born in II tan \ ■•• . 12, 1840; they have four 

children— Am lia K A.nna K I! isa M. and Julia S. 

• I I' W \TIIKN. ue reliant ami hotel-keeper, Tallula; the first thing to poii 
to the traveling publio is a place at which to Btnp and satisfactorily replenish the wants 
of the inner man. ami this can truthfully be said of the Wathen House, which is new 



ATHENS PRECINi P. 719 

ami elegantly furnished, and the table well Bupplied with delicacies. Mr. and Mrs 
Wathen take pleasure in supplying the want- of ind making everything appear 

homelike and pleasant. Mr. Wathen was born in Shawneetown, [11., June 18, ! 
and is a self-made, practical business man ; he was thrown upon his own with- 

out parental car.' ami advice al the early age "I 1- years; he came to Menard Co., 111., 
in 1851, and engaged as a farm laborer for a time; il.cn. in 185*1 he removed to Peoria, 
where he served a regular apprenticeship at the trade of a tinner; he Baved up a little 
money, and, in I860, came to Tallula and opened a Bmall tin-shop, and Dec, 2, I 
marrid Mi-s Nancy A . daughter of Lewis ami Martha A. Martin, who were earl;. 
tiers of tlii- county; -de was born in this county .Inly '■'>. L840; in 1 — » '• Li . he enlisted 
with the 1 Mth 111. Y. I ; he served in the army some three years, during which time 
he participated in many "I' the mosl severe battles and sieges of the war; was wounded 
at the siege "I' Vicksburg, which disabled him for a short time; after the war he 
returned to Tallula and re-opened hi- Btove ami tin-shop. Mrs. Wathen, being <>(' an 
industrious turn of mind, desiring to assist in accumulating property, for a time opened 
a small millinery store, and from that to the present time they have worked with that 
energy and industry which is sure to he crowned with BUCCeSS in due time, and to-day 
Mr. Wathen is one of the leading merchants of the county ; they have one child, 
promising daughter of li' years. 



ATHENS PRECINCT. 

W. B. AYERS, Athens; son of Joseph B. and Catharine i I lull > Avers, who 
among the early settlers of Menard Co., and have li, the change from a wild 

to a thickly settled country, and have been workers in all matters pertaining to tie- g 
of the community ; the subject of this -ketch was horn in this county Sept. 29, 1 v I _' . 
he had good school advantages, and obtained a good English education; in L 858, he 
attended the North Sangamon Academy ; during the late war. he served for a time with 
the Tl-i 1. V. [.; after the war. he was, for a time, engaged in the manufacture 
lumber in Cla\ Co., Ind., after which he took charge of the home farm. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Man Riner, of Mason Co., Feb. 6, 1868; she died June 8, 1879, leaving 
three children — Etta M., Lou and Fred. Mr. Ayr- i- now engaged in the busini 
a livery, sale and feed Stable, at Athens, together with the superintending of his farm. 
which consists of l T < ' acre-. 

MRS. ELIZABETH CANTRALL, Athens; widow of Thomas Cantrall, and 
daughter of William ami Mary (Williams) Estill; she was horn in Bath •'".. K\ 
• Ian. 28, 1820, and Came to this canity at an early day. She married Mr. Cantrall 
June 12, 1851 ; he was the .-on of Levi ami Fanny England) Cantrall. and wa- horn 
Oct. 11, 1810. He wa- a prominent and respected citizen in this county, and died 
dune 22, l^")»i. leaving four children — Emma M., horn June 12, 1849, and died April 
l'!>. L870 wife of David Vandeventer) ; Robert II.. horn .Inly 16, 1--">1 . William M . 
April L6, 1853; Charles II .. Dec. 25, 1855. William now works the home farm. 

ROBERT COUNCIL, farmer, son of Hardy and Jane Council; was born 
in Barren Co., Ky., March 3, 1831, and was brought, while quite young, I 3 

tnon Co., HI., where his father entered hind, and where Robert i a 

farmer, which business he has followed thus far through life. He married Ellen, daugh- 
ter of George and Mari 3ept 22, *1863; she was horn in this county April 14, 
1844; her people came from New Jersey in 1839. Mr. Council is oi f the well-to- 
do citizens of the county ; has fine land, a beautiful residence; their family are re fol- 
lows: John W.. born Jan. 17. 1865; Herbert, May 18, 1867, and died Deo. 13, 
1872; Mabel J., born Mas 20, 1869; Lillie M., March 24, 1 i lie, Man-! 
1>7 Land died April 21, 1st:.; Lulu C.,born April 27, 1876; Robert C, Oct. 25, 1878 
MLS. NARCISSA CANTR \LL. widow of McDonald Cantrall, and daughter oi 
Jonathan and Julia i Holland. Hedriok - 111 May L5, I - 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES': 

Bhe was married to Mr. McDonald Cantrall March 29, 1853; they settled where 
n- .w lives in 1854 ; he died Sept. 1"». L873, leaving one child, Charles, who was born 
Feb; 1 1. 1854. Mr-. Cantrall, with her son Charles, manages the farm, which coi 
of ill i ; ' . young man. and is a respected eitii a, 

(<)|;y|mi\ CLARK, farmer and tile manufacturer, sod of Elisha and Sarah 
I Clark, was bora near Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct 12, 1820, and came t<> 111 
with hi> parent*! to 1824, where they passed their latter days in Sangamon Co. Be 
came to Menard Counts in 1846, where he has since lived. Ee married Matilda J 
daughter of Abner and Jane Overstreet Hall. They have a family of ten li 
F(-r thirty-three yean Mr. Hall has been engaged in the manufacture of 1-imk. and for 
the last t'i-ur yean has engaged extensively in the manufacture of til--, and produces the 

• are the largesl and bcsl arranged in the county, and he manu 
tui-- upon a large scale. Bis tile are from seven t-> three in Bize and of fine quality. 
Mr. Clark i- one of the enterprising, industrious and well-to-do citizens of Menard 
County. 

JAMES M, DERRY, farmer, Bon of Christian and Susannah Cam-- 1 
was born in Loudoun Co., Ya., Sept. 1 9, 1822, and came to Illinois about 1849,1oi 
in Springfield. He was marriedto Miss Cordelia A. rlalb, of Springfield, in April, I 

5, 1854, leaving two children. He married his present wife in 1861, she 

Miss Martha J. Pallock, of this county. Mr. Deny located upon bis present farm, in 
1866, which consists of 280 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mr-. Derry are men 
(-f tin- Free Methodist ( Ihurch. 

.1 W. ESTILL, farmer. Bon of William and Mary Williams Estill was born in 
Fleming Co., Ky.. March 6, 1823, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1823. Ili> 
father was born in Barren ('--.. Ky., Aim. 30, 1794, and now resides in this county at 
th.- I f 85 yean. His mother died Sept. 27, 1842 He is one 

family of fourteen, two of whom died in the army, in the late war, and nine are 
living. He was marriedto .Ian-' E . daughter ofMilo and Elisabeth A. (Telford v. 
who came from Tennessee, and settled in Illinois in 1821. Thej were marri 
1843, and have had live children, one now living, William M., born Aug. _:!. I 
Mr. Estill spent several yean traveling through the west, visiting California, Oregon ami 
Colorado, and returning in 1856, since which time he has followed farming; he i- a 
well-to-do and respected citizen. 

LEA 1 GIBBS, Bhoemaker, Athens; was born in Sussex Co., England, March •'>. 
1805, and is the son of William and Elizabeth Fuller Gribbs. He -aim' with his 
parents t>- this country in 1818, locating for a time in Delaware, thenct to Maryland in 
1825, and there his mother <li--<l in 1832. In 1820, Levi was bound as an appn 
t-- the trade of a Bhoemaker at Wilmington, Del. In 1839, his lather with family 
to Illinois, locating at Athens. Hi- father had been an extensive powder manufacturer 
in England, and also in th-- Eastern States, ami had acquired a good property, and -li--l 
in 1851. Levi is one of a family of eleven, but three of whom are now living. He 
married Mi- Anna M Gasser of Wilmington, Del., in April, 1827. Theyraised two 
children, Mary .1., now Mr-. W. ( >. Ward, of Clay Co., I ml., ami William V.. who died 
in the army at Memphis, Tenn Sept '■'>. I B65, Mr. < libbs is | rosperous and 

H C GRAHAM, farmer; Bon of Peter and Mary L (Akere Graham; was 
born in Athena May B, I-:::'.; his parents came from th<' city of New V--rk to 
Illinois, in 1829, and to Athens, M the) still live, at a 

of 146 yean. II. C. i^ the oldest of a family of ten, nine of whom 
ill living; he has follow ultural puranits thus far through life, exi 

few yeanof his early lit'.-, which wen devoted t-- the tr.i-1-' of a carpenter. !!-• married 
Fanny L., daughter of Levi and Ann Patterson Cantrall, Jan. 6, 1856; Bhe 
. tl:-'\ have raised a family of fii M ■ A., born Jum 
1-:--. William II Aug. 11,1862; Araminta, Oct. L3, March 26, 

1871 ; Carrie - ttled when they now live in 1 856, and have 

for tn i m in!- - ken in tie- Athens M. E Church. They have 

a tin-- farm ->t liin acres, and a beautiful residence. 



ATHENS PEBCINi I T i2 1 

CAPT. J. A. HURT, hotel proprietor, Athens; son of James K and Melinda 
(Preston) EIurt,and was born near Springfield, III.. Dec. 22, 1829; his parents came 
from Warren Co., Ivy., settling at his birthplace in 1828; they came to Athens, Men 

ard Co., in is:; - j. His Father died in June, 1 S ">1 ; hi- mother still survives, in pood 
health, at the age i'f 71. Captain is tin- oldest of the family "I" twelve, eight of whom 
arc now livin<_'. Daring the late war he enlisted with the 28th I V. [., serving in this 
regiment about one year, as First Lieutenant, and afterward went out with the [U6th 
I. V. I., in which In' was elected Captain, which position he held Dearly tine,- \ 
Since the war. he has followed agricultural pursuits, together with hotel business, lie 
was licensed an M. I*], preacher, by the M, K. Church, in 1866. and has since been a 
faithful Christian worker. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1866, and a<_ r ain in 
1877, which office he now holds. He is an industrious, benevolent, and a much 
respected citizen. 

CLAIBORNE HALL, fanner am! merchant, Athens ; is a native of Patiirk 
Co., Va., where he was born Sept. 5, 1819; in the liuh year of his age, with his 

father's family, 1 migrated to Boone Co., Mo., and shortly afterward located near 

Allien-. Menard Co., remaining here until 1843, when he removed to [owa, and settled 
on the " New Purchase," there, fur five years, he improved and then purchased a quar- 
ter-section of land ; it was during this time that he was elected Justice of the I' 
tiir what was known then as the " Attached Territory" of Mahaska Co. Marion Co 
was organized out of that territory m 1846, Mr. Hall being elected County Surveyor. 
He was subsequently elected to the offices of Probate Judge, Sheriff, Recorder, Collec- 
tor, and Treasurer for said county. At the close of his term of office, in 1854, be 
returned to farming, having purchased another farm, near Knoxville. While thus engaged, 
he became editor and proprietor of the Democratic Standard, the firs Hem cratic 
paper published in that county. After a year's editorial experien e, he was elected 
County Superintendent of Schools. Two years afterward, he removed to Knoxville, 
and engaged in mercantile business, continuing in this until the autumn of 1864, when 
he removed to Athens, his former place of abode. Sine that time lie has farmed, and 
for several years has been identified with mercantile life in Athens. In 1845, Mr. 
Flail was married to Miss Susan T. Duncan, daughter of Marshall l>ui. can, mar 
Salisbury, who had emigrated from Kentucky at an early day. One sun. Wil- 
son B.. was the only child born of this aoi n. Susan T. died in 1850. Three 
years afterward. Mr. Hall married Eliza J. Olive, mar Zanesville, Ohio, who 
also died Dec. 10, 1864. Two year- later. Mr. H. was unit, d in marriaj 
Miss Mary A. Riggin, of thi- county, daughter of Harry and Miriam Riggin, 
both of whom emigrated to this State from Tennessee, in 1817. Mr. Hall's 
life has been one of variel usefulness, and he is yet an active busin IBS man, and highly 
emed citizen. Of the religious character of Mr. Hall, it may be proper to state 
that he has been an acceptable member of the Christian Church, since 1838, an I 
ordained Elder therein in 1 859, and has discharged the duties of this sacred calling 

with faithfulneS8 and ability. 

ELIHU HALL, son of Fleming and Susanna I II ■ - born in 

Patrick Co., Va., d ii in- I. 1822, and came with parents to what is now Menard Co., 111., 
in L82 ipon the farm where Klihu now lives; his parents -till live : 

and their combined ages amount to 17- Klihu is a scientific botanist 

devoted tic principal part id' twcnty-li ■ the Btudj of botanj an 1 to his I 

num. and ha- a collection of 15,000 -| beyond a doubt the fnc st private collec- 

tion in tiii- country. IK was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Brown May 10, 1-71 ; they 
have three children Una M., Julian H. and Hubert R, 

.1. N. HALL, farmer and one of the pioneers of the county, was bore in : 

Ohio. June 10, l-'iii. and was the fourth child of a family ol four 

came with hi- parents to this county in 1 B27 ; here hi- father died about 
mother in 1 B62 ; he has resided upon the old homestead thus far through life ; he owns 
the old homestead farm, which consists of 390 acres, lb- married Miss S rah Parker, 
of this county, April 2, I-Il'. - rn in Rush <',.. [nd N ■• I 185 



722 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

have raised a family of fourteen children, all of whom arc living — Thomas J., bora 

April 17. 1843; Anna F... Aug. 1". 1844; Abraham, April I. L846; Williai 

9, 1848"; CharlesA., Nov. 1. 1849; Emily E., Aug. 26, 1853; Nanej J., Api 

hn L. Feb. 20, i - teJ B., Jan. 9, 1-:.:'. Ada A.. Feb. 3, L861 . 

Amanda A.. Maj 9, 1863; Jami s N., F 365 R< ; 'eb 22, I • 

Ella M.. May 16, 1- 

M. T HARGRAVE, druggist, Athens; was born in Guilford Co., N C . March 
17. 1842, and, in 1844, was brought by his parents to Ray Co., Bio., where be was prin- 
cipally raised, and, after obtaining a good English education, began the study of medi 
cine under Dr. <i \ Gorden, of Elkhorn, Bio.; in 1863, he located in Bloom in< 
III.. ;iml embarked in the grocerj business, continuing until 1865, then came to Ati 

here he was in the dry-g Is business for several years. Sept. v . 1868, he was married 

!•• M Abraham Primm; he then began farming and stock-deal- 

ing; in 1874, he established his present business, which he operates, together with his 
farm ; he is i practical fanner and an able business man. social, genial, and respected by 
all; they have had two children — Lillie M., born Sept 12, 1869, and died May 21, 
1 B78 ; .Minnie K.. born Sept. 1. l-7>'. 

JONATHAN HEDBICK, retired; P.O.Athens; was born in Kentucky 
Manh 28, 1799, where he was raised and schooled. Nov. 1. 1827, he married Miss 
Julia A. Holland, of his native county; Bhe was born Feb. B, 1803; lie located in 
Fleming Co. and began farming, which he has followed ever since; tiny settled in San 

d Co., 111., in 1831, and resided there until 1864, when thej removed t" Menard 
Cm. and Bettled where they now reside; they have, through energy and industry, been 
quite successful, and have raised a family of six children -Rebecca now Mrs .1. Can- 
trail, of Sangamon <'". . Etoaetta (deceased, formerly wife of A. Clark . Barton I! 
now widow of McDonald Cantrall), Fleming deo tsed . Monson 
l who died in the army during the late war). .Mr. and Mrs. II. have been active workers 
in the < Ihristian Church since 1844. 

JEFF JOHNSON, farmer; P.O.Athens; is the son of William and Cynthia 
(William- Johnson, and was born where he now resides Oct •"■ 1828; hi- pat 
located here in 1823, coming from Bath Co., Ky. ; tiny entered a large amount of 

land. and. at hi- death, had quite a tract improved; he die. 1 Sept B, 1843; -he .-.till 

survives, and. at the ripe "Id age of 75, live- to see the prosperity and usefulness of her 
children; Bhe well remembers when this country was inhabited by roving band 
Indian.-, with but now and then an adventurous Bettler, and thej experienced the hard- 
ships and privations "l pioneer life. The subject of this .-ketch has made tl Id 

homestead In- home thus tar through life; he i< one of a family of -even, hut four of 
whom are now living ; bhe Bubjecl ol our sketch has followed stock-dealing and farming 
thus far through life; he i> looked upon as a practical farmer and a -end financier; hi- 
farm consists of seme six hundred acre- of BJB tine land a- may 1m- found in the county. 

Hi- wife i- Mary, daughter of Nathan P. Riley; they were married Dec. 30. 1858 

-he was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Sept 21, 1836 . they have one child — Anna, horn 

duly 7. 1867 

JOHN JOHNSON, jon of William ami Cynthia Williams). Job 

was bora in this county Sept. -V 1825, and i- the second of a family of seven, four of 

whom are now living; Mr. Johnson ha- always made this his home, following farming; 

be is industrious and enterprising. He has been twice married ; first to Miss Harriet 
on, of this county, Dec 1. l-i»;; she died Oct. 12 1855, leaving two childr 
ide, horn Sept hi. 1847 who became the wit'.' of William K. Hall, and died 

.Ian. 7. 1-77 . and William K . May 11. 1850; Mr. -I married hi- present wife March 

1. 1859; -he was Mi-- Elisabeth Gains, of this county; Bhe was born in Bath 

16, 1 --':•; by the last union ho has four children Cora, born -Ian. I s -. 
- pt 12, 1862 .1 . Sept 19, \-<>'< . Ella, duly 1 I. 1869. 
JOHN KINIl ART, wagon and carriage manufacturer, Athena; was born in the 
city of Baltimore, Md . Dec. 6, 1 - 1- . at the age of 13, In' began the trad • of a waj 
maker at Bedford. lVnn . Berving a regular apprenticeship, alter which. In same V\ 



\tiii;\s PRECINCT. !-■'> 

lookiiiLc lor a location, and visited Pike'a Peak, where Ik- followed mining for a time; 
In then returned to Lawrence, Kan.; in I860, the droughl of Kansas threw man; 
laborers and mechanics out of employment, among whom was Mr. Kinhait ; he started 
East mi foot, alone and without money ; he came to 1 1 1 i i ■ > is and found employment f'<>r 
a time at Jacksonville, thence bo Athens, and engaged with Henry Rankin, remaining 
till August, 1861, when he enlisted in the 28th I. V. I. and went out a- Corporal; 
hr was a soldier of tin' late war upward of four years ; he was promoted to Fire! 
Lieutenant, and participated in many of tin' most Bevere battles of the war. escaping 
without injury. After the war. he returned t" Athens and began in a small way at his 
trade, in partnership with J. Waggoner, continuing until 1869, when Mr. Kinhart 
became sole proprietor, gradually enlarging his capacity for manufacturing; in 1-71. 
Thomas Swaringuin bought an interest and continued as a partner until 1 syji, .since 
which time, Mr. Kinhait has operated upon his own account and, by his mechanical 
ability, industry and uprightness in dealing, has built up a large trade; he began in 
Athens with no mean-, but much energy and determination, and is now proprietor of 
the largest wagon and carriage shop in the county; in connection with tin' shop he 
runs a blacksmith and general repairing shop and enjoys a flourishing trad.'. He was 
married to Mis> Sarah Hart, of this county, Aug. 19, 1862; they are the parent! 
three children— David, born April 1l'. 1867, died Sept. 18, 1868; Linnie A., horn 
.Ian. 1 1, 1869, ami Frank. Aug. -V 1-71. 

.1. KENNEDY KINCAID, farmer and one of the pioneer settlers of Menard Co.; 
-on .if Andrew and Ann 1'. Caldwell I Kineaid. and oldest of a family of twelve ; W8S horn in 
Bath Co., Ky , June 30, 1808; he served as an apprentice at carpentering, after which, 
he worked for (12 per month to get money to go to school, and thus succeeded in 
obtaining a good common schooling; he came bo Illinois in 1832, and followed 
Carpentering for two years, then bought land ; his parents and family cane' to Illinois 
in 1834; eight of the family are now living; his parents died here, his father in 
August, 1872, at -7 years of age, and his mother March 20, 1879, aged !»2. II 
married to Miss Vianna, daughter of dame- and Hannah (Mapping Williams, March 
24, 1836; she was born in Bath Co., Ky., March 4, 1817; they settled mar where 
they now live, and have had fourteen children, seven of whom were raised to mature 
ap' and six now living, viz.; Hannah E. and Ann B., horn Dec. 3, 1840 noW respec- 
tively Mrs. John Dalbey and Mrs. 11 A. SToung ; John EL, July 9, 1848; Joseph H . 
May"-. 1850; Huldah, Aug. 15, 1854 now Mrs. C. C. Scott .'and Julia E, dan. 9, 
1860. Mr. and Mr-. K. have hen active workers in the Presbyterian Church since 
earl', in life. He has accumulated a large property and has improved upward of a 

in of land ; he now owns l>7'> acre- in this comity and some 700 acres in Iowa. 

mri and Kansas; they are well-known ami highly respected people. 

THOMAS KINCAID, farmer ; P. O. Ath of Andrew and Ann I'. (Call- 

well | Kineaid ; wa- horn in Bath Co., Ky . and came to what is now Men ir 1 < !o. in 1834 ; 
among the prominent and solid men of the county, none are better known than this 
gentleman; he has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to bhe _'■•'! of 
the community in which he ha- lived. His wife was Miss Lucinda Patterson, of 
Hardin Co., Ohio.; they were joined in marriage Oct. 18, 1849; -he died April 13, 

1ST i . leaving a family of live children, four of them '_drl- A- a family they are much 
red. . 

JAMES S. MOORE, farmer; wa- horn in Civn C Kj I' 1. 1821 

id' John N. ami l'l - i and was brought to this - in 

1 -_'_'. the) settled wl James now lives, and tie of their 

. his father died P 25, 1842, and hi- mother, Aug. 7. 1868 During early life, 
James acquired a go d education, and has followed agricultural pursuits thus far through 
life He wa- married bo Miss Narcissa N Dickey, of Putnam Co., [11., dm. |_\ ] - 
.-he died Oct. 6, 1876. leaving a family of three children — Henrj ML, born 
1850, and married bo M Harris, of this county, Feb. 26, 1879; Martha 

horn Ma\ 3, L 852, and Laura I'.. April l'- 1854. Mr M in active 

worker in all public affairs; iblishing the North Sangamon 



724 BIl GRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Church rod the Academy, institutions of credit to r li * - county. A main ohai 

I Mrs. Moore, during her life, has been faithfulness in 

the work of the PresbyterUo Church. Hi- farm i> une <>t' the finest in the county. 

• I NYBROE, farmer and raiser of tin.- stock . was born in Norway Feb. 1 t, 
1 --'■'.. he emigrated to this country in 1850, and, coming directly to Dlinois, located in 
Menard Co., and, for a time, found employment as a farm laborer with A. Kim-aid, 
continuing about three years; then as a rent* r for about four years, during which time, 
lie- married Miss Torber Aleson, daughter of Ale and Aene Aleson, of Springfield, 
111.; Bhe is a native of his country. After having remained with Kincaid some - 

-. and having, by industry and economy, saved ap some money, he bought 160 
- of land, upon which he Battled in 1858, where he has since resided : has add 
his farm until now he owns 230 acres of fin,' land; he makes a specialty of breeding 
fine bogs, Bkeep and cattle, a fart which is becoming extensively known throughout the 
State as he is in the habit of carrying away the highest premiums at all fairs in the 
central part of Illinois; bis reputation as a fine-stock growi illy of hogs) is very 

high. 

MRS. ELIZABETB PRIMM, widow of [>. r. Primm and daughter of Jacob 
and dam- II dl Tioe ; was born in Floyd Co., Va April 10, 1823, and was 
brought to this county by her parents in 1-:;:; . she is one of a family of elevi a, - 
of whom are now living. She was married to David C. Primm dun. 1. 1843; b 
the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stalling) Primm, who il an 

lay: he died Ocl 24, 1864, leaving Beven children -James I'., horn Jai 
1845 ; Susan J., born Sept. 19, 1848, died Deo I 1864; Dulcinea E., born June 11, 
1852 now Mr.-. Cline . Thomas R., July II. 1854, Clarrie M . Aug. 8, 1856 now 
Mrs. W'm. Kenyon . Violel L., born Feb. 8, I860; Ninian O., Nov. 21, 1861. 

ELISIIA PRIMM, farmer; son of John and Ruth Coi Primm; was born in 
what is now M . [11., Oct 24, 1814; his parents settled there in 1808; his 

father was a native of Virginia, and was born in 17-<>: hi- mother was born in Dela- 
ware in 1783, and was married in the Territory of Illinois in 1809; they had - 
children, live of whom are now living. His father di ■ '. 1848, and' bis mother, 
Feb The subjeel of this sketch came to the place where he now lives with 

his parents, in 1820, ami. Sept. 19, 1837, married Miss Luoinda C. G . she was 

horn Aug. 1 1', 1819, and came with her parents to this county in 1833; they have 

• -tic child Susat) J. wife of W. I.. Rankin . born March 20, 1839 Mi and 
Primm have lived to see the entire change fiom a wild ami desolate to a thickly 

settled and Well-develop< d Country, and have alwa\> taken an active part in all matters 

nin_' to the good of the community, and are yel hale and vigorous, and much- 

PRIMM, physician, Athens; son of Thomas and Elisabeth Stalling) 
Primm; was born in this county Jan. 25, 1822; during his early life, he acquii 

lish education, and prepared fir a medical course, upon which he entered in 
1846, at the M Diversity, Si 1. lusted in 1850; he entered upon 

tin- duties of his professional Athens; in 1852, he medical 

Louis : also in 1854, ami. in 1856, at Louisville, Ky.; this has been the principal field 
of hi- professional labor thus far. Mr. Primm is a well-read man. ami ofacknowli 
ability as a physician ; 1 y, and now owns upward of 

two thousand acres of fine land, and is a highlj 

nativ. - ol \ irginia ; his mother, with her j ne into the Territory of Dlinois in 

1796, remaining tor i tine ii «rl iwn a- VV1 • ation ; .-he li. 

rip 5 and died I . -77 ; his fathi Illinois in 

1802, locating near S: rved in the war of 1812, and .settled in 

rd Co. in 1820; be died May li i'hc Prima prominent pion 

and further mention ol tie .n will be found in the general hi- 
ll C ROGERS, farmer ; P.O. Athens ; one of the pioneers of Menard Co., and 
f Matthew and Anna N l :- i: ras born in . ' N i , Jan. 20, 

1808, and ifl i. •[ of a family hildrcn. three only of whom an: now 



ATHENS PRECINCT. 725 

living; he came to this State in 1820, with his parents, and located aeai when- he now 
lives. Here his parents died — his mother Sept. 18, L828, and his father, Aug. It 
1847. II. C. married .Miss Sarah H. Moore Nov. 26, 1829, daughter of John and 

Mary (Tate) Moore, who was horn March 8, 1812 ; they have had eighl children, lour 
of whom lived to grow up, viz.: Marv A., born Dec. 26, 1830; William II., April 24, 
1838; John T., June 1, 1841, died May 22, L868, and James M., bom June 22, 
184G. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have been active workers in the Presbyterian Church for 
upward of forty years: they are public-spirited, benevolent, well-to-do and highly 
respected citizens. 

1 1 RNRY B. RANKIN, is the son of Amberry A. and Arminda I Rogers) Rankin ; 
his father was born near Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 30, 1806, and came to Illinois in 1828; 
his mother was burn in Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 2d. 1803, and came to Illinois with 
her parents in 1818. The subject of this sketch is the third of a family of four, viz., 
-lames A., who was born June 10, 1832, and, at the age of 20. sailed for Chili, South 
America, by way of Cape Horn, and remained in South America sixteen years, the first 
part of which time was spent in travel and correspondence with various journals of the 
United States, and later, became connected with Mr. Henry Meigs, as civil engineer 
and contractor in the railroad which Meigs was constructing for the Peruvian Govern- 
ment. His active life was terminated by a disastrous railroad accident near Iquique, 
Peru, Oct. 4, 1870, at which place he was buried. Edward L., another son, horn 
March 14, L835, and, Sept. 20, 1860, was married to Miss E. 11. Searle, of Rock 
[sland, 111., and, in 1861, located in Keokuk Co.. Iowa, where he has since resided; 
they have one child — James E.. born July 28, 1867. Henry B , the subject of our 
sketch, who was bom April 7, 1837, still resides on the old homestead, where he was 
born, which was the first claim and home of his grandfather, Matthew Rogers. His 
wife was Miss Alma Hurd, of Tonica, La Salle Co.. 111. ; they were married May 4, 
1864, and have two children — Fred H., born May 18, 1865, and Albert EL, Nov. 27, 
1876; Emma F., deceased. Among the pioneers and honored citizens of Menard Co., 
none are better known than A. A. Rankin, nor more worthy of historical notice as a 
representative man. He has always taken an active part in all matters of public wel- 
fare. 

WILLIAM F. ROBERTS, physician, Athens; son of Col. Thomas and Ann M. 
(Taggart) Roberts; was born in Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., June 4, 1834. His 
father was a soldier of the war of L812, during which he was made Colonel, and was fur 
many years a prominent merchant of Winchester, and died in 1837, after which, his 
mother and family removed to Washington, D. O, and, in 1842, they removed to Zanes- 
ville, Ohio. In 1>17, they came to Illinois, locating in Athens, where his mother now 
lives. During his early life here, he learned the trade of a cabinet maker, by which 
business he afterward obtained money to attend school. After getting a good education, 
he resolved to become a physician, and, in 1859 and 1860, he attended the Jeffersjn 
Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he graduated in i860, and located at 
* ! reen view, in this county, and began practice. In 1861, he came to Athens, and dur- 
ing the late war, was commissi ined Assistant Surgeon of the 106 h 1. V. I., alter which 
he was commissioned First Surgeon of the 28th 111. Regt. Since the war, he has been 
diligently engaged in the practice of his profession, at Athens, with the exception of a 
short period at Greenview. He is considered a well-read and able physician. His wife 
was Ann lv, daughter of Joseph 15. and Catherine i Ball) Avers, of this county. Thej 
were married Oct. II. 1856. She was born Jan. 29, 1840, and died May Hi, 1879 
leaving a family of seven children. In the sprinir of 1879, he embarked in the drug 
business, and is building up a line trade. 

WILLIAM I,. RANKIN, farmer; P.O.Athens; Bon of James and Anna (Dills) 
Rankin; was born in Harrison (.'<.. Ky., Sept. 15, 1816, and. in L833, came wi h his 
parents to Illinois, locating when- he now lives, and where his parents died — his mother, 
Oct. 27. 1858, and his father, Dec. 1, 1861. He is the ybungeel of a family o! 
three only of whom are now living, and has lived upon the old homestead since i 
He has twice married ; first, to Miss Mary E. Sudduth, of Sangamon 22 



BIOOH LPHICAL BCBTCHBS: 

1842; she died July 15, 1859, leaving four children T. bora An- 2, l- 

Oaroline now Mrs II. C. Hun . born Nov. 14, 1844; Benjamin C. who died in the 
;inn\ daring the late war . bora March 18, 1846, died Maj \. L865; J L 

born Sept. _' I 1855, and now living i M ch 29, I860, b i married 

Mi— daughter of Elisha and Lucinda C Primm, by whom he has 

hildren living — Anna M., bora April *J7. IS M., born June l. IS 

William L., bora Jan B, 18l T., bora March 28, 1870; Lucinda ('.. bora 

1872 Herman P., bora July 31, 1>77 BCr. Rankin hae followed farming and 
stock-dealing thu< far through life, and is one of the prominent and well to-do oil 
of the county. He owns 1,800 acres in this county, including the homestead farm, also 
:: 000 acres in Missouri, and 7,080 acres in Iowa. He is on of the ^< -1 i-1 men of I 
tral Illinois, and is enterprising and benevolent. !!<• has always taken an active part in 

all matter- j> rtaining to the general g 1 of the community. Be i- now occupied in 

ln(ikiii'_ r after the interests and welfare of his family and property II resides near 
Athens, and has one of the finest farm residences in Central Dlinois. lli^ present high 
position as a citizen and a capitalist is wholly the result of his uprightness, en 
industry, and L r '»>d financiering in handling Btook, in which bosin as he has been largely 
engagi '1 for many j • 

W. B TURNER, farmer, and a pioneer of Menard Cx, was bora in Tens 

M h 1 1802, and was raised principally in Madison <'<>.. Ohio; he is thes fJohn 

and Hannah (Balenger) Turner; his parents removed from Tennessee to Madison 

1 >hi.>. while he was quite Bmall, and after be became grown he was put to the 
trade of s tanner, which business he has followed Borne twenty-five years in lllin"i-<; hi-* 
parents came to Illinois, locating where W. B. now lives, in an early day; his parents 

married when they were but about 19 years old, and lived together as man and 
wife for about seventy years, and died within a few months of each other. W. 15 was 
married to Miss Joanna Bracken, of this county, Oct. 16, 182S - born in Bath 

29, 1808 They are the parents of eleven children, only four of whom 
are now living, viz., Alfred, born Maj 23, 1830 Robert L !■'■ b. 23 1834; Lucinda 
I; kug.31, 1839, dow Mrs. E. Worth; William V Sept. 2, 1850. Mr. and Mrs 
Turner havo long been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. 
Turner has been a Deacon f>r upward of forty years. They are well-to-do and reap 
citizens, and now live t.. Bee the usefulness and prosperity of their children. 

E. I» THOMAS, physician, Athens, son of Joseph K. and Sarah Hawth 
Thomas, was born in St. Clair Co., Ill . Feb. 28, ! - I I : his fath r was, for a number of 
a prominent attorney of Baton Rouge, La., married in Mississippi, and came to 
Illinois about 1844. The Bubjeot of this Bketch obtained his early education at 
Waverly, x l Co., 111., in 1861, he enlisted with luih I. V. I . he served in the 

late war four and a half years, participating in many of the m tst severe battles and 
akirmishi - one of the fortunate ones who escaped without injury; after the war. 

he returned and took a commercial course at Springfield, and began the Btudy of med- 
icine, under Dr. A. II. Lanphear, of Springfield ; he took up the practice of medicine 
, • hens in 1 868, and has since devoted his time and attention to his practii e ; lie i- a 
well-read and able physician. In l^7''> and 1874, he attended tie- Sterling Medical 
College, from which he graduated, lie married Miss Mary Shipps, of Chatham, Ohio, 

1868; Bhe a is born Sept. 21, 1849. They have three children— Helen \ 
b irn 1 1 'Hard 1»., June 23, 1 -7 » . Nathaniel II Aug 14, 18' 

\\ B.THOMPSON Professor of the North Sangamon \ Elihu 

and Mary McKnighO Thompson, was born in M Co., Ohio, Dec 13 1848; hi> 
early education was obtained at Ch id ince added to his store of 

knowledge by close appli with his pares 

Illinois in 1861, served for a time in the late war, and located in Richland Co.; be 
removed to Minnesota in 1867, and taught school in Winona Co., an I. in ul to 

Mich., thence t<> Clairmont, III., where he w her, until 

1>7_'. when he was appointed Principal of the North Sangamon Academy for a time, 

which be taught th 3 • >l for over foil hen 



GREENVIEW PRECINCT. 727 

appointed to his present position ; he is a young man of fine mental powers. He mar- 
ried Miss Laura -J., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Higgins) White, March 14, 
1878. They have had one child, Mary E., hum Jan. 5, 1879. 

R. F.WHITE, son of Robert White, was horn in St. Clair Co., 111., Feb. 27, 
1819, and came with his parents to Illinois, in 1819, and in 1820, to where 11. F. now 
lived, and where his parents died. His father died Nov. 27, 1847, and his mother, 
April 2, 1867 ; they raised a family of five, three of whom are now living. The subject 
of this sketch was married to Miss Ruchel E., daughter of Needham and Prai 
(Hamilton) Roach, Oct. 31, 1844. They have had seven children, three only of 
whom are now living — John E., Mary E. and Esther A., now Mrs. William T. Moore. 
Mr. and Mrs. White reside upon the old homestead, of which they own 240 acres ; 
they have lived a useful life, and are highly respected. 

COL. JOHN WILLIAMS, President and Manager of the Springfield & North- 
Western Railroad, and President of the First National Bank of Springfield; is the sou 
of James and Hannah (Mappin) Williams, and was born in Bath Co., Ky., Sept. 11, 
1808 ; he came to Illinois with his parents in 1823, who located where the Colonel now 
resides. Here they entered a large tract of land, and the Colonel entered one section , 
here his father died in 1834, and his mother in 1855. A further mention of his 
parents is given in the general and township history. During the late war, Mr. Will- 
iams was appointed, by Gov. Yates, to the office of Commissary General of the State 
he served in this capacity about two years, then was appointed Manager of Sanitary 
affairs ; he served in a number of honorable and prominent positions during the war. 
lie has been prominently connected with the First National Bank of Springfield for 
many years, and has accumulated a large property, lie became connected with the 
S. & N.-W. R. R. in 1871. He owns and superintends a 1,400-acre stock farm, and 
has always been identified with public affairs. His wile is Lydia, daughter of Asa 
Porter, of Lima, X. V.; they were married March 31, 1840; she was born Aug. 28, 
1821 ; they have raised a family of six, who bid fair to become worthy citizens of this 
or any community in which they may ultimately locate. 

J. C. WEST, farmer; son of Jacob West ; was born in Sumner Co., Tenn., April 
14, 1808, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1833, locating in Knox Co., at which 
time J. C. West came to Menard Co., where he has since lived. His mother died in 
September, 1858, at the age of 81, and his father in March, 1868, aged 92. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Robert and Esther (McNabb) 
White, March 13, 1834 ; she was born in Grccn^Co., Ky., Feb. 20, 1812; they are the 
parents of eight children, only two of whom are now living — John M., a practicing 
physician, of Williamsville, 111., born Dec. 22, 1830, and .Jacob B., farmer, born Dec. 
3, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. West are workers in the Christian cause, and are respected 
citizens. 



GREENVIEW PRECINCT. 

J. D. ALKIRE, banker, Greenview ; was born in Menard Co.. 111., Feb. 10, 1 832 ; 
he is the youngest son of Leonard ami Catharine I Davis i Alkire. who came from Ohio 
to Illinois in 1823, and settled in Sugar Grove; here our subject passed his youth and 
early manhood on the farm of his father; he received BUch education a s» could be 
obtained from the schools of that early day ; at the age of 19, he and his brother L on- 
ard built a storeroom in the then newly laid out town of Sweet water, and put in a 
general stock of goods. Neither had had any experience in the mercantile bus;i 
and, strange as it may beem, they succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectation ; 
they continued in this business for a period of eight years, when they sold the - 
ami contents to William Engle A: Son ; not long after, they bought out Engle & Son. 
and continued in business for more than a year; they then sold out to a Mr. \\ hipp. 
In all of these transactions they were very successful, making money at every change 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

made ; 1 1 • i — was about the year 1862 . then for veu jean, the two 

broth ged in farming and the live-stock trade; in this. as in mercantile business, 

thej were verj rful; about this time they went to the Par West, where they 

improved a large ranch, and handled a large number of Bheep ; at the i nd of two and 
P years, the partnership that bai bra period "i* 

twenty-four y< I -I !>.. uur subject, taking the property they owned in 

i'l <'"., III., and his brother the ran ih an 1 bI i :k in Colorado after J. 1). A!-. 
return to bis native fi . and his eldeft brother, Mi! i a private bank in 

(he village of Greenview; this was the first enterprise of that kiml in Eastern Menard 
inaed in b it, with a c tpital of -^l 00,000 . at the expiration 

of that time they dissolved, and a n iw bank was started, under the name of Marbold, 
Alkii this is one <>f the b si and safest banking-houses in th ■ State, repr • 

ing a capital of 1150,000. He was united in marriage with Carol i D Si me, April 
15, ! is a native of Bath Co., Ky.; from this anion there were nine children, 

a of whom are now living— William P., John IV. Ei i K. Henry, Ethalinda, x ' 
ad a babe not named : the names of I I were Edwin I> and [da H 

Mr. Alkii M nard Co.'s wealthiest and m ted citizen.-, ami a self- 

made man. A Democrat in politics, bul quite liberal in 1 » i — views. 

DEDRRICfi AMERKAMP, farmer and S ; P. O. Greenview ; 

was 1 "»iii in Hanover, Germany, Oct 3, 1817. He pass '1 his youth and early man- 
hood in his native country, working on a farm and attending BchooL In 1843, be was 
united in marriage with Mary Ottman. Prom this union there were four children — 
Harmon, Annie K.. Catharine M. and Eliza M. All are married, and live in Menard 
In 1860, he emigrated to the United State-, and located in Greenview Precinct, 
M ird Co., 111., where he has Bince resided, and owns 500 acres of nicely impi 
land, which be has obtained b) close attention to business, combined with honesty and 
industry. He was again married this time to Mary Wansing, a nati 

imable lady. Mr. Amerkamp is oi f the most intelligent 

and influential men in the county. 

GEORGE W BLANE, farmer and stock-raiser, See 24; P. O. Greenview 
born in Menard Co., [II., July 1' G Diane, who came to Sugar 

M nard C in 1819. [rish Grove dern m the fact that in that 

year Mr. I his mother, three brothers and a Bister Btopped for - ime time in 

that grove. They were natives of Ireland, and were the first white persons who 

in that grove. He was married .-nun after settling in Sugar Grove to N, i 
M Ukir< Bister of Leonard Alkire, one of the early settlers of Sugar Gn 

■r of this Bketch was brought up to (arming, in which hi mtinued. 

He education — much better than most of the boys of that period who 

lived in the country. II remained with his father on the farm until L'T 
He was married to Harriet Cleveland Dec 18, 1862, daughter of Asa and Experience 
land, who in Menard Co., 111., May 11, 1-11 Her parents 

! Co. in 1840 Mr. Cleveland was a native of Vermont, and his wife 
Hampshire. Prom this union there were ten children, Bevcnofwhom arc now 
living— Minnie V., Jennii K I. B Mary A -l M., Geo W and -I i\ B 

anies of tl Herb irt \ and S idie \ M BI ine is i 

Republican, and at pi ndidate for County Commissi 

•It »l I N I' BLANl and sti was born in 

Menard Qo., 111., July 23 Blane, both of 

who , 1( The father was a native of Ireland, 

and came to Illinois as carlj as 1818, and to Sugar Grove, Menai I in 1819. He 
died in 1864. John P. passed his youth and early manhood on his lather'.- farm. He 
rach an education as '- of that day afforded. He was united in mar- 

Bracken Peb. 7. 1867. She was born in Menard Co., III., and is a 
liter of O. P. Bracken, one of the piom ' M Prom this union there 

' ur children, tl now living— Ella M.. born Jan. 19, 1871 ; Carrie 

M., born May 31, 1875, and I. • K. born March -.1-77. The name of the 



GREENVIKW PRECINCT. 7?9 

deceased was Emma F., bom Dec. 22, 1S(!7, died March 21, 1869. Mr. Blanc owns 
;'>(il acres of well-improved land; is a Republican in politics and a self-made man. 

0. P. BRADLEY, farmer and dealer in live-stock, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Greenview; 
was born in Bath Co., Ky., Feb. 28, 1831; son of Elijah and Martha (Hornback) 

Bradley, both natives of Kentucky. The father was a blacksmith, and was drowned in the 
Licking River when his sun was 1 4 years i'l' age. This left a family of nine children to the 
rare dl' the mother and older members of the family. Mr. Bradley passed his youth in 
Kentucky, a-sistin<_ r his mother to care for the family. At the age of 20, he commenced 
business for himself. He worked by the month fur some time, then rented a farm, and 
for Borne years rem lined there and followed farming. In 1853, he and his mother and 
family came to Menard Co., TIL. ami located on Salt Creek. Here be and bis brother 
bought 196 acres of wild prairie land. Since that time he has not only purchased his 
broiler's share of the land, but now owns Slid acres of well-improved land, 200 of which 
joins the villa- ■ of Greenview. His Salt Creek farm is one of theb st improve 1 and m 
pleasantly situated in the county. At the time of bis coming to Illinois he had but 
$250, and what he DOW has is due to close attention to business, honesty and industry. 
He was united in marriage with Amelia A. McDonald in 1856. She is a native of 
Bath Co., Ky. From this union there were eight children, seven of whom are now 
living — Almeda, William N., Lewis, Leander, Charles, Henry and Luther C. The 
name of the one deceased was Trinville. Mr. Bradley has devoted his time almost 
entirely to farming, and his skill and energy have met with deserved success. His judg- 
ment in handling live stuck has also been a source of material advantage. He has 
always voted the Democratic ticket, but is quite liberal in his views of men and things. 
He has always been liberal in bis support of moral and educational enterprises, the 
churches and schools of the n iighborhood, and has ever been foremost in the develop- 
ment of the best interests of the county. 

J. W. CALLAWAY, farmer and stock-raiser, See. llj ; P. O. Greenview ; was 
born in Woodford Co., 111.. Jan. 9, 1838, to which county his parents removed in 
1837. In lS4»i. they came to Menard Co., where our subject has since resided. He 
passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm and received such education 
as the schools of that early day afforded. On the breaking-out of the rebellion he 
enlisted in Company A, KUb I. Y\ ('., and served four years and eight months. He 
was in all the battles in which the "brave old Tenth" was engaged. There are few 
men who saw so much service and escaped without a wound. He was united in mar- 
riage to Sarah A. Glaspy Dec. 5, 1868. She was born in Morgan Co., 111., April 4, 
1850. From this union there are four children — Leonard, George, Edwin and Harry 
E. Mr. Callaway is a stanch Republican in politics, and owns eighty acres of nicely 
improved land, and is, in the fullest sense of the word, a self-made man. 

WILLIAM CLAYPOOL, farmer and dealer in livestock. Sec. 18; P. O. Green- 
view ; was born in Menard Co., 111.. March 14. IS.'!] ; his father. Levi, was a native of 
Virginia, and hi^ mother, whose maiden name was Melinda Rollins, was a native of 
Kentucky ; they came to Illinois in 1^2li. and located near where the village of Athens 
now is; here he lived until his death, which occurred Feb. 2, ISliT ; his wife survives 
him, and now resides in the village of Athens ; William remained with his lather, and 
assisted him on hi s farm until 28 years of age; he received a good common-school 
education, such as the advantages of those early days afforded. He was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Engle Sept. 30, 1863; she was born in Menard Co., III.. March 
26, 1846, and is the daughter of William Engle, one of the earlj 
Grove; they have one child — Edward Everett, born July 19, 1865. Mr. Claypool has 
been a resident of Greenview Precinct since 1864, and owns a nicely improved farm of 
t80 acres, which he has made by his own exerti 

W. K. DONALDSON, farmer and dealer in live stock, Sec. 9; P.O. Greenview; was 
born in Bath Co., Ky., July 16, 1824; son of Alex, and Sarah Power) Donaldson, 
both natives of Kentucky; in 1850, they came to Menard Co., and located five miles 

of Petersburg; he died in 1855, and bis wife survives him and is now 83 years of 
age; she is the mother of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. W. R. 



730 BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHE8: 

Donaldson came to Menard < !o. tax months before his parents ; in 1 B52, he went overland 
to California with a large drove of Bheep, Btarting in the month of February, and 
arrived in the Sacramento Valley in October, the same year; he remained there four 
yean and was engaged in different kinds of business, in all of which he was rery suc- 
I'ul : while he was ■ resident of Kentucky, he enlisted in Co. c,. '-'>\ Ky. V. I., and 
lerved. as a soldier in the war with Mexico; was under Gen. Scott, and participated in 
all the engagements, from thi the ancient city of the Montezumas; alter his 

return from California, he engaged in the live-stock trade, in which business he con- 
tinued for a number of yean with varied success; in 1864. he purchased t'_'" aer 
wild prairie land, six miles northeast of the village of Ghreenview; by close attention 
td business, be has not only nicely improved the land be at thai time purchased, but 
has since purchased seventy-five acres, and now owns 515 acres of nicely improved land. 
Bis wile, whose maiden name was Rebecca Soun, is a most estimable lady and has 

\ assisted him in acquiring what they now have; they have four children — 
Richard W .. Alexander G tod John. Mr. Donaldson is a Democrat and an ear- 

of the principles of the party, and is. in the fullest sense of the word, a 
self-made man. 

H. M. ENGLK, merchant, Greenview; among the prominent merchants and 
influential citizens of Menard Co. is Mr. M. M. Bngle. whose father, William 

. was one of the tir.-t settlers of Sugar Grove, having come there in 1823, His 
wife's maiden name «;i- Elizabeth Alkire, sister of Leonard Alkire, the well-known 
pioneer. Mr. Bngle, in his life-time, was a prominent and influential man and | i 
bly did as much to build up the interests and morals of the county as any other man 
of bis time ; he was the lather of twelve children, <>t' whom our subject is the youi 

but lllTee. He pa--ed MS Vi Hit ll at the old llo|||e-(ead ill tile Village of Sweet 

ting his lather on the farm and helping his mother indoors, as there were no girls 
sufficiently lar_-e to help her in the care of this large family. Mr. Bngle, Sr.,was horn 
in 1801 and departed this life in 1870; his wife survives him and resides with her -on. 
John, mar Sweetwater. M. M. Bngle received such education in early life as the school? 
efth.it day afforded; at the age of 17, he was Bent to Bureka College, where he 
remained a year ; he then attended Berean College, at Jacksonville, two years, at the 
expiration of which time he came home. and. together with his fatler. bought out the 
Alkire Bros, in Sweetwater; thi- was his introduction to mercantile business ; he and 
his father kept the Btore Bome time, ami then .-old out Soon after thi-, April 17. 1 - 
he was united in marriage with Annie M. Marbold, a native of Hanover, Germany, 
horn May 6, 1^11 ; from this union there were sil children, five of whom are now liv- 
ing — Milein M.. Elizabeth, Henry 8., Charles L. and Lewis P. W.; the name of the 
one deceased was Harmon W. Mr. Bngle is at this time engaged in the mercantile 

hii.-in BS in the villa_ of Cre. nview; he has a good trade and i- a thorough H 1 1 - i 1 1 • ■ - - 
man 

• I T FOSTER, merchant, Greenview; in Marion County. 1ml. duly 25, 1836, 
the subject ol this sketch lir-t saw the light; beisthesonof Augustine E. and Permelia 
Foster, both Datives of Kentucky; their removal from Kentucky to Indiana occurred 
in 1835 ; then- they remained a few yean and then returned to Kentucky; here thej 
lived until their removal to Sangamon Co., 111., in 1843. The aon was brought up to 
farm labor, in which he continued until 1865, when he engaged in mercantile busi 
in the town of Greenview, Menard Co.; in this he has since continued. He was united 
in marriage with Martha E, Smith April 10. 1856; -he was born in Owen Co., Ind. 
duly 28, 1 B37 ; eight children have been born to them. -i\ of whom are now livinj 
Martha A Rosetta P " Phi m is L., > irah B. and Ad lie M . 

dam.- V and Lincoln J. Mr. Foster is a stanch Republican and a consistent member 
of tl M I Church. 

GAGES QRITMAN,rarmei nd stock rab born 

m CI , N. Y., Dec. 13, IE father, Hiram Gritman, was horn in Delaware 

1 N. Y., July 23, 1^"7. and his mother, whose maiden name w a- l,\di:i l>. Luther. 

_'7 1805, in Massachuseti G S. passed hi- youth and early 



GREENVIEW PRECINCT. 731 

manhood on his father's farm, assisting him in raisin- crops during the spring and summer, 
and in the winter teaching school ; in the Bpring of 1856, he came Weal and resided al 
Middletown, Logan Co., 111., for a period of three years ; engaged in farming and school 
teaching. Ln August, 1862, he was enrolled as Fifth Sergeant in Co. K, 1 06th I. V. 

I. ; soon after he was chosen Orderly Sergeant of his company, which position he held 
ahout two years; he was then commissioned First Lieutenant of his company, which 
office he held unjil July, 18(55, when he received his discharge; soon after his return 
from the army, he was united in marriage with Ruth A. Jackson, who was horn in Ohio 
Nov. 25, 1844; from this union there are six children — William L., hern Dec. II, 
L866; Harry E., Jan. 14, 1869 ; Blanche E., Feb. 8,1871 ; Harvey I- Aug-8, is;:; j 
Frank 11.. Nov. 15, 1876, and Charles E., Oct. 18, 1878. Mr. Ghritman has been a 
resident of Greenview Precinct since 1858, and owns 160 acres of improved land, the 
results of his untiring energy and toil. In politics he has always been a Republican, 
although liberal and generous in his views of men and things. 

SPENCEB GIBBS, retired farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Middletown; the grand- 
father of Spencer Gibbs was an emigrant from England, and, on his arrival in this 
country, settled in Delaware, and, with his son Stephen (father of Spencer), worked in 
the well-known powder-mills of Dupont, the old gentleman superintending: the work ; 
from there they went to Baltimore, Md., to superintend the running of the powder- 
mills of James Beatty, of that city; in that place, Sept. lb, 1825, Spencer Gibbs was 
born ; his mother's maiden name was Mary Ellis ; she died in 18-12 ; in the fall of 1 - 
the grandfather and his sons came West and located in different parts of Menard Co., 
111. ; Stephen Gibbs Bettled near Athens and remained two years, when he removed to 
Irish Grove, where he lived and followed farming until his death, which occurred in 
1 sTli. The subject of this sketch passed his early life on his father's farm ; at 17 years 
of age, he was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade; this business he has followed, 
together with farming, all his life. He was married to Louisa Alkire Dec. 24, 1845; 
she was born in Menard Co. March 28, 1827 ; her father, John Alkire, was one of the 
first settlers of Sugar Crove; from this union there were five children, three of whom 
are now living — William R., born July 24, 1847; Charles, June 27. \<>l ; Laura, 
An-. 10, 1 B68 ; the names of those deceased are Lavina, born April 6, I s 19, died May 
17. 1849. and John, born Feb. 7, 1855, died in early life. Mrs. Gibbs died Oct. 14, 
1878. Mr. Gibbs' habits of earnest thought and thorough investigation have led him 
to take a decided stand in regard to the issues of the day; he was an Old Line \\ 
and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor; on the organization of the Republican 
party he joined it. He owns 103 acres of land, and is emphatically a self-made man. 

ELDEB DANIEL TRAVIS HUGHES, druggist, Greenview; was born near 
Flcmingsburg, Fleming Co., Ky., Jan. :!, ls2i>; the youngest, but two, of a family of 
eight sons and four daughters, of James Hughes, extensively known in Kentucky, 
Indiana and Illinois, as a devout Christian and a minister in the Christian Church. He, 
with his family, emigrated to Sangamon Co., 111., in 1830, and settled at Sugar Grove, 
then in Sangamon Co.. but now in Menard, but was permitted to remain with his family 
in their new home but a short time, when, altera long and severe illness, he was called to 
his reward. This occurred Dec 11, 1834. Soon after, the older members of the family 
scattered abroad to do for themselves, leaving the mother with the care of four little ones 
and but little means. This lady, the second wife of James Hughes, and a woman of 
Btrong constitution, firm faith in God and unyielding determination, provided lor these 
children, and maintained them until they grew op, by labor at her loom and spinning- 
wheel. Three of them died before she was called to her reward. Her death occurred 

3, 1 358. Daniel, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 15. on confession of his 
faith in Christ, was immersed by Rev. John A. Powell, but. owing to the somewhat. 
unsettled state of the Church at the time, he did not identify himself with it, and. in the 
course of a few years, had become what is usually termed a "backslider. In this con- 
dition he did not long remain, and. at a meeting held at Sugar Grove,in I852,by Elder 
Philemon Vawter, he was receive d into the fellowship of the Church, and at once became 
one of its strongest supporters and earnest workers. In the fall of 1859, he was ehoscn 



71 - BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

one of the Elden >>t said Church, and, in July, 1862, be was ordained an I'. 
which office he baa ever since held. Those officiating si the ordination were Elden 
William Engle, D. A. Alkire and John II. Hughes, ao older brother of his, who was an 
Evangelist in that Church. On the 1 1th oi September, 1856, he \v:is united in marriage 
with Marl wn Prom this anion there were eight children, three of whom are 

now living Mr. Hughes has held the office of Justice of the I' for a number of 
for four yean a member of the County Court His labon in theChurch 
have afined for most part t" Menard ami adjoining counties, although he has 

labored in [owa, Kansas and M where he is known as a devout Christian and a 

G jpel At present, he i- I during the week in his 

drug Btore, and attending to the duties of his office <>!' Justice of tin- I' in 1. >'n Sun 

ristiao Church at Greenview, and in those of the surrounding 
country, and i* one of the most prominent and influential men in the county. 

STITH T III RST, physician, Greenview; was born in Washington Co., Ky., 
•"'. 1844. His father, James Hunt, was a native oi Kentucky, bis mothi 
South Carolina She died when her son \va- bu\ '■'• months old. In 1849, he 
removed with bis fath u to Menard Co., III., where he has resid d most of the lime Binoe. 

(listed in Co. A, I52d I. V. I., and served until the close of the war. In i 
life, his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited, but, by perseverance ami 
energy, h< I in obtaining a liberal education, and engaged in school-teaching, 

and attending school for a period oi four yean, after his discharge from the army. Dur- 
ing this time, I as best be could Buch medical books as his limited means would 

: of his buj ing. < me year of this time, he devoted exclusively to the Btudy of his 

en profession I i 1869, he attended his first course of lectures at Rush Medical 
Chicago, and. in 1^71, he graduated from that school 
M I' His union with Marietta Walker was celebrafa born 

in Menard Co., 111. Aug 28, I -17. and is a daughter of Joseph Walker, one of the 
pion< Menard Co. I>r. Hunt owns a nicely improved property in the town of 

G i view, and a nice and tastily arranged office on the public square. He owes his 

» in life I close attention to business and economy and is. in the 

fullos the word, a self-made man. He is a Republican, and a member of the 

Cumberland Presbyterian Churoh. 

JOHN HAMIL, farmer and dealer in live stuck. Sea 23 P. Greenview. 
\ se who has fully identified himself with all the inl Menard Co., i 

period of forty yean, none i- more deserving of notice than John Hamil. II. ■ was born 
in Shenandoah 7 1821; his father died when he was a child, leaving 

him in care of his grand his mother's side an 1 his mother. In an early day, 

the (grandparent m >ved to Tw I >hi >, taking young Hamil wirh him ; 

the i : i and early manhood, working on the farm of his grandfather, 

and remained until 1839, when he came to Illinois, and located in Shelby ville; their 
he engaged in the mail from that point, by way of Clinton, to Bloomington, 

and from Bloomington to Springf this about 

two yean, and then can, ind, for a number of yean, worked by the 

month fur the farmen in that locality. During thi> time, he h ;h money, 

from iii- n is of land; soon after d married 

\ Borden, M • 12, 184-1 They had nine children, four of whom are now 
living— William A., John I' ind Lawreno I' nam - oi I 

Mary C, and three infants. Mn. Hamil died on March 22 1-7" 
II married, on July 25, 1871, to Mrs. Agnes M \ id rson, wh m maiden i 

was \ He By this union there are two childn M 3 M. and Frederick L He 
farm of 57 dl of which is under a high state of culti- 

mt quite conservative, and a consistent member of the Cumber- 
land Presbj terian Church. 

MALKOM HUBLY, farmer and dealer in live gtook, P <» Mason 

is 1 native of Canton Schwyts, Switserland ; he remained at home, with his 

, id ll yean old; his father then entered him as an appr the trade 



GREEN VI KW PRECINCT. 733 

of a blacksmith ; owihg Lo an accident, he did not serve the full time of his apprentice- 
ship. After his return home he assisted his father in feeding his stock. He lefl borne 
at the age of 14, and worked, by the month, for a number of years in an adjoining can- 
ton, receiving, at different times, 50 cents. 7~> cents, and $1 a week. .March 1 1, 1849, 
belauded in New Orleans; he did not Ion- remain there, but look passage on a steam- 
boat for Cincinnati, On his arrival there he had less than $5 in rn mey, and it was 
some time before In; could find employment ; at last be hired to a Parmer from Hutler 
Co., Ohio ; while working for him, be was married to Miss Catharine Wiget, Their 
capital, at that time, consisted of S14. In March, 1856, he came to Springfield, and 
worked for some time in a brickyard; be then removed to Irish Grove. Menard Co., 
where be lived six years, and was engaged in farming. In 1872, he rem >ved to Salt 
Creek, Q-reenview Precinct, and there engaged in farming and cattle -feeding, lb- has 
accumulated a good property, ami has id sntified himself with all the interests of the 
county. 

HARMON II. MEYER, farmer and dealer in stojk, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Greenview : 
was horn in Hanover. Germany, Feb. 1G, 182t3 ; be passei bis youth and early man- 
hood in bis native country, working on a farm ; be emigrated to the United States in 
IS,")!. The first years in the New World were passed in a brickyard in St. Louis, Mo., 
working for very low wages ; at the expiration of that time, he came to Menard Co., 
III., where be has since resided ; he worked by the month for some time, and by economy 
and industry, saved sufficient means to buy 200 acres of wild prairie land, near 
Creek ; helms since added to this, by purchase, 200 acres more, all now well-improved laud, 
lie was united in marriage with Dorotha Hackman Dec. 18, 1855; they have two 
daughters — Amelia, born July 10, 1857, and Margaret, born Jan. 15,1850. Mr. Meyer 
came to the county a poor, unknown, and almost friendless German boy, but, by Ins 
energy, industry and honorable conduct, be has become a representative man of Men- 
ard Co. He is emphatically a self-made man. 

H. II. MAHBOLD, banker and dealer in live stock, Greenview ; was born in the 
Province of Hanover, Prussia, April 21, 1835; son of John H. and Maria E. | Sher- 
hom) Marbold, both natives of Hanover; the former was born May 7, 1800, and the 
latter Feb. 2, 1809; they were united in marriage Nov. 3, 1829, and were the parents 
of six children, three of whom are now living; the mother departed this life in Septem- 
ber, 1843; they came to this country and landed at New Orleans Nov. 17. 1847; they 
stopped there a short time, and also in the city of St. Louis, when they came to Peters- 
burg, Menard Co., Dec. 6, same year; they remiined in Petersburg about three years, 
when the father bought 200 acres of land near the village of Sweetwater, upon which 
the\ moved and where they have since resided. 11. H. Marbold received a good lit- 
erary education and, at the same time, a much better practical one, for, when quite 
young, his father furnished him with means to trade in cattle, a basin iSS he has su 
fully followed ever since. He was united in marriage with Margaret Hackman June 

I860; she was born in the Province of Hanover, Prussia, Jan. 14. 1840; from 
this union there were six children, three of whom are now living— Anna M., born Aug. 
21, 1861 ; John II., April 17, 1865, and Benjamin I"., Dec. 14, 1 s 7 7 . Tin' names of 
the deceased are — Dora, born duly 2<>, 1871, died Feb. 1<>. 1^77; Henry II.. born 
April 6, 1874, died Feb. 19, 1 V T7. and a babe who died in infancy. In 1876, Mr. 
Marbold built a large two-Story brick building in the village of Greenview, at a cost of 
$12,000, in which was started a banking linn known as Marbold. Alkire & ( '" II 
owns 2, (KM) acre., of land, upon which he grazes and feeds a large number of cattle 
each year ; he has always been liberal in hi- support of moral an I educational enter- 
prises, the churches and schools of the neighborhood, and has ever 1> sen foremost in the 
development of the best interests of the county. 

JAMES MONTGOMERY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O. Middletowu; wasborn 
in Gibson Co., Ind., dan. 27. I 838 : Bon of Thomas d. and Sarah Stone i Montgomery , 
the firmer a native of Kentucky, but came, with his parents, to Indiana when I 
child, and the latter a native id' Indiana; after their marriage, they remained in Indi- 
ana until the fall of 1849, when they moved to I> Menard Co., III. Mr. 



TM BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Montgon rod bis brother-in-law Mr. 8 re the first settlers of that grove. 

Thomas J. and Sarah Montgomery were the parents of seventeen children, tin 
whom are now living; Thomae Montgomery departed this life Dee. 9, 1868, and his 
wife, in April, 1861. Daring the late war, three ,,[ the Bona were in the army — Jamee, 
Richard and Samuel; the bat two never lived to see their old home in Illinois again. 
The Bubjecl of this -k. t<h was in Co. <i 38th [. "V I and served th with 

honor and distinction, and was in the following notable engagements, through all of* 
which he escaped without :i wound Stone River, Chickamauga, Perryville and all the 

_ in. nts between Mission Ridge and Atlanta ; after the capture of Atlanta, he, with 
hie command, was sent back to re-enforce Gen. Thomas, where they arrived in tim< to 
participate in the bloody battle of Nashville, Tenn. ; he was discharged al Huntsville, 
Ala.. 1 1 1 \ i 1 1 ir been in active service for more than three years. Perhaps there is nol ■ 
man in Menard Co. who can Bhow a better war record than James Montgomery. Be 
. lite and manhood working on his father's farm; received a very indif- 
ferent education. Soon after 1 » i — return from the army, he was united in marriage with 
Saral Sept. l'u. 1866; they had five children, four of whom are now living — 

Calvin (.'.. born Jan. 3, 1868: Arthur M., Aug. B, L869; Edgar \\\. March 15, 1871, 
and Averj !».. March ■">. 1-7:;. Be was married Jan. 23, 1879, to Miss Blisah 

son, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Montgomery owns 160 acres of well-improved 
land, and is a consistent member of the C. P. Church. His onlj sister, Elisabeth, 
with him. and is an intelligent young lady. 

JOHN A. PETRIE, dealer in hardware, (arm implements and grain, Greenview ; 
was born in Fleming ('<>.. Ky., Feb 28, 1 B56, and i- tin- son of D. A. and II. C. 1'. trie. 
In 1865, he came with his parents to Greenview, Menard ('".. where lie has lived most 
of the time ever sino In early life, he worked on a farm, but, after his father rem 
to Illinois, iie attended "tie ul" the hot colleges iii the State until his " junior " year ; he 
then came home, ami engaged in the lumber trade with hi- father. At the end of two 
partnership was tunned betwei n a Mr Frorer, of Lincoln, his lather and him- 
self, he style of the firm being Pel ie \ Co. They engaged in the hardware, farm 
implement ami -rain business. Since that time, the father 1m- retired from the firm, 
leaving hi- son and Mr Frorer alone in th.' busin — \t the present time, they are 
doingan immense business, which is in a great measure duo to Mr. I', trie'.- dose atten- 
tion tn business and upright dealing. They keep the largest ami most complete stock 
of hardware and tinware to be found in M nard Co, He was united in marriage with 
Samantha Pie ;: They have two children Nina Edith, born Nov. 13, 

1-77 rod Ev< M . born -l o. 14. 1879. Mrs. rein-- parent- have been residents of 

d < '" for thirty four y< are. Her mother was a 1 1 art well, whose parent.- settled near 
Athen-. in an early day. 

LEWIS PAGE, farmer and stock-raiser, Se< 19; P. O. Greenview ; born in Idem 

in-' <'". K\ , Oct. 28, 1838; son of Alle I Clarinda Lawrence P e natives of 

Kentucky. He lived with his parents until 17 year- old, then he began doing for him- 
self, working by the month on a farm, for about three years. Be then came to Menard 
Co., 11!.. where he baa since resid id. At the time of his coming to Illinois, he had m> 
mean- whatever, and what he now has be ha- made by his own exertions. Be was 
united in marriage with Mary A Barnes Sept •"». 1861. She was born in Logan Co., 
[II., Oct ■". 1835. Thej bad six children, tive now living — Lucy J born An 
1862; Clara. Dec. 19, 1867; John A.. Sept. ;,. 1869; Annie I 13, 1-7:;. and 

14,1875 I — Elita C, born May 10, 1864, died Jan. 22, 1877. Mr 

•wn- 155 veil-improved land, and is a consistent member of the Christian 

Church, a- i- hi- wife al 

l»\\ll> A. PETRIE, dealer in lumber, and builder and contractor, Greenview ; 
was b ii in Herkimer Co., N. Y . Pee. 21, 1828, when- he lived until 26 year- <>\ 
he then went West, and located in Fleming Co., Ky. There he was married April 30, 
1855, t<> Hannah C. Lewellin. She was born in Fleming Co., Ky.. March 24, 1 
Mr. Petrie's father was a native of Holland, and died when David was a child. His 
mother, whose maiden name of the famous Irish patriot, 



QREENVIEW PRECINCT. 735 

O'Connell, and a native of New York. Mrs. Petrie's father was a native of Virginia, 
and in early life came to Kentucky, where he w;is united in marriage with Lydia Hart 
Mr. D. A. Petrie has had eight children, six of whom are now living — John A., whose 
biography appears in this work, horn Feb. 8, 1856; Clarence A, April 21,1859; 
Prank II., dun,' 25, 1861 ; Lucy G., May 4, 1863; Lydia A . March 21, 1867, and 
Claude, Sept. 22, 1873; deceased— Phebe A., born April 20, 1869, and died Oct 
1870, and Charles A., horn Dec. 28, 1871, and died July 18, 1872. Mr. Petrie lived 
in Fleming Co., Ivy., until 1865, at which time he came with his family to Greenview, 
Menard Co., 111., where he has since resided. Mr. Petrie, with his family, lived in Ken- 
tucky during the late war, where he was a strong Union man, although he took no 
active part. Me was a soldier in the Mexican war, and in one of the engagements was 
wounded five times. He is a self-made man, and owes his success in life to his close 
attention to business, industry and economy. He is the owner of several nicely 
improved properties in the town of Greenview, and one of its prominent and leading 
citizens. 

C. C. PATTERSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Middletown; was born in 
Adair Co., Ky., Dec. 6, 1828; son of J. W. and Jane (Ramsey; Patterson; they were 
the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living; in 1829, they came from 
Kentucky to Irish Grove, Menard Co., where they continued to live until their decease ; 
C. C. Patterson passed his youth and early manhood upon the farm of his father, and 
received such education as the schools of that time afforded; he was in the late war in 
Co. K, 17th 111. V. I., and was in the following engagements: Fredcricktown, Mo.. Ft. 
Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Meridian, and a number of lesser engagements. He 
was united in marriage with Martha IS. Lloyd April L6, l s <i7; from this union there 
were three children — John L.. Charles J. and Francis L. ; he was married Dec. 25, 
1875. to Miss Mary F. Shipley; from this union there is one child — lames <). Mr. 
Patterson owns eighty acres of well-improved land. Is a stanch Republican in politics. 
and a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He has made what lie now has 
by his own exertions. 

0. P. PAULSON, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable, Greenview; was 
horn I'd). 5, 1834, in Helsingburg, Sweden; he worked on a farm with his lather until 
16 years of age. when he entered a carriage shop and served an apprenticeship of four 
years; he then, according to the law of the country, served one year in the army ; he 
then entered an agricultural school, where he continued for more than a year; after 
leaving school, he engaged chiefly in farming until he came to this country, in 1868 : he 
worked at his trade in ChioagO for some time, and then came to Greenview and com- 
menced in the livery business ; in this he has since continued, with the exception of 
three years, when he wa< engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Bettie 
Nilson Oct. l^(i, 1859 ; she was born in Helsingburg, Sweden, Sept. *2i'>, 1834 ; they had 
sis children, three of whom are now living — Fritz <}., born Feb. 22, 1861 ; Emma, 
July --, 1862 ; Ida 11.. Nov. L3, 1866; the names of the deceased are — -Ida, horn June 
10, 1864, died Sept. 11. 1865; S. M.. bom dune 28, 1871, died duly IF 1872; 
Sophia \\\, born May 26, L873, died Feb. 21, 1874. 

IF K. RULE, grocery merchant, Greenview; is prominent among the younger men 
of Menard Co. ; his father, Samuel Rule, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he resided for 
a number of years; he then moved to Ohio, and from therein 1852 to Menard Co., 111. ; 
his wife, a most estimable lady, whose maiden name was Magdalens Bowser, was a 
native of Maryland and the mother of eight children, three of whom are now living— 
IF K.. David' of the firm of Rule & Rule, Petersburg, 111. u and Mrs. M J. Bitter 
(wife of Col. R. A. ltitter, of the 28th I. V. [.). IF K. Rule spent his youth and 
early manhood on his father's farm ; bis education was such as could be obtained from 
the schools of that time, and he became quite proficient in the; branches commonly 
taught; he resided in Mason Co. some years, and was Assistant Circuit Clerk of that 
county four years. His marriage with Mary J. Godbey occurred Nov. 29, 1859 ; she 
was born in Menard Co. May 29, I s id , and is the daughter ^l' Russell Q idbey, wl 
sketch appears in this work; from this union they have three children — Fttie F., born 



786 BIOGRAPHICAL SKfiTCl 

3, 1860 ; Richard R., May 10, IS - tel H., June 16, 1868. H. K. R 
born in 8eneoa Co., Ohio, May 20, 1840; he has been ■ resident of the village of 

iview ;i Dumber of years, and has done . al to make ami sustain 1 1 * « - 

oame tin- town now bears. Be was one of the first officers and charter members of 
N & A M. . bis wife is a memfo i P Bastei 

Petersburg, and a consistent member of the I J:i j t i ~t Church. Mr. Rule 
Democrat in politics, and from his boyhood has been an earnest advocate of it.- princi- 

md mcasu 

WILLIAM A STONE, rarm - 13; P. 0. Green view; 

was born in Botetourt Co., Va., Oct. 20, 1809. Bis parents came to Kentucky in an 
early day, where tl i until their removal to [rish Grove, Menard Co., 111., in 

Bis fathi r, Mosi b Stone, was a Dative of Bedford Co., Va., as well as his mother, 
iden oame was Nanc) SVhittin. At the time of their coming to Illinois, they 
had but little "f this world's goods, and a family of twelve children depending on them. 
The year following 1 1 i«*ir coming, both parents died. Thus, in a oew and unsettled 
country, twelve children were left to the care of Providence and the few aeighbors 
in that vicinity. The subject of this sketch being one <>f 1 1 » • * older members of the 
family, the greater part of th bility of caring for the orphat ed children fell nn 

him. Be, with th I for them until they were able to 

do for themselves il is now the oldest living representative of the family, seven of 
ili'- children !>• S ne was o soldier in the Blaok Hawk war. and aJs 

r in the Mexican war. Be was intimately acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, who 
frequent visitor at his house. Mr. Stone, for a cumber of years, commanded * 
company of State Militia, and is still called "Capt Stum." Be married Martha J. 
Patterson April '•'>. 1833, who was a Dative of Adair Co., K\ . and oame, with her 
parents, to Irish Grove at an early day. They had nine children, eight of whom 
dow living— Caleb T., James P., Lucella K.. Margaret C, John L., Claudius L. Will- 
iam L. and Bertha \ Vlartha E. Mrs. Stone departed this life Sept 
24, 1 — T I In earlj life, Mr. St. me and his wife connected themselves with the Pn 
terian Church. 1 i m d hAve done so much for the cause of religion. Although 
not an educated man, he has taken great care to educate his children well, Bending them 
to the b< at colleges and s iminaries in the country. Be alw ivs has been a pub- 

liean ever sii the party was organised. At present, Mr. Stone owns ^"><» acres 

improved land, which he has made by close attention t.> business. Be hss given his 

children upwat i. and has always been r iny- 

thing that he believed would be of general benefit. Be has held a Dumber ofpoai 

of profit and trust, and acquitted himself with honor. 



SUGAR CROVE PRECINCT. 

I> II LLKI RE, merchant, Sw born in Madison Co., Ohio, D 

• l \ Ilk ire, removed to Sugar Grove, in wl 
dow known as Menard Co., III. The father was a native,.)' Kentucky, and the mother, 
le maiden name was Jan Dative of Virginia, Our su 

Jit up nn his fathers farm, in the vicinity of Sweetwater, where he received 
such education as th.' rly day afforded. At -\ y< .his 

father gave him . i wild prairie land, ami he commenced business for 

himself. Be spent five years improving his land, when he 1 in the live 

trade and hotel business in the village of Williamsvil cpira- 

twatcr, and engaged in mercantile business, in 
i he has since continued. In allot hi- but ions, he has been very 

•-lid. and is what is pro] - |f-made man. II.- was united in niai 

with. Sarah Hay den in 1>I7. She .- a Dative of Kentucky, and her parents 

ag the first M I Co. Prom this union there were six children, four 



SUGAR GROVE PRECINCT. 737 

of whom are now living — Thomas J., Mary J., Theodore and Lavina. Tin- names of 
those deceased were Francis M, ami Marion. 

MILEM ALKIRE, farmer and stock-raiser; I'. ( >. Sweetwater; was born in 
Madison Co., Ohio. Sept. 10, 1818; oldest son of Leonard and Catharine Allure, who 
came to Sugar Grove at a very early day ; our subject at this time was 6 years of age , 

be had always a great fondness for I ks, and spent all his leisure time in study; the 

schools of that day afforded hut poor advantages, but young Alkire persevered and 
ceeded in obtaining a good education ; at 21, he began life on hia own account ; ho has 
always been engaged in agriculture and stock-raising and has been very successful in 
all his undertakings. He was united in marriage with Eliza J. Barnes Dec. 21, 1843 
she was born in Hath Co., Ky., Aug. 29, 1823; her parents removed to Logan I 
111., at a very early day ; from this union there were nine children, six of whom are now 
living— Eliza C, born Dec. 7. L848; Franklin V., April 24, 185:5; John B., Oct. 30, 
is;,;,; Thomas II.. Aug. 11, 185!); Alvin P.. July 2, 1862, and Milem C Feb. 7, 
1865 ; the names of those deceased were Louisa A., horn Nov. 11, 1844, died Sept. 5, 
1845 ; Leonard M., born Aug. 28, 1846, died Jan. 21, 1859 ; Mary A., horn Jan. 22, 
1851, died March 24, 1855. Mr. Alkire has held the offices of Associate Judge of 
Menard County and County Commissioner; owns 750 acres of well-improved land ; he 
is a Democrat, although quite liberal in his views. 

T. H. BRASF1ELD, farmer and stock-raiser. See. 10; P.O.Sweetwater; was 
born in Madison Co., Ky., Dec. 4, 182'J ; son of James E. and Tabitba (Moberly) 
Brasfield ; the former was a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina ; they 
were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are now living; they removed to 
Menard Co. in 1834, and settled near Athens; the father departed this life in 1864, and 
the mother, in 1858. T. II. Brastield passed his youth and early manhood on his father's 
farm and received a good common-school education. He was united in marriage with 
Laura P. Camp Feb. 13, 1856 ; she died Aug. 22, 1865; he was married, Sept. 19, 
1876, to Miss Cynthia M. Camp; from this union there is one child — John P., born 
March 1(1, 187'J. Soon after bis first marriage, he came to Sugar Grove Precinct, where 
he has since resided ; he owns 320 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Brasfield is a 
stanch Republican and an earnest advocate of its principles; his sympathies were always 
warmly enlisted in the cause of Antislavery. 

ED. CULVER, fanner and stock-raiser; P. O. Athens; was born in St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1835; his parents came to Sangamon Co., 111., when he was 
less than 1 year of age: he passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm, 
receiving such an education as the schools of that early day afforded : he has been a 
resident of Sugar Grove Precinct since its organization ; he owns, in connection with the 
heirs of the late John S. Culver, 700 acres of well-improved land, of which he has the 
management . he is a self-made man, in the fullest sense of the word; a Republican in 
politics, hut quite liberal in his views of men and things. 

J. B. COPPER, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O.Sweetwater; was horn in Portage 

Ohio, Dec. 14. L809 ; third son and fifth child of Michael and Mary G 
Co]. per, who were the parents of nine children ; the father was a native of Kent Co , 
Md., and the mother of Westmoreland Co., Penn. ; they were married in 1797 ; in ! 
the parents came to Illinois and settled on Hock River in which is now known as Car- 
roll Co.; in the summer of 1851, the father died; this was the same year our Bubject 
came to Illinois ; he hid passed his youth and early manhood in Licking Co., Ohio, 
assisting his lather on the farm lie was married to Miss Eliza Pence, a native of Lick- 
ing Co., in 1 337 : from this union there were three children — William, David and 
George; Mrs. Copper died in the fill of 1853; Mr. Copper was married March 27, 
1854, t" Miss Emily Coif; the Goffs were early settlers of this county and date their 
history hack toits first settlement ; from this union there are twelve children — Harvey 

El., Charles P.. John E., Laura J.. Eliza B., Sarah M., Robert P., Thomas II . Louis 
C. [da P.. Lorena and Lydia N. Mr. Copper owns 316 aires of land, 286 of which 
are well improved and which be has made by bis own exertion-. He and his wit 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHES: 

members of Ihc Baptist Church ; they hare a nioe bom pl< asaat family and are am 
Men ird < lounty's most i itizens, 

GEORGE T. DEAL, dealer in live atook - in Menard 

III., Jan. 1 l 1849; is a son of -I II. an i J ine Eldridg 1 1 ■'. «rl - sketch apj 
in this work; ' ittended Bchool until ab al whioh time he 

re of his father, where he r sm lin ■ 1 li - . luring this tim •. he ~h id 

entin if the business; al the expiration of this time, the father Bold out, and 

subject th< i s in the mill, owned by his father and Jam a II ughes, in 9 h 

i ; in July, of l s 7". he went to Chicago, and was, I six months, in the 

employ of Wood Bros., live-stock commission merchants; since that, he has been 
.••(1 in buying and shipping hogs and cattle. He was united in marriage with 
Mary J. Pickrell, Dec. 2, 1873; Bhe was born in Fleming Co., K_. -I me 15, 1851 . 
they have one child L 9 1,1874 Mr. Deal is a stanch Republican in 

politics, and one of the prominent young men of Menard County. 

.JolIN II DEAL, miller, Sweetwater ; was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., 
: i 20, 1826; is a son of John and Sarah Wilheim Deal; the father n 
native of I and a butcher by trade; he departed tin- lite Deo. 6, 1826; the 

in ither remained in M d 1 until 1839, when Bhe and our subject came to Menard 
Co., where they ha\ sided; John II r •■ tim, as the schools 

of that early day afforded; in 1852, he and Hugh D. Hnghes buili the Sweetwater 
Mill; it cost, at the time of building, aboni $2,500; it has been constantly ran, with 
p, since its building; it is now the prop J II Deal and 

J L. Hughes— son of Hugh I) Hughes; it wai one of the first steam-mills in Menard 

I round more than one million bushels of grain Bince it was built Mi 
is the present miller, and to his exertions the mill owes its success and : 

ularit;.. II wa united in marriage with Jane ESldridge in 1848; Bhe was born in 
Mn-land Sept. 8, 1828; from this union there were six children, two ofwhom'are 
now living; Bhe died Sepl I. 1861. Mr. Deal was again married Aug. 23, 1866, to 
Mary E i. they hive four children by this union. Mr. Deal is a Republican 

in polil 

WILLIAM S, ENGLE, farmer and dealer in livestock; P. <>. Sweetwater; was 

horn in Menard Co., III.. Dec. II. 1832; is a son of the late William BSngle, one of the 

1 ir Bubject passed his youth and earlj manhood assisting his 

the farm and in the of 18, he commenced business for 

himself; I of his life, in dealing in live stock; there are 

men in the county who have done more business in this line than Mr. Engle. 

II I in marriage with Mary C. Heal April 11. 1867; she was horn in 
I., Jan. 16, 1851; from this union there are two children — Edward 

A., horn Jan. I_\ 1868, and Florence, Jan. -\. 1871. Mr. Engle has a well-impr 
farm, rat in politics. 

JOHN ENGLE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Sweetwater; is the eldest son of 
William and Elizabeth (Alkire) Engle, whose Bketch appears in this work; hi 
horn iii M Feb. 19, l^_'ti; he now owns and lives upon the place settled 

by his father in 1824; in 1850, John Engle went overland to California, where he 

liter his return united iii marriage with Sarah A 

••• 21, 1855; she was born in Ohio Aug. 7. 1834; from this onion there 
ii children, nine of whom are now livi. bine, .John. James II.. Will- 

iam. Char Deis M. and Minnie M Mr. BSng 

of well improved land; is D rat in politics. 

10 FF, farmer md stock-raiser, Sec 1; P. O. 8 >ra in 

i a family of five children of William 
and \ I of whom appears in the biography of William Goff; 

be pass d bis youth in Men ird Co., Iii . assisting his m ith >r t i oare for the family, hi> 
r having died when he a red but an indifferent educa 

tion is the major part of the hardships of caring for the family devolved on him alter 
In- father's death and he oould not be .-pared from h ime He remained al home until 



SUGAR GROVE PRECINCT. 739 

his marriage with Miss Clark, which occurred July 29, 1837 ; from this union there 
were twelve children, nine of whom are now living— Mary A Jennie P., Winfield II., 
William A.. Lee M.. Augustus 11., Eli E.. [da F. and David A.; deceased — Wesley, 
John C. and Dioa D. On the 4th of July, 1ST'.'. Mr. Goff sustained the deepest 
bereavement of his life in the death of his wife, who for forty-two years had endured 
with him the trials and hardships of life; Mr. Goff's success in life i> greatly owing to 
this good woman's help and advice; he commenced life as a poor boy and has made 
what he now possesses by hard work and close attention to business; he owns a oicely 
improved farm of 405 acres; he is a self-made man. In politics a Democrat. 

ANDREW &ADDIE, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 10; P. 0. Sweetwater ; was 
born on the Orkney Islands, May 31. 1837; when about 13 years of age, be went to 
sea; he followed the sea until 19 years of age, when became to the United States, 
He was in the late war. served a little over two years and was discharged on account 
of sickness; he was in Co. K, 106th I. V. I. In 1867. .Mr. Gaddie bought 200 
acres of land in Sugar Grove Precinct, upon which he has since resided. Be was 
united in marriage with Sarah Keen Nov. 20,1866; she was born in England Oct. 
8, 1848; Mrs. Gaddie's parents came to this country when she was about 2 years of 
age; from this union there are six children — John T., Cora N., Katie G., Charles II.. 
Mary E. and Jessie A. Mr. Gaddie came to Illinois a poor boy, and is emphatically 
a self-made man. He has held the responsible position of County Commissioner three 
years and well and faithfully has he served the county; he is a Democrat. 

WILLIAM GOFF, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9 ; P. O. Sweetwater ; was born 
in Green Co., Ky., Aug. 19, 1822; second son of William and Amy (Trent. Goff, 
natives of Kentucky, and the parents of seven children, three of whom are now living . 
the parents came to Menard Co. in 1825, and stopped for about a year in Clary's Grove; 
they then removed five miles southeast of where the city of Petersburg is now located ; 
soon after their removal, the father died; the mother, who was a noble specimen of the 
pioneer woman, not only cared for the fatherless children, but succeeded in retaining 
their " claim " and laid up some money. Our subject passed his youth and early man- 
hood amid the wild surroundings of the then new country, receiving little or no educa 
tion, and, when 12 years of age. earned his first money by riding horses while 
••tramping out wheat;" with this money he purchased a pig; this was his first business 
transaction ; in a short time, he had quite a herd of young cattle ; he continued trading 
until about 30 years of age ; about this time, he entered forty acres of land in Mason 
Co.; at the expiration id' two ye;irs. he sold his land in Mason Co. and purchased eight) 
acres in Sugar Grove Precinct, Menard Co., upon which he has since resided ami to 
which he has added until he now owns a nicely improved farm of 2So acres; he com- 
menced life as a poor boy, but, by hard work and economy, he has made what he DOW 
possesses; he is emphatically a self-made man. He was united in marriage with Mary 
D. Westfall Oct. 24, 1840; she was horn in Pennsylvania Oct. 24, 1 82 I ; her parents 
removed to Des Moines Co., Iowa, in 1834; from this union there were ten children. 
eight of whom are now living — Theodore L., Commodore P., Leonard iv. Louisa Iv. 
Frederick W., Murray M. and Emma and Ella, twin sisters. 

JAMES 1'. II ALL. fanner and stock-raiser; P.O. Sweetwater; was born in Law- 
rence Co., Ohio, duly 1. 1818; son of Elisha and Nam-v (Overstreet) Hall, both 
natives of Uedford Co., Va. ; they came to Illinois in the fall of 1826, and located in 
Menard Co.. where they died — the father in L838, and the mother in 1862. John 
Overstreet, lather of Namy and grandfather of Mr. Hall, was a Revolutionary soldier 
under Washington, and was at the battles of Bunker Hill, Cowpens, Brandywine, 
Monmouth and oilier.-; he died in 1848, at 90 years of age. Our subject passed his 
youth and early manhood on his father's farm, and received but a limited education. 
He was united in marriage with Mary J. Pierce Dee. 24, 1850; sin- was born in San- 
gamon Co., 111., Aug. 16, 1831 . from this union there were fourteen children, s '\en of 
whom are now living — Charles W., Emma, Caroline, Rosa, Laura J., Douglas I>. and 
Mollie. Mr. Hall owns 180 acres of well-improved land; is a Democrat in politics, and 

a self-made man in the fullest sense of the word. 

FF 



,1" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

JOHN H KINCAID, fanner and stock-raiser ; 1*. O. Sweetwater; is the son of 
John Ki nii.'lv Kim-aid, one of Menard Co. 'fl most prominent and influential men; 
he was ln.rii in Menard Co. July !•. L848, and assisted hii Father en the farm until his 
marriage with Mi.-.- Ella .1. Culver, which occurred Feb. 20, 1878; the was born in 
Menard Co. .Inly 31, 1849; ahe Lb tin- daughter of John 8. ami Elisabeth Branfield 
r both of whom are dow dead; the former died in 1 V T1. ami the latter in 1872 
they were among the early settlers of Menard <'". Our subject owns l'17 aires of 
nicety improved land ; i- a Btanch Republican in politics, and a consistent member <■( 
the Presbyterian Church, as is hi- wife. 

JOHN D. LEE, retired physician, Bee IS; P.O. Athens; was born in Jefferson 
Co., Va.. April 22, L812; hi> grandfather, John Lee, was a phyaioian ami surgeon, and 
ram.- from England previous t" the Revolutionary war; hi- Bon, Robert C. Lee, was th< 

father of John 1'.. ami W8S, for a number of years, clerk of the Superior Court oi 

-: Co., \'a ()nr subject passed hi- youth ami earl? manhood in the cities of 
Charlestown and Winchester, Va.; he received a good education, ami. when r_' ■ 
of age, he helil the position of Deputy Postmaster in the city of Winchester; in I 
he commenced tin- -t ply of medicine, ami. in 1834, graduated at the University of 
Maryland ; - i after this, he came t" Illinois, ami. for Borne year-, practiced in Spring- 
Geld , In- at last cam.- to Menard Co. and practiced a year in Petersburg, ami then went 

'.i Athens, where lie continued in the practu f medicine fir more than twenty year-. 

then, owing to ill health, he removed to Indian Point ami bought a small farm, upon 
which he has since resided. Dr. Lee was united in marriage with Miss Elisabeth 

I. mis, of Whately, Mass., in February, 1839; they hail one child — John D., who 
iliiil when 1 2 years of age. Among the physicians of M i m ir> 1 Co., none stand higher 
in reputation for professional .-kill ami as an honored, useful citizen, than I>r. .John 1> 
I., i 

DAVID PROP8T, fanner ami stock -raiser. Sec. 1 j P. 0. Greenview; was born 

> f i Greenbrier Co., yV. Va., -Ian. L't;. 1818. His father, Nicholas 1 'r.>j>st . was a 
native of Germany. Be came to the United State.- when he wasa boy ami locate.! in 
Virginia, where he married. Be was the father of eight children, three of whom are 
now living. In 1829, he removed to Illinois and settled in Sugar Grove, Menard Co. 
Mr. Propst in hi- lifetime was "a great help to the early Bettlers of Menard Co B< 

had is-iderable means and he furnished many a settler with money, at a low rate. 

to enter land with. Be was an " ( Md Line Whig," as wi re his sons, until the organisa- 
tion of the Republican party, when they became identified with it. Our subject | 
hi^ youth "ii his father's farm ; received a limited education, as there wen- but few 
Is in that early da] Be now owns and is living on the place settled by his father, 
in 1829. Winn he was yet a young man he purchased, with land warrants. 160 
of land on Salt Creek, fur which he paid 76c per acre; -ix years after, he sold the land 
re This and like transactions are characteristic of his success in life. 

II, n •• 100 acre- of well-improved land. II r is united in marriage with 
Sarah Wilcox April 1". l^.'ti she wa- born in Menard Co., III.. Aug. 11. 
1829; her parents came from Green County, Ky., in a very early day. Prom this 
union there are two children— Ephraim, bom Feb. 1, 1863, and Melinda, born March 
26, 1855. Mr Propst is a stanch Republican in politics and a firm believer and advo- 

LEV1 PROPST, carpenter and joiner, Sweetwat.r. wa.- born in Greenhriei 
Co., W. A \ ' B n dfathi r, x native of Ger 

many, and came in Sugar Grove in 1829. John, hie d and the father of Levi, 

came t" Menard Co. in l v i<i Bere our subject passed his youth assisting his lather 

On the farm. Hi> father taught him t" read and write, and thi- was all the education 

youi r in life, however, he applied himself to hi- books and be- 

came quite proficient. At 20 y< n to learn the carpenter's trade, a 

busim 58 be baa followed all his life except eight years, when he was engaged in the drug 
business in the villa 3 luring which time I 

Be was married to ! Swank April 10,1861. She waa born in Putnam 



SUGAR GROv'E PRECINCT. 741 

Co., Ind., July 1, 1829. From this union there were six children, three of whom 
are now living — Elzina, David E. and James A. The names of those deceased are 
Mary E., Annie E. and Clara E. Mr. Propst is a Democrat and a self-made man. 

E. L. SWINEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35; P. 0. Greenview ; was born in 
Bath Co., Ky., July 28, 1823. His father died when he was 2 years old. He 
lived in Kentucky until he was 11 years of age, when he came to Indian Point, 
Menard Co., with Mr. Kennedy Kincaid. They brought a flock of sheep with them, 
which young Swiney helped to drive. He continued to live with Mr. Kincaid until 
21 years of age. He received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. 
In 1845, he bought 285 acres of land in Sugar Grove Precinct, upon which he has since 
resided. He now owns 700 acres of land upon which are good buildings. He was 
united in marriage with Melinda Johnson Sept. 10, 1846. She was burn in Menard 
Co., 111., Aug. 25, 1824. Her parents came to the county in 1823, and her mother, 
who is now living, is one of the oldest living settlers. Mr. Swiney is the father of seven 
children, five of whom are now living — Emma, Elijah, Laura, Ned and Frank. Mrs. 
Swiney departed this life Feb. 9, 1877. Mr. Swiney is a stanch Republican in politics. 

ADAM SHARP, boot and shoe maker, Sweetwater ; was born in Baden, Germany, 
Sept. 18, 1850. His father was a shoemaker by trade, a business he taught his three 
sons. In 1853, John, the eldest son, came to the United States, and located in the 
village of Sweetwater, Menard Co., 111. ; he also lived in Missouri about five years. He 
died in 1878. Adam came to this country in 1872. and commenced working at his 
trade in the village of Sweetwater the same year. He was united in marriage with 
Bertha Kyle Dee" 11, 1877 ; she was born in Logan Co., 111., Feb. 16, 1857. They 
have had one child — Augustus, born Jan. 5, 1879, died April 12, 1879. Mr. Sharp 
came to this country as a poor German lad, but by close attention to his trade, com- 
bined with industry and economy, he has gained quite a competency. He owns a large 
shop, in which he always keeps a large and well-selected stock. He also owns one of 
the nicest residences in the village. 

JOSEPH SCHOFIELD, merchant. Sweetwater; was born in Orange Co., N. ST., 
March 22, 1845 ; son of David and Prudence (Sargent) Schofield. He passed his 
youth on his father's farm in New York, and received a good common-school education. 
At the age of 18, he started West, and upon his arrival in Springfield, 111., enlisted in 
Co. B, 58th I. V. I., and served three years as a private soldier in the war of the 
rebellion. He was in all the battles that his regiment was engaged in, and he escaped 
without a wound. After bis discharge, he returned to Illinois and attended school for 
a year, at Bloomington. He then went to Iowa, where he remained two years, when 
he come to Menard Co., where he has since resided, and where he has been engaged in 
farming and the mercantile business. He was united in marriage with Alice Meteer 
Oct. 14. 1873; she is a native of Menard Co.; from this union there are two sons — 
Thomas and John. Mr. Schofield is a stanch Republican in politics, an influential 
citizen and prominent man. 

JOHN W. SHAVER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Elkhart; was born in 
Sangamon Co., 111., .March IS, 1855; his father, William, was born in Virginia, 
March 13, 1818, where he remained until about '.)') years of age, when he removed to 
Ohio, and from there, in 1850, to California. Un his return, he stopped in Spring- 
field, III., and while there bought the Twelve-Mile House and farm of Sangamon Co., 
where lie resided about four years. He then Bold out, and removed to Menard I 
when' he resided until his death, which occurred Aug. 10, 1871. After he had resided 
in Menard Co., two years, he returned to his old home in Virginia, where he was united 
in marriage with Miss Jane Ross, of Augusta Co., of the "Old Dominion State;" this 
union resulted in three children — John \\\. Lizzie and Mary. John W '.. is the only 
surviving child ; he owns 862 acres of well-improved land in Menard Co.. and 160 
in Logan Co. He received a good education and is to-day one of Menard Co.'s most 
prosperous farmers. He is a Democrat in politics, but quite conservative. 

CHARLES C. SCOTT, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Athens; was born in 
Hardin Co., Ohio. Dee. 6, 1849. His father. Charles C. Scott, was a native of 



7 }_' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES i 

the mother, whose maiden came was Jane Patterson. They irerethe 
parents of nine children, four of whom are now living. The father departed this life Jan. 

-."it Our subject was brought ap to farm labor ; he received ;i goo 1 o immon-school 

ition ; at 18 j je, he embarked in the mercantile business; in 1869, he 

eame on :i visit to Menard Co., Dl., where he became acquainted with Miss Hulda 
Kincaid, to whom he was married, March 24, 1875; she is a daughter of John Ken- 
n ->\\ Kincaid, one of th Menard Co.; Bhe was born Aug. 1"». \^.>\ 

Prom this union there have 1 a two children — Warren C, born Oct. 11. 1876, and 

Kennedy I'. Dec 27, l~7~ Mr. Scotl owns eighty acres of nicely improved land. 
I a Republican in politics and a member of the Christian Church. 

STEPHEN STONE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. S r; was born in 

A'l.iir Co., Ky., Oct 16, l--': 1 is a son of John and Lucj Preston Stone; both 
Datives of Kentucky; in 1830, they came to Illinois and settled in Erish Grove; they 

the parents of twelve children; the mother died in 1872. Stephen passed his 
early life with hi- father on the farm; be began business for himself when quite 
young . I i but an indifferent education, and what he now pi has 

made by hard work and economy, His marriage with Mary C. SToung was celebrated 
was born in Menard Co., 111.. Sept. 25, 1839 ; Bhe is s daughter 
of John and Ra Purk pil Stone, both of whom were among the early pioi 

of Menard Co. From this anion there are three children^Carrie \ .. Morris 
and I EL Mr Stone owns 188 acres of nicelj improved land, and is emphat- 

ically a self-made man. 



INDIAN CREEK PRECINCT. 

THOMAS BENNETT, farmer, Sec 7. P. Petersburg. Prominent among the 

--I'ul and enterprising business men in this county, is the party whose name heads 

this Bketch. He was born in Mecklenburg Co., Va., Maj 11. 1833; he i- the son of 

John Bennett his mother's maiden name was Mary Boyd Th as was but 2 

old when he came to thu thej first Btopped Dear Rochet 

ining but ashorl time, and then came to Menard Co., where his father located, 
and a - a prominent business man in that place, and v. d in 

merchandising several years; he built what is now known as the Menard House, which 
!;.■ ran f'"i" a f' ind, after the sale of the Bame, he returned rmet love, 

that of selling lt< »« «il> ; this he continued until the year 1857, since which time he has 
retired from business. Th >mas remained with his lather until he attained his 
majority, during which time, from the age of 1 + » years, he was 

clerk for his father; after reaching manhood, h< I in business with his father, 

which he continued foT three years; be then began on his own account in the dry -g 
line and being an active business man. an excellent salesman, and enjoying the confi- 
dence of the people, bis efforts as a merchant were crowned with success ; he continued 
in the' business until 1873, when : : confinement and the nature of the bus 

had bo impaired his health that he was compelled to abandon the business ; be then 
moved to Town 19 where he now resides, where he had purchased a 

..I' land on the rich alluvial soil in the Salt Creek bottom, and ha- si I 

; icultural | i with the 

ring results that m i merchant, his land- being ■ the 

i.hiniiits of high water from the overflow of Salt Creek ; been t'er 

- llmost, and. in .-.-\ • ral LI disoOWT 

aging, and, added t<» the insinuations of many who pronounced the whole thing ■ 
failure, was u"t at all calculated to afford much consolation • ' Mr. Bennett, notwith- 
standing all this, never and with a determination and firm resolution, 
characteristic of the man, set to work to counteract these damaging overflows by the 
erection of suitable levee.-, and after much labor and expense, has now 1 3 - cor- 
raled by s substantial earthwt rk, and I he land that was by the masses consider! d wort I 



INDIAN CREEK PRECINCT. 743 

is to-day the most valuable land in the county, and he has a bonanza in Ids bottom 
farm of 1,800 acres; this land will produce, with good cultivation, from seventy-five to 
eighty bushels of corn to the acre, and for farming purposes is much more valuable than 
the upland. In November, 1855, was united in matrimony to ■ Lucy Wright, born 
March 29, 1838, who is the daughter of A. D. Wright, an old and well-known citizen of 
Petersburg. They have eight children — Thomas W., Lucy A.. John A., Sandy B., 
.Man C, Elbert Lee, Ellen B. and Johnnie; all the family are at home. Mr. Bennett 
is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 19, A., F. & A. M., of which his father was the 
founder, and has been W. M. of same for many years, and is now ar.d has been for 
several years Deputy Grand Master of the State. 

JOSEPH W. ESTELL. farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Petersburg ; was born in this 
county and on the same plat of ground he is to-day farming, Aug. 1, 1833; son 
of William Estell, one of the old pioneers of this country, who was born in Fleming Co., 
Ky., Aug. 30, 1794, and came to this State in 1824, and first stopped near Cantrall, 
remaining there two years; then located permanently on the land now owned by 
Joseph ;.he is now past 85, and is well preserved for one of his years. Joseph lived the 
life of a bachelor until he was ?>3 years old, at which time he united in matrimony with 
Mary Knowles, who was born in Gibson Co., Ind., daughter of Burton Knowles; 
their marriage was celebrated Jan. 2, I860. They have four children — Martha E., 
James, Cora E., Effie M. Mr. Estell has a snug farm of 130 acres, well improved. 

RUSSELL GODBEY. farmer; P. O. Greenview; was born in Montgomery 
Va., Nov. 2, 1800 ; is a son of William Godbey, who participated in the war of 1812, 
whose father was a participant in the war of the Revolution. In the fall of 1829, he 
moved to Indiana, stayed one winter, and in July of the following year, came to this 
county and entered 160 acres of land on Sees. 20 and 30 ; Abraham Lincoln was the 
surveyor, and stayed with him over night, and Mr. Godbey sold him, for 81, a 
quantity of buckskin, with which he faced his pants to enable him the better to travel 
through the brush and rough grass ; the sale of this skin paid the bill of surveying. 
Mr. Godbey soon erected a rude cabin out of rough logs, the raising of which required 
the united services of all the men that could be gathered in the entire country. Dec. 
10, 1822, he married Elizabeth Brown, who was born Feb. 25, 1799. They had eight 
children, five of whom are now living — Nancy, Russell B., Margaret, Eliza and Mary J., 
three boys, Overton B.. William R. and Moses, died after arriving at manhood. Mrs. 
Godbey died Feb. 19, 1854. He was married, Jan. 24, 1850. to Eleanor Carpenter, who 
was born in Sangamon Co.. Nov. 15, 1822. Had two children, Virginia and John 
D. In the early time, he was captain of the militia, and at the outbreak of the Black 
Hawk war. was deterred from going on account of sickness in his family. Has been a 
member of the Baptist Church since Feb.13, 1841, and is a member of the I. O. O.F.; 
has been a life-long Democrat ; has served several terms as Justice of the Peace, and 
has been a resident of this count} almost half a century, watching its growth and 
progress with earnest solicitude. 

R. B. GODBEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16; P. O. Greenview ; among the 
young settlers in this county whose interests have been for his life-time identified with 
that of the county is Russell B. Godbey ; he is a son of Russell Godbey, well known in 
this county as an old-time friend and associate of the lamented Liucoln ; was born in 
Rush Co., Ind.. Jan. 14, 1830, and was but 3 months old when he came to this 
county ; remained with his parent.- until he attained his 23d year, at which time hi 
married. March 28, L854, to Susan Montgomery, daughter of Charles L. Montgomery; 
nine children have been burn, but five of whom are DOW living— Eliza E. now the wife 
0. Crawford), Edward E.. Hairy 11 md Eva S. ; since his marriage, he has 

been located on the land be now owns; he has 525 acres of land, 440 acres of which are 
under cultivation, and which ranks among the best land in the county. Mr. Godbey 
has always been engaged in farming pursuits, and has been successful in this direction ; 
he takes considerable interest in political matters, yet never has desired office ; h< 
always been identified with the interests of the Democratic party, and is a member of 
Greenview Lodge. No. boii. A.. F. & A. M. 



7 1 \ BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHE8 

MRS. SARAB E BULLION, farming; P 0. Petersburg; was born in Bath 

kpril :_'_'. L822; Bhe is the daughter of John end Abigail Bracken) Sornback, 

I »• < r 1 1 of whom are natives of Kentucky, and came to this county in the fall of 1825 

locating on the land now owned by Andrew Boroback ; Bhe was bnl '■'> years of age when 

Bhe came to this county, and, having 1 n in the county over fifty-four year-, i- on 

it- pioneers, and bas grown np with it; their interests have been identical; she well 
remembers the time when Bhe went to mill with her father and bolted the fl"ur by band , 
she has seen deer in droves ; tndians encamped on Salt Creek bottom. Aug. 18,1840, 
she married James E. rlillion, who was born in Kentucky !>■'• 13, 1820; had ten chil- 
dren, but six <'t whom are now living — Catharine ').. Robert II.. Maria I,.. Thomas W., 
John A. ami Emery K. after their marriage, they bad nothing but willing hearts ami 
industrious hands; their first house was a rude cabin, with one room, oat andclaj chim- 
in \ puncheon floor, hoard Bhutter t". >r window, home-made table, and bed made out .>;' 
walnut logs; corn bread was their chief staph'. Notwithstanding all these ii 
veniences, these were their happiest days; the first barn her husband built Bhe spun and 
wove cloth to pay for the covering of the root', in 1846, thej moved to tin- place where 

Mr-. Kiilioi w lives, having accumulated money enough to buy them a home. July 

5, 1^7."). Mr rlillion died of consumption; lie and hi- wife were both members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church: be was an active worker in the Church, officiatii - 

Elder. 

WILLIAM KNOWLES, firmer. See L6; I' Greenview; - f Elijah 

Snowies, a native of Georgia, and Margaret W la Knowles, who «;i- born in Ten- 

■ and came to (id, -on Co., Ind.. where the Bubjecl of this Bketeh was bom. which 
occurred in the year 1821 ; during his L6th year the family moved to what iskn iwn as 
1 mained there until the winter of 1841 12. Oot. 5, 1843, he was mar- 

ried to Harriet Chapman; had two children — lame- 11. and Ma irel M. ; his wit'.' 

.lied March 13, 1849; Jan. 11. 1850, he married Mary Taylor, die died Sept. 12, 
1859; had two children, Inn one living— Sarah (wifeof helix Robinson . Married the 
third time to Elisabeth Shepherd, ami had one child Alice; wife died Deo. 18, \-~i 
in 1875, was married to his present wife, Mrs Sarah J. Reynolds. Mr. Knowles has 
been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for thirty Bii years; ha- I 

acres of land, and a g 1 deal of property in the town ,,f Greenview, ami has always 

been t'm_ r aL r e.l in farming, and ha- Keen successful. 

WOODSON !'-. POWER, farmer and stock-rail I Petersburg ; is a son of 

E 1' Power, >i f the ..1<1 settlers in this county; was born on the same seetion he 

now live- on Sept. :;. 1839; remained with his parents and assisted his father in the 

duties of ih" farm, and also worked in the saw-mill whi.h his father ran for several 

W Ison officiating as Bawyer. Peb. 7. 1861, he married Hannah McDougall, a 

native of this township ; -i\ children were born, but live of whom are living — Georg 

Anna ML. N( I i E M I' . William l>. and Siinvm-y. nOH deceased; Feb. 10. I ! 

his wife die.l with consumption; the fall of 1861, he located on the farm which he now 
own.-, where he ha- since built the handsome brick residence he no* occupies, and made 
all the substantial improvements that adorn bhe premises. Be was married to Mrs 
Elisabeth Ludum, who wa- horn in Kentucky, but raised in thisoounty; had four chil- 
dren, three living —Emma V.. Edgar D., Martha I... I!. .ma now d< Since his 
first m .in ige he bas ' n ■ i<- iged in farming and Btock rai-inj: and feeding, and is a 

. fanner, industrious and prudent, and the general appearance of the ] rem 
evidence of the enterprie ment of tin- proprietor. 

E 1' POWER, farmer and Btook-raisei . P. Peti rsburfi . was horn in Payette 
i of William and 1 . 3 P irer, nativi 

land, who came ii: • i h Carolina, then i uoky, wher E I' was 

horn. Peb. 7, 1828, he married Martha S. Thompson, who was born in Bath Co., Ky., 

in 1808; in 1829, be c iluded to cast hi- lot on the fertile prairies of Illinois, ami 

shipped tnm Marysville bj 1" at to St. Louis, and tl . ht an old horse for his 

wife to rid.-, hired an 01 team to haul hi.- I. w household goods, aid took up his line of 

march lot this country, arriving here with 7."' cents in money, an old horse ami a few 



INDIAN CREEK PRECINCT. 745 

household effects; he made him a table out of boards, sawed by hand, and a bedstead 
of walnut rails, borrowed a horse, and with his own horse, made his first crop ; soon 
alter he bought eighty acres, paid what little he had down, and borrowed money to pay 
the balance, at 111 percent; raised one crop, and sulci his team, which liquidated the 
debt; in the Bpring of 1834, he sold his place, and came to this township, where he 
bought 2(iii acres of Bchool land; in is:;."), sold eighty aire- for $500, and entered 2I<» 
acres, where he now resides. Mr. Power spent the early portion of life in the log cabin 
of that day, built in the rude style of the times. He was more fortunate than many 
of his time, as he succeeded in obtaining education sufficient to enable him to teach 
school, which he did in the year 1835, in a log cabin, with puncheon floor, gr< 
paper for window panes, and split logs for seats. With the exception of four y 
which he spent in Petersburg, he has been a constant resident of the county. He 
made the first assessment that was made in the county, on the east side of the county ; 
names of his children are Nancy J., Elizabeth S., George S., John D. and Wo idson 

B. lie has been successful in his business career; he cast his first vote for Andrew 
Jackson. 

S. T. ROGERS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Petersburg; is a worthy and reli- 
able .citizen, who has spent his entire life in this county, and, like Pat, "would have 
been here longer, had he been sooner born." He was born April 23, 1832, on the same 
section of land he now owns ; his father was born in Bath Co., Ky.; his mother's 
name, prior to her marriage, was Rebecca Lancaster, also a native of Kentucky ; his 
father, on his first arrival, bought out a place and its improvements, and then entered the 
land about him, including that owned by S. T. He died in June, 1843, his wife dying 
several years previous. Feb. 7, 1858, Mr. Rogers was married to Nancy Ann Trumbo, 
who was born in this county Feb. 10, 1835 ; they had five children, four living — 
John, born in 1858, and died Aug. 11, 1867 ; Flora Bell, born Jan. 3, 1861 ; Charles 
T.,Jan. 16, 1867; Nora A., Sept. 26, 1868; Elizabeth C, Aug. 13, 1874. Mrs. 
Rogers' father's name was Andrew Trumbo, and her mother was a sister of Henry Sears, of 
Mason County. Mr. Rogers has 300 acres of choice land, and is an excellent farmer 
and one of Menard Co.'s best men. 

W. W. M. REED, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Green view ; was born in Dubois Co., 
Ind., Dec. 20, 1823 ; is the second child of a family of twelve children, born of Isaac 
aud Winnie Morgan Spears, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Indiana at an 
early day ; at the age of 23, the subject of this sketch came to this county empty- 
handed, but with ready hands and a willing heart, and resolved to make something of 
himself, if economy and industry would accomplish it; he began work by the month, 
for E. D. Powers ; subsequently, went to Indiana, where he was engaged as Super- 
intendent of a gang of men on the Evansville & Ciawfordsville Railroad, and continued 
here three years, and discharged his duties with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction 
of his employers; having accumulated means enough to purchase forty acres of land, 
he returne 1 to this county, and made the purchase,. Jan. 2 I. 1856, he was married to 
Charlotte Lanternman, who was born May 17, 1836; they have had four children — 
Winnie, born Dec. 18,1850; Charles II.. June :;. 1858; A. J. .March 30, i860; 
Charlotte T., Aug. 25. 1862. Bis wife died Aug. 25, 1862, at the birth of last child. 
Sept. 10. 1863, married .Mrs. Elizabeth Wilcox, born Aug. 15, 1835; daughter of 
George and .Mary Curry; have three children — Clara P., born July 18, l^ot ; G 

C, April !», 1866; Wallace M.. Aug. 25, L875. Since his first marriage, b as been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has a snug farm, and H a well-to-do firmer, all the 
result of his own labor. Is a member of Greenview Lodge, A., V. & A M. No. 653 

A. RIGGIN, farmer and Btock -raiser, Sec. '•'. Prominent among the stanch and 
reliable men in this county, who have grown up with it, and been identified with its 
interests, before and since its organization, i- A. K. Biggin, who was born one and one- 
qaarter miles northeast of Athens, April 2:'.. ls_'-_\ n,. i> the second child of a family 
of five born to Harry and Merriam Lee (Rogers) Riggin. The Lees are supposed to 
eb relatives of the Lees in Virginia, and the Etogersee related to th se of martyrdom fame. 
Mr. Riggin was horn iu Sevi-r Co., lv Teiin . in 17'.':; His wifj, Merriam, was horn 



746 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8 

hi I »- ' \ V Harry Riggin came to this country before it waa a State, io 1-17 

ami was married in March, 1818, ami located at Troy, Madison Co., ami eame to what 

is now known as Athens, in the Bpring of L820, where he settled. Be obtained a <j. 1 

education for those early times. Hi- father being greatly interested in education, 
his son every advantage, ami boarded many a Bchool teacher free of i-Iitit •_:•■ to encon 
them to give his son some BpeciaJ aid, w 1 1 i I . • at home, which he imj well, that, 

before he attained bis majority, he had taught four quarters at Bchool. Then attended 
at McKendree College one year, also one year at the Illinois College, at Jackson 
vill . Subsequent to tin-, be taught Bchool at different places, ami. in the fall of 1848, 
became a candidate for the office of Circuit Clerk, but was defeated by t'<-ur votes. This 
was the first election held for that purpose in the county. He then made a trip t • • Mis 
sissippi, where Ik- tanght about one year. In 1852, he wss again a candidate for the 
office of < 'ircuit Clerk, ami was elected, ami. at the expiration of thai term, was re-«l( 
by a handsome majority. After the Lincoln election, he retired from the political arena, 
ami has since been actively engaged in tannin-. He lived the life of a bachelor until 
hi- .")•_'« 1 year. Nov. 26, 1874, he married Mary C. Deal, who was born in McLean Co 
April 12, 1850, and i- a daughter of Samuel C. Deal, of Augusta Co., Va, Sad two 
children— Harry, born Oct 9, 1875; Augustus, born Oct 5, 1-77. Has always been 
a temperate man, and owes the practice of this virtue to the teachings of his mother. 
He deals in fine Btock, and remembers when there was do Petersburg or Lincoln. 

GEORGE G SPEAR, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20; P. 0. Greenview ; was 
born in Vermont. Oct. 16, 1836; was the third of a family of seven children, 
I. ..in to Kli.-ha Spear. His mother's name print- to her marriage was Lnoretia Walker. 
Tluy came to this State in the fall of 1838, and were among the pioneer -.-tilers of this 
in this county Q was but - year- of age when his parent- came, which makes 

him a resident of the county forty-one years, and, while tie re are manj older nun in the 
county, yet not man] of them have been here ;- long as he. He, we might Bay, never 
l.-ft the parental roof, from the fact that he has always remained en the homestead, 
though leading the life of a bachelor for several years. Oct <<. 1870, he changed hia 
mode of living by uniting bis fortunes with Sarah A. Dawson, who was born in Indiana 
in October, l«41. They have three children- Flora, born (let. l'. 1-71; Kl.-a. born 
Jan. 26, 1873; Elisha G., bom dan. 28, l-7'i. He has, since his marriage, been 
ii farming pursuits, and has .".in acres of land. Has been successful, and ranks 
among the stanch farmers of this township. 

\\ . S. SMOOT, farmer and Btock-raia ." . P. < > Greenview; was born in 

Fleming Co., K\.. Feb. 13, 1830, and i.- the youngest -.fa family of three children, born 
to Colman Smoot and Rebecca Wright Smoot The former was born Feb. 13, 1791, 
and th,- latter Aug. ;. 1795. The;, were married March 17. 1817, and. in 1 -:;_'. came 
to this county, and Bettled on the land now owned by William. Colman Smoot died 
March 21, l-7»; Hi- wit; died March 27, 1864, July 17. 1851, William was united 
in wedlock i.- Catharine A Bngle, who waa born in Sugar Grov< Nov. 5, 1830. She 
daughter of William Bngle, a prominent citizen in ins time. Her moth* r was an 
Alkire, sister of Milem A After their marriage, they lived with hi- parents until he came 
to the pla.e on which he now lives - a children have crowned the marriage of Mr. 
and .Mi- Smoot — Colman ; Mary B., born Dec. 2, 1854; Chad - E July 30, 1 
•>"l"' M., May M. I860; Anna M., Ang. 13, 1865, and Edward B., June 23, 1870. 
Their second child . \ i:>, [860. Mary is now the wile of John 

W Terhune, married March 26, 1-7'.'. Charles married Tempa Clark the .lay previous. 

Mi .-moot has been unusually suc cessfu l in bis business, and is > of the best financiers 

in the county, is shrewd, long-headed, and a man of untiring industry, religionary hi i 

• large and commodious a farmhouse as any in the 
eountj He is Democratic in sentiment, and i- now serving a- County Commissioner 
tor the .-. oond I' i in 

HARMON u \i;.V-l\i;. farmer; 1'. < >. Greenview Prominent among the 

stanch men ..f the comity, who i. i i| lr ocean from tl Fatherland ami 

ha\e grown up and thoroughly identified tl. with the intereste of this county, 



SANDRIDGE PRECINCT. 747 

is Harmon Warnsing, who was born in Badbergen, Kreisamt, Bersenbeiick, Kingdom 
of Hanover, in Germany, Jan. 14, 1839; he is a son of George Frederick Warnsing 
and Margaretti Ottmann ; at the age of 14 years, Harmon took leave of his home and 
friends to seek his fortune in the land across the sea, and, arriving at New Orleans. 1 1 < - 
came to this county, where his uncle, John Marbold, lived, and for whom he worked by 
the month; he also worked for Charles Montgomery; in the winter of 1855, lie 
attended the Lutheran College at Springfield, and, upon his return, began improving 
some land he had purchased near Salt Creek; in 1859, returned to Germany, where he 
remained fifteen months, and, while there, was united in marriage to Maria Liideliog, 
who was born Dec 29, 18156 ; Aug. 21, 1860, is the date of their marriage. Return- 
ing the same year with his bride, he located on the land he had purchased, upon which 
he remained until the spring of 1872, when he moved to the place he now occupies 
he has been successful in his business and now is owner of 1,920 acres of land, 1,650 
acres of which are improved. He has not taken much interest in political matters, but 
was elected County Commissioner one term on the Democratic ticket ; he has two 
children — George, born Oct. 5, 1863; Emilie, Jan. 27, 1862. 



SANDRIDGE PRECINCT. 

JAMES ALTIG, farmer ; P. O. Petersburg ; was born in Mason Co., Ky., in 1821 I 
his father died soon after this date, and his mother, with her family, removed to this 
township in lSoti ; since that date, he has lived within two miles of his present resi- 
dence. He was first married, in 1844, to Sarah W. Berry, who lived but a short time ; 
a second matrimonial alliance occurred in 1847, when he was joined in wedlock 
with Sarah Ann Potter ; they have ten children living ; one of the sons is a Deputy 
Assessor in this county. Mr. A. has never been active in politics, but has held several 
offices in the gift of the people; has been School Director fifteen years, School Trustee 
two terms and is at present one of the County Commissioners. He owns 468 acres of 
land, well improved and valued at $15,000. 

WILLIAM ENSLEY, farmer; P. O. Atterberry ; was born in Pickaway Co.. 
Ohio, June 12, 1829; son of Christopher and Elizabeth Eusley ; in 1842. they emi- 
grated to Fulton Co., 111., where Christopher Ensley died April 8, 1846; after which, 
Mr. Ensley.. with his mother, moved to Menard Co. in 1853; Mr. Ensley began life for 
himself at the age of 13, with good health and plenty of ambition, which has enabled 
him to provide for his mother and family and also to accumulate a fine farm of .'!7<> 
acres, well stocked ; he makes stock raising and shipping a specialty. He was married, 
Jan. 25, 1855, to Chloe H. Aylesworth, second daughter of Philip and Chloe Ayles- 
worth, of New York. Mr. Aylesworth was the first settler in Beardstown, surveying 
the country around, and established the first ferry at Meredosia and is one of the oldest 
and most prominent residents of Fulton Co., where he still lives. Mr. Ensley has two 
children living — Henry E. and Harvey L., and has lost five. Mr. Ensley has filled the 
office of Road Supervisor and School Director for many years and is at present < )ver- 
seer of the Poor. 

S. D. MASTERS, fanner and stock-raiser; P. O. Petersburg. Prominent, amoni; 
the stanch men of Menard Co., we find the name of S. D. Masters, who was born in 
Overton Co., Tenn., Nov. 12. 1812; he is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Matlock) 
Masters, who were natives of the Old Dominion; Thomas Masters emigrated to the 
State of Tennessee, where S I>. Masters was born ; but, slavery prevailing, and he hav- 
ing seen enough of its workings, he resolved to go North, and. in the year 1830, went 
to Morgan Co., not far from what is now Jacksonville. March 6, 1833, was married 
to Lucy Young, who was born in Davidson Co., Tenn.. Nov. 11, 1814; nine children ; 
six lived to maturity, of whom but four are now living — Minerva now the wife of 
Rev. B. F. Vincent, now of Philadelphia I, Hardin W. (attorney at law. at Petersburg , 
Anna M., (now the wife of N. K. Rankin); Anna and Minerva were both graduates of 



• 1" BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

the Pemale College at Jacksonville ; Wilber u qow al borne. Harry waa drowned in 

the river Platte while crossing the plain* io 1862; Mary died during her 28 

in April, 1*17, Mr. Mac untyand located in Town 19, Kin.- 7. :in-J 

ace been closely identified with the interests of the county . be is one of the self-made 
men of our county, baying, by industry and economy, acquired s borne and ;i compefa 

. tliniog years ; be has been s man of progress and enterprise. Be baa b 
Justice of the I reral years, and, in 1861 nted the county in the 8 

ilature; he and bis wife for many yean have been members of the M K. Church. 
Be haa a iged in tannin.' pursuita and identified with the principli 

I democracy. 

Mi;.-. EMMA MANN, farmer; P. 0. Oakford; waa born in Marshall 
1 ml. . Jan 1". 1833; daughter of Allen Burns, who* name prior t" mar 

Marj Ann Kelly. Mrs. Mann, during her 9th year, moved to Benton I 
Texas, remaining eleven years. She waa married to John II. Brown, and one child 
bora to them, Franklin, bora Nov. 3, l s 7i'. Shortly after their marriage, they m 

leeburg, where a he practiced medicine until hia death, which occurred July :.'»',. 
April 26, 1875, she waa married to William Mann, a native of Pennsylvania. After 
their marriage, they moved to the place Bhe cow occupies. Mr. Mann died Apr! 
Ib79. They had one child, Benry, born Deo. 20, 1876. She ia a member of the 
i Church. 

■ I C M I" >EL, farmer, P. O. Atterbeiiy; was born in New York, April 10, 1829; 
son of Varaum and Elisabeth McDoel, of Scotch descent ; waa educated in New York 
and moved to Missouri in 1867. In 1859 he settled in Menard Co., on his present home- 
stead, Be married Caroline Robinson, daughter of Ebeneser P. and LuoyC. Robinson, 
1,1 Menard Co. Mrs. MoDoel waa an intimate acquaintance of President Line,, in, be 
having boarded with her father while surveying in the vicinity. Mr. J. C. McDoel al.su 

ed him in making the Burveys. Mrs. McDoel waa educated at Princeton and 
Jacksonville. Shewasfirsl married to Mr. S. Buokleyand I . ■ 1 1 a widow with two children, 
Newton and J. C. Buckley. Mr. .). <\ MoDoel haa accumulated a nan of 500 ■ 
and has filled the offi< f Treasurer i'nr thirteen years. 

l: C PANTIER, farmer; P. O Petersburg; Mr. R. C. Pantier was born in Me- 
nard Co., HI., March 7, 1841, son of D M. and Bliss Pantier. He received hia edu- 
cation at borne Bohools. Be began for himself at the age of 21, and was enooui 
from boyhood to rely upon his own tact in the way of a trade Al the age of 26, he 
was married to Miss Elisabeth Truth, daughter of Henry and Elisabeth Truth. Mrs 
Pantier waa born in Menard Co. Deo. 20, 1846. Their children are Daniel II. 
William, M. E., and Ollie. Mr 1'antier ha- acquired a fine farm of 142 acres and 
make- Btock-raising a specialty. 

DAVID M PANTIER, farmer: P. < >. Petersburg; born in Butler Co., Ohio, 

Oct l<>. L808; .-. f James and Susannah Pantier, and hi- father waa the second 

male white child bora in Kentucky, and hia grandfather, Philip Pantier, was one ■!' 
ine'a Bturdj companions. I» M Pantier came t" Qlin .i- and .-.'tiled in Shaw 
neetown in 1815 and to Menard Co., in 1826, on present homestead II.' waa ma 

' to Lissie Am laughter ol ird Nancy Armstrong. M 

Ltz/.ie Pantier died Aug. 7, L848, leaving the following children vis., Nanoy, Hannah. 
John B., James T. Pollj and Robert C. Mr. Pantier waa married, Maj 19, 1849 
Maria Baram, daughtt i I Morris and Elisabeth Butchins,o i and by tl 

alliance, Mr. Pantier In- two ohildren — Francis M. and Minerva K. Mr. Panders 
'" the Black Bawk war. under Capt. Abraham Lincoln, and tells many interesting 
anecdotes ofth In 1828, he went 120 miles to mill and oft< i week for 

hia turn. The lit.-- ihoes ever w<.rn bj Mr. Panti r. he earned trapping in the 

winter barefooted, carrying a board to Btand on while Betting hi- tr.i|i-. 

J. I. -ll( >i; f. farmer; I' I' ;■ reburg . waa born in I ... Ill . < I 

■ and Sarah Short, ol English and German origin. Be obtained what 

''""' he could, at h ils, and began life for himself at the age of 18. Mi 

Bhort was married, April 8, 1 daughter of John andLuoy C P 



ROCK CREEK PRECINCT. 749 

of Menard Co., 111., their children are — John R., Leslie M., Ada 0., Meloirjt, Ollie, 
Mollie May. Mr. Short lias a fine farm of 300 acres, and raises Bome stuck, hut is not 
termed a shipper. 

R. C TRKNAUY, farmer; P. 0. Petersburg; was horn i.. Perry Co., Ind., 
Dec. 1G, 1S29; son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Trenary. lie came to Menard Co., in 
1846, and began for himself at the age of 18. Married, Nov. 27, L851, Elizabeth 
Altag, daughter of M. Altag. Mr. Trenary and wile both received a liberal education. 
They have four children living — Mary C, Fannie A., Pina M. and Lizzie D. Mr. 
Trenary makes stock-raising a specialty, and has a fine farm of 250 acres, worth 812,000. 

GEO. K. W ATKINS, stock-shipper; P. O. Oakford; was bora in Menard Co., 
111., Feb. 11, 1837 ; son of Samuel and Sophia Watkins, who settled in Illinois at an 
early day. Mr. Watkins was educated at the home schools, and, at the age of 20, mar- 
ried Mary A. Thomas, in December, 1803, daughter of Joshua Thomas, of Menard 
Co. They have one child living — Miss Alice Watkins, born July 7, 1807, and now 
being educated in Mason Co. Mr. Watkins began life at the age of 17, with 40 acres 
of land, and he has now over 2,000. He is one of the largest stock-dealers in this county, 
shipping annually 110 car loads of hogs and from 40 to 50, of cattle. He also devotes 
much care to farming; he has now over 1,000 acres of corn, 120 of wheat and oats, 
the rest of farm is pasture. 



ROCK CREEK PRECINCT. 

JOHN J. CLARKE, farmer; P. O. Petersburg; son of Charles J. F. and Rachel 
(Smith) Clark ; was born upon the old homestead, where he now resides, Sept. 7, 1843. 
His parents were among the first settlers of Menard Co. He has lived upon the old 
farm, following agricultural pursuits, thus far, and has, by observation and experience, 
obtained a good busiuess education. He served as Deputy County Assessor for two 
years. His wife is the daughter of James H. and Sarah (Brown) Thompson. They 
were married Oct. 19, 1870, and have two children — Albert B. and Francis H. Mr. 
Clark is a young man of good bnsiness ability, and a respected citizen. 

MRS. RACHEL CLARKE, farmer; P. O. Tallula ; widow of C. J. H. Clark, 
and daughter of Samuel and Anna (Rhodes) Smith ; was brought to this county by 
her parents, in 1836. After a time they removed to Cass Co., where her parents died. 
She was married to Mr. Clark Nov. 25, 1841. He was one of the prominent pioneers 
of the county. He served as County Commissioner four years, and eight years as 
County dudge. 4Ie lived an industrious, enterprising and useful life. He died. April 
!», L 870, leaving a family of four children — John J., Mary A. (now Mrs. John H. 
Burkholder, of this county i. Charles R. and Luella F. Mrs. Clark remembers when 
this was a wild country. When her parents came to this county, they spent their first 
winter with another family, in a cabin 12x10, and there were sixteen persons in the 
two families. She occupies a beautiful residence, surrounded by all the comforts of life. 

ISAAC COGDAL, farmer ; P.O. Lloyd; son of Joseph and Lucj Sothern) 
Cogdal, who were anion- the first settlers of this county. Their advent to this county 
dates back to 1 S2:i. They settled near where Isaac now resides, and there passed the 
remainder of their lives. His father died in 1828, and his mother survived until 1846 
'fhe subject of this sketch was horn in Kentucky, Sept. lli, 1812. During early 
life, he learned the trade of stone and brick mason, which he followed for many ye;ir> 
When a young man, Abraham Lincoln became his warm friend, and they frequently 
advised each other. After Mr. Lincoln became a prominent lawyer, he advised Mr. 

lal to study law under his instruction, which he did, and was admitted to the bar 
in 1 Still, since which time he has practiced law and superintended his farm. Mr. Cog- 
dal is a man of ability and of high Standing. He has a fine farm of 125 acres. lb' 
has twice been married, first to Miss Mary, daughter of Elijah Houghton, Nov. 1, 1833. 
She died Sept. 22, 1 S 47, leaving five children, but theje of whom are n >w liviug — 



750 



BIOGRAPHICAL 8KET( HES: 



Julia \.. Alia I', and Alvira. Be married bis present wife July _'_'. 1848 
\s.i- M • Sarah Whitlow. Tiny have one child — Thomas J. 

AMOS COMB8 farmer; P.O. Lloyd; bod of Jonah Combe and grandson of 
Nelson and Hannah (Glover <'• mbs Bis father was born in Nelson Co., Ky.,Oct. '■'>. 
1794] where he was raised, and was married June 23, l^i'l. to Miss Mary .1 Bixler; 
they came to Illinois, locating where be sow resides, in 1826, and in 1849 she died, 
leaving eight children March 23, 1850, he married his present wife, t li « - mother r»f 
M 9 I). Shephard, and daughter of Enoch Ayers, and was born in 
Cumberland (.'".. N. J., Nov. 26, 1806 The subject of this Bketch was born upon the 

old homestead, where he now resides, June 24, 1851. Be acquired a g 1 common 

schooling, and followed agricultural pursuits. Be was married to Miss Virginia M. 
Primm. They have four promising children — Enoch II.. Barrie S., Celia A.. and Sarah 
L. Mr. Combs owns LOO acres of the old homestead farm, ami is a respected citizen. 

.1 B. GORDEN, farmei P Lloyd; son of William B. and Mary Gunter- 

nian Gordon, who were among the first setdi - f Menard Co.; was born where be now 

D ' 1839; he has resided on the old homestead, and followed agricultural 

pursuits thus far through lit'.'. Be married Miss Julia A. Cinch, of Springfield, Oct 

-7.". She "a- born Feb. 13, L853. II'- oow owns 120 acres 

GEORGES HARRISON, farmer ; I" <> Petersburg ; was born in this county 
in 1839; aon of John P. ami Parthena S. Barrison. During his early life he endeav- 

to nt, tain a g 1 education, though he only hail the advantage of a few tern 

district school ; but by study al home, he became able t" teach school, and followed 
teaching a Dumber of years. II' baa now turned bis attention to farming. Be married 

Mi— Luella I! W Lb, daughter <>t' Rev. Giles W. Woods, of Sangamon Co.; they 

were married Sept L'ti. 1878. Be resides a] hi- father's farm, BuperiDtendin 

IIAKM II ^.RMS, farmer; I'. 0. Lloyd; son <it' Jacob ami Margaret Barnes 
Harm.-, n;i> born in Banover, Germany, April 1'.'. 1827 ; his father died in Baaoverin 

1 and his mother died in l^t',7. During his early life, he learned the trade "1' a 
weaver, which he followed a Dumber of yean Be manufactured woolen ami Linen 

• on hi- own account for a time, just previous t<> coming t<i this country, whir! 
m 1857; he came directly to Menard Co., 111., ami began farming. In 1865, he 
removed N ka for a time, then returned to Germany. Be returned t<> this 
country with .Mi-s Mary Julifs, and they were married al Petersburg Oct 14, IE 
they ime and Bettled where they dow live. She was born July -. I : 

II owns i' 11 " acres of good land, the resull of bis owd energy. Tina have a family 
of four— Anna M . born Julj 10, 1867; Christine, July 24, 1869; Fannie l». M 
I 872 A phi i II Feb. 26, 1874. 

\ i: IK'i GHTON, farmer; P.O. Petersburg; son of Chas. P. and Elisabeth 

leventer Boughton; was born near where he now resides Feb. 7, 1825; he has 
followed fanning, and served one year in the Mexican war. Be married Miss Elvira 

Dson, of Menard Co M .. 29, L85S ind shortly afterward settled where he dow 
resides; they have raised three children— -James I-'., born Aug. 19, 1856, and died Feb. 
12, 1*77; William O.,boro Oct. 22, L859 . M irj A . April 23, L862. Bis farm con- 
sists "t 230 acr« - of land. 

\ M BOUGHTON, farmer; P. O. Lloyd ; son of EHjah and Catharine Ma 
rill i Boughton, who came from Mason Co., K\.. in 1824, locating where A. M. now 

i; here this son rn Oct. 12, 1826, and here be has always lived on tb< 

farm . he is an enterprising and prosperous citizen and dow owns 520 acres of fine land. 
His father died in 1852. Mr. Houghton married Miss Barbara A Renshaw, of San- 

'i Co., 111.. April !». L856; they have had two children —Ann M. dow Mrs. John 
v Bury, of this count) , and Wyley P. d< 

TARLTON LLOYD, farmer; P.O. Lloyd; one of the first white settlei 
N l nard Co one from Rockingham l was born Maj 9, 1784, and 

located where he now lives in 1820; here hi has since resided, and is, beyond a doubt, 
the most active man tit' his age in Central Illinois. In 1800, he was married to Miss 

. Hunter; shediedin 1834, leaving seven children. In L 837, he married Catharine 



ROCK CREEK PRECINCT. 



751 



Kcltner, who died in 1870, leaving nine children. He is now, at the ripe old age 
of 95, residing with his youngest son, who works his farm, which consists of 173 
acres. 

CATHARINE 1). PURKAPILB, farmer; P. 0. Petersburg; widow of the 
late James Purkapile ; was born in Mason Co., Ky., Oct. 1 I, 1817 ; daughter of Chas. 
P. and Elizabeth (Vandeventer) Houghton; her parents were among die first settlers 
of .Menard Co., coming from Mason Co., Ky., in 1824. Her father died in 1835, and 
her mother in 1836. She was twice married — first, to Mr. T. J. Nance, Sept. 20, 1836, 
who was a promineni man of this county, and died in 1842, leaving three children, but 
one of whom is now living — Hon. Albert G. Nance; she married for her second hus- 
band, J. Purkapile, May 20, 1859; he was one of the prominent pioneers of this 
county, industrious, benevolent and highly respected; he died Jan. 19, 1878; she had 
one child by this marriage — Mary E. Mrs. Purkapile owns and superintends her farm, 
which consists of 230 acres of land. Her residence is among the best in the county. 

J. 11. SMITH, farmer; P. 0. Tallula ; son of Samuel and Anna (Rhodes 
Smith: was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., May 4, 1836 ; the same year, his parents 
came to Illinois, remaining until 1851, when they removed to Cass Co., 111., where they 
died in 1ST", his father in January, and his mother in June. In 1850, he went over- 
land to California, and remained some two years, and returned by water. Mr. Smith 
enlisted in the late war with the 51st I. V. I.; served about twenty-eight months, par- 
ticipating in many of the most severe battles, and escaped injury. After the war. he 
came to Menard Co., and, Aug. 22, 1865, married Miss Courtney A. Capper, of Cass 
Co.; they have two children — George H. and Addie R. He owns a fine little farm of 
ninety-five acres. 

'[•:. B. YOAKUM, farmer; P. 0. Lloyd; son of Matthias and Elizabeth ( McHenrv | 
Yoakum; was born where he now resides Nov. 10, 1837 ; his parents were among the 
first settlers of Menard Co., coming from Tennessee in 1820, and located where E2. 1!. 
now resides ; here his father spent the remainder of his life, and died in 1855 ; his 
mother survive.-- at the ripe age of 80 ; E. B. now owns ninety acres of the old home- 
Stead farm. He married Miss Mary A. Cogdal May l!», 1857; she was born March 
1 1, 1841 ; they have raised two children — Amanda J., born July 20. 1860, and John 
T., Jan. 12. 1803. 







MASON COUNTY. 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 

HYRENIUS W. ANDRUS, retired, Havana: was born in Rutland, Jeff 

N I I ' ' - ; 1810, l'ii! removed, when about 16 yean of age, with bis father's 

family, to Watertown, N. V.. thence, in the spring of 1836, to Illinois, His first looa 

timi was at Havana, then within the confini Mr. Andrus, soon after 

his arrival, engaged in the mercantile business with the late Northrup J, Rockwell, and 

abonl three yean later removed to Fulton Co., and became a tiller of the soil. In 

1845, be returned to Havana, which has Binoe been his home, and again engaged in 

mi robandising. The condition of the country, and the methods of doing busini as on the 

arrival (and for many yean after- of Mr Andrus and other early -ettkrs will he fully 

set forth in another department of thi> work. Mr. Andrus served as justice of the 

at quite an early date in the history of the city, hut declined all other invitations 

to public nonon. He is the oldest in the mercantile trade <>f any one now living in 

lh u it married, in 1834, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Northrup Rockwell, 

and Bister of the late Judge Rockwell : she was horn in Vermont ; died at Havana, in 

1853. By this anion there were five children, none of whom are now living. In I 

he was married to Mrs, Elizabeth Rutledge, daughter of 1!. Simms; her native place 

was Virginia; her death occurred in 1873 He was married to Mr-. Bigourney 

Clark .hi- present wife, in 1876; Bhe was horn in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. V 

HENRY BORGELT, 8b., farm - :. P.O. Havana; was horn in Han- 
over, Germany 1827; became to America, in 1844, and first located in St. 

Louis, Mo. In 1850, he c;une to N l ISOn Co., ami the following year, with others, man- 
ufactured the brick used in the construction of the Court House, at II ivana. He was 
married, June 7. 1852, to Mi-- Eliza Horstman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, 
D( 7 1832 Bhe came to America in 1837. Her father, Henry Horstman, settled 
M tanzas, this county. They have nine children — Charlotte {wife of G. B. Hols- 
Henry, Jr., Prank, Lissie, William, Charles W., II Mary and Tettie, 

Mr. Borgelt owns 130 acres of farm Ian I. and .-e\t nty-three acres of tim 

JAMES BLAKELEY deceaa i II >■ was horn in Mon- 

mouth Co N J \\ r, li 1-117. where he resided until 1834, then removed to 

1., Ohio, and two yean later to Illinois, locating first in Sangamon 
In \11il. 1 838, he settled in Kilbourne Township, this county. Por twenty-three 3 
prior to his death, which occurred Sept. 19, 1870, bis home was in Havana Township, 
where bis widow now resides with her Bon, .lam- 11. In 1828, -he was marrii 
Mr Blakeley, by whom -he bad nine children ; Beven are now living — Jacob reside- in 

\ I '! S . in Kilhourne Township ; Hannah and Sarah (twins), the former. 

wife of William Polland, lives in Pulton Co:, 111., and the latter, wife of B. P. Wal 
resides in J »hn M lives in Obourne Township ; Lydia A., wife of P. O'Neal, 

resid on the old home place, in Havana Township; 

dam.- ;; i Jan. 17, 1833 M Mn. Blakeley owns 130 acn 

laud in I! I Wnship. dan, - II I. - horn in Havana Township, this 

count ' i 1-17 Hi was married, April I. 1875,1 iroline, daughter of 

C Hurley . they have two children. Jacob C and Ella J. Mr. Blakeley owi 

md in M • i I . and 1 I - I [annafa Blaki 

the eidesl daughter of Aaron Scott, who settled in Mason Co. in l v ^-. shi was horn 
in Salem, Salem Co., N ■' . Feb 3, I-' 1 '. 1 . iltbougb Bhe is now past 7" 
bei memorj oi - remai leal I res Ij 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 753 

BENJ. F. BOWMAN, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P.O.Havana; was born in Havana 
Township, this county, Dec. 29, 1846. His father, D. W. Bowman, who was born in 
Tennessee, came to Illinois in 1836, and settled in Greene Co., and in February, 181T>. 
removed, with his family, to Mason Co., where they have since resided. His mother 
was Elizabeth Ballard. She was born in North Carolina. The subject of this sketch 
now resides on the faun, which has been his home since birth. He has served one term 
as School Trustee, owns eighty acres of farm land in Havana Township, this county, 
and forty acres of timber in Fulton Co.. 111. 

SAMUEL BIVENS, Treasurer of Mason Co., Havana; was born in Pike 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 22, 1839, and is a son of William Bivens, a native of Salem, N. J. 
The subject of this sketch enlisted in the 117th Ohio V. I., in 1862, and remained oue 
year, then, by order of Gov. Todd, proceeded to enlist men for the artillery. Fr.nu these 
recruits Battery C, First Ohio Artillery, was formed, and Mr. Bivens commissioned 
Captain. He served until the close of the war, participating in all the battles from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta; also the siege at Nashville. In August, 1865, he was mus- 
tered out of the service, and, in the following October, came to Illinois, locating at 
Lincoln, where, for one year, he was engaged in the live stock business, then came to 
Mason City, this county, where, for a term of six years, he was engaged in the hard- 
ware trade. In 1873, he was elected Treasurer of Mason Co., and is the present 
incumbent. Mr. Bivens is a member of the following Masonic bodies : Mason City 
Lodge, No. 403. Havana Chapter, No. 86, and Damascus Commandery, No. 42. 

DE WITT C. BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec 33 ; P. 0. Havana ; was bom 
near Schenectady, N. Y., May 19, 1822, but removed, in childhood, with his father's 
family, to Chautauqua Co., that State, and subsequently to Allegheny Co., Penn. In 
1845, he removed to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, Mason Co., in the spring 
of that year. He fenced a forty acre tract by digging a ditch around it, which, to a 
person coming from a heavily timbered country, was a novelty. He now owns about 
1,000 acres of land, a part of which is the original purchase made when he came to the 
State. Mr. B. has served a period of about twenty years as School Director. He was 
married, in 1851, to Mrs. Ann (Gibbs) Shelly, who was born in England. Her father, 
William Gibbs, was a powder manufacturer, and at one time was employed by Du Pont. 
They have three children — John, Charlie, and Josephine, wife of John Brent, who 
resides in Mason Co. Mrs. Brown has one child by her former marriage, Julia A., wife 
of John Mowder, who resides in Kansas. 

HON. WASHINGTON II. CAMPBELL, lawyer, Havana; was born in 
Bath, tin.--, county, Oct 12, 1847. His father and grandfather, George H. and P. W 
Campbell, settled in Bath Township in 1842, aud were from Tennessee. They were of 
Scotch descent, and men of talent and ability. George H. Campbell is at present a 
resident of Mason City, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. The subject 
of this sketch resided at Bath until 1857 i then Id years old), when his father 
elected County Judge, and removed to Havana. lie entered Lincoln University ii 
1866, from which he graduated in 1869. lie then entered the Law Department of the 
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. In the summer of 1870, he entered the law 
office of Dearborn & Son, and Boon after his admission to the liar formed a copartner- 
ship with Hon. Luther Dearborn, the elder member of the above firm, which -till exists, 
lie has been admitted to the U.S. Dist. Court, the U. S. Circuit Court, also the several 
adjoining Circuit Courts and State Supreme Court, in all of which he has a large and 
increasing practice. In April. 1879, he was admitted to the United States Supreme 
Court, and went to Washington, 1>. <'.. where he has in charge, at this time, a 
involving over $80,000, which he has gained in the lower courts. Mr. Campbell, after 
having graduated, kept up his Btudies as prescribed by Lincoln University, and in dune, 
1872, the degree of B. S. was conferred upon him. and, in 1st.'!, he addressed the Alumni 
Society. It would seem almost snpeifiuous to add that Mr. Campbell is one of 
the ablest lawyers in his judicial district. *lle was married, March '_'•'-. 1876, to Miss 
Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Q. and .Mary A. Conwell, who was horn in Havana. 
They have one child — Hillery E. Mr. Campbell is a member of Havana Lodge, N ■ 



754 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

- - \ 1' \ A M. Be was • ■'• • M ."r of the • -it y of Havana in April, 1879 
ainl i- the present incumbent 

JOHNB CHANEY farm* - 5 P.O - ition ; was born in Simp- 

Nov. I. 1811, and is a son of M I Elisabeth Chaney, the former a 

native of Virginia, the latter <>f Kentucky. The family removed to Tennessee when 

John I! was abonl \~> yean of age. He removed to Illinois in L837, locating first id 

ne Co., and. in the spring of L839, Bettled in what is now ('ran.- ('r.'.k Town 

ship, Mason Co. He came to Havana Township in the fall of that year, having located 

his claim the year previous, and now resides on the original claim, which has I n his 

home for the last forty years. At the second election after the organisation of M 
Co., Mr. Chan ted Count} Commissioner. He was married, May 8, 1834 

Miss Missouri I rho was born in Sumner Co.. Tenn. They have had ten chil- 

dren by this union, nine of whom are now living— Sarah A., wife of James lln. 
resides in Bourbon Co., Kan.; James T. resides in Mason Co.; Elizabeth resides in 

barity J. lives at hum.'; Catharine, wife of Daniel Clark, resides in Mason 
Co. . Harriet, wife of William II. Williamson, lives in this county ; Martha C. wife of J. 
II Poland resides in M I John; Missouri A., wife of Albert Glyn, resides in 

Pike Co., 111.; Thomas II. died Feb 16, [873. Mr. Chaney's father was one of the 
early Bettlers •• ^1 irgan Co., 111., locating there as earlj as I 

* WALTEB L COON,farmer Sec 35; P.O.Havana; was born in Quiver Town- 
ship, this county, Aug. 16, 1 849, and is a son of George D. Coon, who was born in N-w 

ttled in Mason Co. as early as 1842. The Bubject of this sketch was 
married to Mi-> Emma J., daughter of Charles Howell, Feb. [9,1874. They have 
two children— George C and Ralph W. Mrs. C i's father oame to the county in 

JOHN N CARMAN, farmer, See. 13; P.O. Havana; was horn in Hancock 
K Jan. 24, 1846; when about 10 years of age, he i Peoria, Dl., and sub- 

sequently went bo Princeville, Peoria Co. At the opening of the P.,P. & J. R. R., he 
master, and checked the* first trunk sent over the road. II 

in the employ of tl impany three and a half year-, and then engaged as clerk 

with Frankinfield & Solenburg, of Havana, and, subsequently, for J. II. Foster and Lang 
ford & Griffith, in all aboul ten years. In [868, he was married to Miss Lucy Nettler, 
who was born in Havana Township, this county; her death occurred the same ; 
lie was married to his present wife. Miss Ella ECelsey, in duly. 1871; she was born in 
I S. Y. They have two children — Fannie and Frank. 
JAMES <<i\ [NGTON, farmer. Sec. l; P 0. Havana; was horn in Dearborn 
Ind. Feb. I". 1824, where he resided till he came West, in 1844, locating in C 
Creek Township, Mason Co., 111., in the fall of that year, where he engaged in farming 
After a residence in Crane Creek of about three years, he came to Havana Township, 
where he has sine* resided. He has served as School Trustee Borne three term-, and is 
the present incumbent. Married, April I. 1851, M - ih Wheeler, who was born in 
d Co., III.; she died May :;i». 1859. Three children by this union, two of whom 
are living— Arabella, wife of William Prettyman, and Susan P., wife of James Hen- 
ninger; Catharine, died March 6, 1864. In 1865. he married Sarah Hole, daughter of 
Stephen Hole; she was horn in Washington Co., Ind. ; her death occurred in Maj 
By this nnion there are two children -William T. and Stephen II. Mr. Got 
iugton own- 22 ' farm land-, and 160 acres of timber. 

GEORGE CORDES - 20; P <» Havana; was born in Hanover, 

iany, in February, 1819 America when twenty-one y< . and first 

located at Haiti re. Md., th< I incinnati, (thio. and from there he removed 1 

Louis M He u ntly went to New ( cleans, and on his return to St. Louis, he 

enlisted in Col ' Mo Inf.. and served eighteen months in the war 

with Mexico, noder Gen. Price. In the summer of [848, after bis discharge from the 
e. he loeat. d iii Havana Township, this county, where he has since followed farm 
iiiL-. ' land in this township. In l^.».;. he was married to Miss Ellen 

Woster, who was born in Hanover. Germany They had four children — Lissie, wife of 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 755 

I). Kremer ; Lucy, wife of William Reipe ; Mary J. and George J. Mr. Cordes is now 
serving his second term of .lust ice of the Peace. 

SAMUEL C CON WELL, attorney, Havana ; was born in Sussex Co., Del., Aug. 
"J7, 1819, and is the son of George and Hannah i Cum | Conwell ; when about 11 yean 
of age, the subject of this sketch removed to Shelbyville, Ind. He received his early 
education in the common schools in Indiana, and had for a classmate Gov. Thomas 
Hendricks. Mr. Conwell says the students generally gave more thought to having a 
good time and enjoying the present, with little regard to the future; also, that their 
teacher, on account of the waywardness of the youth, or from some other cause, took to 
the woods and hanged himself. This tragedy closed the school and graduated the stu- 
dents. In about 1835, Mr. Conwell went to Zanesville, Ohio, where he served for a 
time as clerk in a store, and, in 1840, removed to Illinois, locating at Walker's Grove, 
this county. In 1848, he commenced the study of law with William Walker, at Havana, 
and was admitted to the bar in January, 1851 ; his license was signed by Samuel II. 
Treat and Lyman Trumbull. He is the oldest in the practice of his profession of any 
attorney in Mason Co., and served as the second School Commissioner of the county. 
In December, 1841, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of James Walker, of 
Walker's Grove. Her father settled there in 1837 ; she was born in Dearborn Co., Ind. 
Eight children by this union, five of whom are living — Amelia L., wife of Janus F. 
Kelsey ; Henrietta, wife of F. Pollitz ; Charles A., now practicing law at Rawlins, Wyo- 
ming Ter. ; Elizabeth, wife of W. H. Campbell, and Fannie. 

MARCELLUS E. COVINGTON, drugs, medicines, etc., Havana; was born in 
Havana Township, this county, April 14, 1854, where he has since resided ; his father, 
Robert Covington, settled in Mason Co. about 1845. The subject of this sketch has 
resided in Havana since 18G2, and established his present business in 1873. He w;l- 
married, June 18, 1879, to Miss Katie Kemp, who was born in this city. Mr. Covington 
is a member of Havana Lodtre No. 743, K. of H., and Prosperity Lodge, No. 114. A. 
O. U. W. 

JACOB F. COPPEL, banking and insurance, Havana: was born in Adam- Co., 
Ohio, Aug. 17, 1833, where he resided until March, 1853, when he removed to Havana 
and engaged in the stove and tinware business until 1858 ; he then commenced the 
study of law with Walker it Dearborn, and was admitted to the bar in 1861, and com- 
menced practice; in 1862, he formed a partnership with William Walker, which con- 
tinued until 1865, then engaged in insurance in connection with law, and, in 1866, 
commenced the banking business under the firm name of Kemp. Coppel & Co., until 
1807, in September, when .Mr. Kemp died, and the firm became McFadden & Coppel, 
and still so remains. Mr. Coppel served as Master in Chancery for about twelve years ; 
was Mayor in 1877-78; appointed United States Deputy Collector of Fourth District 
July 1, 1878, which office he stil! retains. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Mary L. 
daughter of Robert McReynolds, a native of Columbia Co., Penn., but came to Mason, 
Co., 111., when but '1 years old; the result of this marriage is eight children — Clar 
E., Frank M., Charley 11.. Myrtie L., Daisy D., Thusnelda, Clara K. (died in 1864 . 
and Nellie F. (died in 1873 . His father, Daniel Coppel, was born in Philadelphia in 
1787, and came to Adams Co., Ohio, when about 18 years old, and thence to Illinois ; 
be died in 1 ^7 1 ; his wile | Martha Whiteman I was born in Fairfax, Ya., in 1791, and 
died in 1863. .Mr. ('. i-- a member of the following Masonic bodies: Havana I. 
No. 88; Havana 1!. A. Chapter, X". *<i ; Damascus Commanderv. No. 42 ; Mason 
Lodge, No. 143, LO.O. F. 

GEORGE W. CRAIG, Sb., dealer in cigars and tobacco, Havana ; was born in 
Canton, Fulton Co., 111., Jan. 28, L845, where he resided till about l!) years of age; ho 
then worked at his present trade in different localities in the Western and Southern 
States, and, in L868, located in Havana, his present home, where he engaged in his 
present business about eight years since. In December, 1871, he married Miss Annie. 
daughter of Henry Taylor; she was born in Washington Co., Penn.; they have two 
children — Prank F. and George W .. dr. Mr. Craig is a member of the follow- 
ing Masonic bodies: Havana Lodge, No. 88, and Havana Chapter. No. S(i. He 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKEVCHBS: 

enlisted ia Co. K. L32d I. V. I., in the spring of 1864, and served till the fall of hub* 

JOHN M DEHM, Burmer, Bee 12 I*. 0. Havana; was bum in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, Mtv 20, 1832 . he oame with his father's family to America in l v .~>i ; they tirst 
settled in Tazewell Co., HI., where thej engaged in farming, and Bubseqaently removed 
t,. Woodford Co. He iru married, in 1861, to Mia Ann B. Lieb, who was born in 
Baden, Germany, .Jan. 13, 1835; she oame to America in 1859; they haveoneohUd — 
John W . born Nov. 1~ . l^til ; in 1871, they rune to Havana, bul have resided some 
in in the State of Missouri. 

JOHN II. DIERKER, retired farmer, Bee. .'il ; P. < > Havana; was born in 
Hanover. Germany, Aug 17. 17!'!»; in ls:;s, he came to America with his brother, 
John Henry; tiny made s short stay at New Orleans, La., and with their brother 

ge, win. bad preceded them about three years, then oame to Mason Co. in April of 
the same year; George and John Henry settled in Batb Township, and the subject of 
this -ketch on the farm where he dow resides. In 1839, he was married to Miss Mary 
(' Heye, who was born in Hanover, Germany; her death occurred Dec 10, 1874; they 
had four children, two of whom are now li\in_ r — Maggie wife of Louis Haho . and 
Hannah wife of Henrj Halm Mr. Dierker has been identified with the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of Havana since i;- organisation, and has contributed liberally in time 
and money in building op th 

WALTER 8. DRAY, loan business, Havana; was born in Allegheny City, Penn., 

_'". 1-:;-. but removed, when about 1 year old, with his lather- family to the 

ton of Iowa; thence, in 1845, to Pike Co., Mo., and, three years later to Vermont, 
Fulton ('".. 111. Prior to hi- leaving Iowa, hi- mother died. and. a- his father was then 

ifornia, he became the protege of his grandmother. In 1857, he removed to Cleve- 
land, nhin ; but, two years later, returned to Illinois and located in Canton, Pulton 
and engaged in the jewelry business. He removed t<> Havana, his present home, in 
1 -ill. and embarked in the same line of trade In 1868, Mr 0. C. Town, who 
had been with tie' establishment since 1864, became a partner in the business, which 

continued till l^T.V Mr. Dray then sold out to Mr. Town and gave hi- especial atten- 
tion toother interests He wa- married, in 1864, to Miss Louisa P., daughter of Hon. 

William Allen, of Havana; hy thi- union there were three children, only one of whom 

i.- living -Gail, a bright and interesting lad of 7 years, who lives with hi- -rand- 
mother Allen; Roy, who was born in July, 1866, died Nov. 1_. 1872; George W. 
died in infamy. Mr. Dray is a member of the following Masonic bodies Havana 

Havana Chapter, No. 86, and Damascus C mandery, No 12 He 

has been a member of the Hoard of Aldermen during the last four years, servin 
Pr< sident of the Finance Committee during that peri 

PHILIP I.. DIEFFENBACHER, physician and sur_ Havana; born in 
Northumberland Co Penn., Feb. 6, 1830. He is the eldest son of Daniel and Cath- 
arine I. Diefienbacher ; his parents removed to Illinois in l-:;7. and settled in 
what wa- then a part of Tazewell boh Mason Co. He remained at home and helped 
improve a new farm until 1849, when he returned to Pennsylvania for the jiur|po- 
attending school. He i ntered the Newville Academy, a preparatory school t" the J< f 
1 liege, at Cannonsbnrg, where he finished his preparatory eduoati >n He then 

hi in the schoolhouse he helped to huild. known a- the 

Dieffenbach< r 8ch< olhoue i about six milt - east of Havana. In the summer of 

id to Pennsyh inia and commenced the study of medicine in the office 
B. Long, of i the Jefferson 

cal College, of Philadelphia, in 1 -.">:;. and graduated at that institution in the 
Bprinj the winter of l-.")} 55, he attended clinical lectures and prac- 

tice of Blockle) Hospital, \\ i -• Philadelphia, kfter graduating, he established his 

.it Mount Joy, I. an' I'. mi . and th he practii f his profession. 

In ti lie returned to Illinois, locating at Havana, and the following 

married to Miss Frances A Parmelee, of Lockport N Y In August, IE 
he enlisted in the United -taut Surgeon of the 85th Illinois 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 757 

Infantry, and was promoted to Surgeon with rank of Major, in June, 1863. He served 
with this body until the elose of the war ; was with Gen. Sherman in his march to the 
sea, and at Washington, D. C, where he was mustered out of the service, June 5, 1865, 
and received final pay and discharge at Camp Butler, 111., on the 11th of the same 
month. He then returned to Havana, where he has since resided, constantly occupied 
in the duties connected with his profession, in which he makes surgery ;i specialty. He 
performed the operation of resection of the shoulder-joint, for a gun-shot wound, suc- 
cessfully in 1860, just before the war. In 1874, he was married to Martha M. Mitchell, 
who was born in Cass Co., 111. ; they have two children — Mattic M. and Edith L. 
Mrs. Dieffenbacher's parents were natives of Virginia, and came from Kentucky to 
Cass Co., 111., at an early day, and to Mason Co. in 1846. The Doctor is a member of 
the Illinois State Medical Society, President of Mason County Medical Society, and U. 
S. Pension Examiner. He is also a member of the following Orders : Prosperity Lodge,. 
No. 114, A. 0. (J. W. ; I. O. M. A. and Pioneer Relief Association. He became a 
member of Humane Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., at York, Penn., in 1854. He has filled all 
the chairs in both the subordinate Lodge and Encampment. 

DANIEL DIEFFENBACHER, retired farmer; P.O.Havana; was born in 
'Columbia Co., Penn., Aug. 7, 1803, and is a son of Jacob and Christiana (Cotner) 
Dieffenbacher ; the former was born in Columbia Co., Penn., Nov. 17, 1775, died Oct. 
30, 1840; the latter was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Feb. 14, 17^4. died Dee. 21, 
1858. The subject of this sketch resided in the place of his nativity till the spring of 
1827, when he moved to an adjoining county i Northumberland ). He was married 
Jan. 18, 1827, to Miss Catharine Long, who was born in Columbia Co., Penn., Sept. 3, 
1808. In 1833, he returned to the county of his nativity, and in the fall of 1837, 
removed to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, this county, where he engaged in 
farming the following spring. He served on the first grand jury after the organization 
of Mason Co., in 1841 ; was also School Director at an early date, lie became iden- 
tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church in the fall of 1831), at which time services 
were held in a log cabin. Their first preacher was the Rev. Michael Shunk. Mr. 
Dieffenbacher's wife died Nov. 4, 1SG0 ; they had nine children, six of whom are 
still living— Christiana, wife of Thomas Covington, born Dec. 16, 1827, and resides in 
Havana; Dr. Philip L. (see sketch); Joseph M., born Jan. 25, 1836, resides at Ipava, 
Fulton Co., 111.; Mary E., born Dec. 27, 1838, wife of Dr. Willing, lives at Bath ; 
Sarah C, born Nov. 11, 1S-44, wife of llufus Smith, resides in Kansas; Lorinda J., 
born March 4. 1848, wife of Cotner Weaver, resides in Pennsylvania. The following 
arc the names of deceased : John F., born June 3, 1833, died Oct. 7. 1834 ; Susan EL, 
born Aug. hi, 1841, died April 11, 1877 ; Alice A., born July 9, 1851, died May 20, 
I860. Mr. Dieffenbacher has disposed of his lands in Mason Co., but still owns a farm 
of 165 acres in Miami Co.. Kansas. 

JOSEPH DEHM, grocer (firm of J. Dehm & Bro.), Havana; was born 
in Bavaria, Germany. Jan. ."». 1837, and came to the United States in 1851, locating in 
Keiisselaer Co., N. Y., and in October, 1854, emigrated to Illinois. He located in 
Tazewell Co., and engaged in farming, where he remained until 1864, when he 
removed to Woodford Co.. remaining there four year-, at the end of which time 
be came to Havana and engaged in mercantile business ; he erected the buildinir 
containing groceries in 187 I. and the building containing dry goods was erected by his 
brother two years ago. He is a member of the firm of Dehm & BrO., and of George 
Dehm & Co! He was married, in 186!), to Miss Sarah L. Barringer, a native of 
Dayton, Ohio. They have three children— Martha J.. Jacob B. and Maggie. Mr. D. 
is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

HON. LUTHER DEARBORN, attorney (Dearborn & Campbell); Havana; 
was born in Plymouth, Grafton Co.. N. 11., March 21. 1820, and is a son of Jonathan 
and Nancy Walker Dearborn; he received his early education at the Newhampton 
Academical and Theological Institution, where he spent about live years; at an curly 

he began teaching, and during the winter months followed this vocation, until 
his removal, with his father's f.mily, to Dearb >ru Co.. End., in 1841. His first 



758 BIOGRAPHICAL SI 

employment in hi- new borne waa in tin- office of the Circuit Clerk, where be also 
commenced the study of law. In April, 1844, he came to Havana, l>ut after a 
idence here of about one y< St. t ' ae ('".. this Btate, and 

the following Elgin, in the same county; be was here employed aa 

book-keeper for W. C. Kimball, and afterward engaged in mercantUe busineaa on his 
own account. In elected Sheriff of K < having for hia deputy 

the well-known Allan Pinkerton. At r 1 1 * - expiration of his first term of off 

;i", Mr. Dearborn was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Kane Co.; during 
hia term of office, he waa admitted to the bar, and Boon after commenced the practice 
of law. In the fall of 1858, be removed to hia present home and became a law 
partner of William Walker. For the benefit of hia wife's health, Mr. Dearborn, in 
1 862, removed to 8t. Paul, Minn., when- he resided for two years, after which, 

ited by the educational advantages of Paribault, that State, he went to that 
beautiful city ; while a resident tb same inti rested in the Bchools, which have, 
ander the able and successful management of Bishop Whipple, acquired Bucfa a rep- 
utation at home and abroad, and was soon after elected oi f the Trustees, which 

position he has since held; he was also nominated by Gov. Mar-hall, and twice 
confirmed by the Senate of that Stat as a Trustee of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind 
1 at Paribault, and., as Chairman of the Building Committee, superin- 
tended ill" commencement of thai elegant Btructure, now completed, which beautifies 
the city and honors the State, and which, in connection with the Bob - the place 

Bucb a reputation abroad. In 1867, he was elected by the Grand Chapter of the State 

•and High Priest, and in that capacity visited most of the I in the State, 

delivering lectures and exemplifying the work of the Order. While on a visit to Dlinois, 
in the spring of 1868, Mr. Dearborn waa nominated, unexpectedly to himself, by the 
ovention, assembled in St. Paul, aa on . and 

mad" the canvass ol th< State for Gov. Horatio Seymour, of New Fork, as ih.ir candi- 
date for President of the United State- In 1869, Mr Dearborn returned t" Havana, 
whi.h has since been hi- home. In 1876, he was elected, by the tie party, 

itor, for the term of font B married, in March, 1850, to Miss 

Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Walker. Mrs U irb rn'a Either bought 

land in Mason County, in L836, and located at Walk' 
the following year. She was born in Aurora I 1 Co [nd., Jan. 3, 1829. Mr. 

and Mrs. Dearborn - family consisted of nine children, three of whom are living— Luther 
M Prank \ and James II Mr Dearborn has been a member of the Masonic I 
ternity since 1846; he is a member of Havana Lodge No. B8, II- ina Chaptei N 
and D 12, and ba - the Pirst Commander of the latter body. 

JABEZ DUNBAvB saloon-keeper, Havana; was born in Northamptoi 
Pent -. 1826, where he resided until hi- removal to Illinois in 1851 ; be 

first located in Havana in September of that year, and. about eighteen months 
i. moved to the State of Wisconsin, where he resided aboul - and then returned 

> i Havao bis ; t -• m borne; he has I n engaged in the manufacture of cigars, farm 

ing and grocery trad ber and. in 1877, engaged in his pn 

business. By hi- lir-t wife, Elizabeth Keller, there w< re f"ur children, only one of 
whom is now living -Edward J.; his second wife was M Seller, by whom he 

had one child. Hi- present wit! M - Marj I apsoi Griffith . -I" 

born in Tenn thej have two children -Omer and Preston. Mr. Dunbai 

member of W 1 !•"•. I. ( > I' 

[SAAC W ENGLAND a candies, confection a; born in Ha 

oship, this coo. I i 1850, where he has sioce resided; engaged in his 

married, in 1872 to Miss \.n Mkin. who 

born in the State of Kentucky, bul came to [llinois in early childhood. Their 
only child, Kyle, died in 

OLIVER C E ASTON, Poetmac il ina ; was born in Hamilton, Butlea 
ohin, Aug. 17. 1829, where he resided until 1856; in July of that year, he oame 
West ami located at Keokuk, [owa, which city, at that time, owing t" financial depression 



HAVANA T0WNSHI1*. 759 

and other causes, was practically bankrupt; after a residence of about two years. 
he found himself in about the same condition; he left Keokuk in the spring of ISiVs, 
with a sum total to defray traveling expenses of 5 cents ; he readied Havana, his | 
ent home, soon after, in a somewhat depressed financial condition ; here he worked for 

a time at the carpenter's trade, and, on the 1st of March, 1865, he received the 
apppointnieiit of Postmaster, which position he has since held, with the exception of a 
period of seven months ; he has served one year as Town Clerk. In 1852, be was 
married to Miss Angeline, daughter of Spoom R. and Mary Pierce. Mrs. Easton was 
born in Norwalk, Ohio, May "J"), 1832 ; two children by this union, one living — Cora ; 
Belle died in 1S57. 

GEORGE S. EMERSON, agent of P., P. & J. 11. EL, Havana; was born in 
Essex Co., Mass., May 13. 1833, but removed in early childhood to Illinois, locating in 
Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., with his father's family; he remained in the county from 1836 
until 1871, with the exception of a residence of about six years in Do Ivalb C »,; for 
about fifteen years, he was engaged in mercantile business at Buda, in Bureau Co.; in 
1871, he removed to Whiteside C6., and was employed as agent of the C. 15. cC Q. R. 
R., at Prophetstown ; in November, 1875, he located in Havana and assumed his pres- 
ent position. He was married, in IS.")", to Miss Catharine L. Holton ; born in Catta- 
raugus Co., N. V.. and died in 1SG7; they have had four children, three of when 
living — -Wilmot II. Fannie P. and Georgiana. He was married, in December,]- 
to Celia L. Stone, bom in Stark Co., 111.; had one child by second marriage — Roy W., 
who died in 1ST-'!. Mr. E. is a member of Buda Lodge No. 399, A.. F. Ac A. M. 

ELI C. FISK. farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Havana: was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Aug. 22, 1825, but removed with his father's family to Illinois in August, 1S35, arriv- 
ing at Havana, this county, the 6th of that month, where they resided until August, 
1837, when they removed to the farm where he now resides. His father, Eli Fisk. was 
born in Stafford, Windham Co., Conn., April 9, 17S1 ; his death occurred Feb. 27, 
1861 ; his mother, Margaret (Moore) Fisk. was born in Union, Windham Co., Conn., 
May 16, 1788; she died in February, 1858. The subject of this sketch worked on 
his father's farm till October, 1847, when he entered the Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
graduating at that institution in 1 853, receiving the A. B. degree ; and. three year- 
later, the A. M. degree was conferred; he was licensed to preach about 185G. and. on 
the 1 9th of February, 1858, ordained Pastor of the Mason Congregational Church; 
among other literary pursuits, he his studied law. and was admitted to tin' barin 1869 : 
has served as Notary Public since that date, and School Trustee several terms. On the 
23d of June, 1SC7. he was married to Mias Rose A. Wagoner, who was born in Knox 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 19, IS til ; six children by this union— Margaret M., Lucy A. ()., Eli 
C John W., Frank F. and Rose M. Mr. Fisk has resided in his present home forty- 
two year.-, having located there in August. 1837. He owns 380 acres of land in 
Havana Township. The elm. a large and beautiful tree, a few rods southwest of Mr. 
Fisk's residence, grew from the seed which he planted in May, 1839. It now measures 
Id feet 1 inch in circumference. 

JUDSON K. FOSTER Low & Foster), grain and commission, Havana; was 
born in Canada West Sept. 14, 1 *:!.">. but removed in early childhood, with his father's 
family, to Havana, 111., which has since been his home, with the exception of a resid- 
ence in St. Louis of about two years. His father, Orren P.. Poster, was born in the 
Stat.' of Vermont, in 1812, and rem .vol t<> the West in 1835; h. first stopped at 

Davenport, Iowa, and while there repaired gun- lor Black Hawk- son; Mr. Foster 
removed to Havana that fall, or in the spring of 1836, an 1 engaged in hotel busil 
he subsequently bought a farm, about three miles northeast of Havana, which was 
his home until tin- time of his death, Dec. 17. 1843. The subject of this sketch 
remained on the farm till 1856, then removed to Havana, his present home; here he 
was tir-! employed as clerk, and, in 1858, engaged in busine-s on hi- own account : in 
the fall of the following year, he engaged in general merchandise, under the firm name 
of Low& Foal E Low), and continued in tint till 1863. Since the \ he 

has been engaged in lumber and grain trade. In 1S7G. the present firm of Low & 



760 BIOGK LPHICAL 8KETCHE8 

iblished. Mr I Town Trustee in 1871, Supervisor in 

I 872, hi 1. during the las m smber of the 8oho »1 li »rd, during 
which time the present fine school edifice a I. In 1859, he was married to 

Melloria K Rupert, who was born in Wisconsin; they have thr shildren — 

Orren W . Anson J. and Luther. Mr Poster ie a membei ■ M - I. Ig N 143, 
I. ( ). ( ) P. ; also of the Encampment 

SIMON FRANKINFIELD Havana; was born in Lehigh fJo., Penn., 

July -i. 1823, but removed to Clarion Co., that State, when about 1 l yean pf 
In 1841, he came West, and on M i 5 if that year, located in Bavana Township, 
. where h i in farming, which occupation he followed about four 

. he then removed t i Havana, and worked at tailoring, having learned the ti 
before coming West II subsequently followed farming, but Bince 1864 has resid 
Bavana, and, from 1866 to 1876 in the dry-goods business II 

married Sept. 3, L 846, to Muw Angeline. daughter of Reuben Benninger; sh 
born in Pennsylvania. Mr. F. is a member of the following Masonic bodies Bavana 
Lod il i Chapter ind Damascus Command < 12 

.1 i)l IN \ GRAY, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Havana; was born in Sullivai 
N V.. June 26 18 3 but n m •• id, wh in about t years of age, t i Illinois, locating in 

•ii Township, this county, about 1842 Bis father, Alexander Gray, was born in 
Scotland; he came to America when young, and, for - its, followed the occupa- 

tion of a sailor ; his mother, Sarah G (Tempest Gray, was born in Philadelphia, Penn. 
Mr. <iii\ has Berved as Commissioner of Highways and School Director II 
married, Sept 24, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Benninger, who was born in Northumberland 

Penn. ; they have had four children, two of whom are living — William P. and .John ; 
Arthur A . died in 1868. Mr. < rray owns 280 a xes of land in Havana Township ami 
240 acres in Sherman. 

EDWIN B. BARPH AM, physician and druggist, Bavana; was born in Phila- 
delphia April II. 1814, but, when about •"» years old, removed, with his father's 
family, to what was then Dearborn Co. now Ohl Co [nd.; here he commenced the 
Btudy of medicine with Dr. William Cruikshank, in 1842, and, in 1842 nd 1843 
attended the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. After graduating, he practiced one 
year with Dr. Cruikshank, and, in 1844, removed to Illinois, and located in II i 
where he followed the practice of his profession for more than twent] years. Hi* 
father, Jonathan Barpham, came to Illinois, and to Masoa Co., in 1850, and died in 
1852; his wife was Slarj Bates, and seven children were born to them, of whom K 

the eldest . James A . lives in Havana; Silas <i . near Havana; Mary A . widow 
of G. W. Squibb, lives near Salem, 111.; Levi, on a farm near Havana. Louisa, the 
wife of W. Hoffher, died at Muscatine, Iowa, in 1861 ; John lives in Wright I 
Di II served as County Superintendent of Schools He was married, in 1844, to Miss 

. Holliday, who was born in Ohio <">> [nd. They have three childi 

II who is in the hardware trade, in Havana. Lucy I". wife of J. B. Browning, 
M D.,of Bavana, and Corinne, who died in I860. 

JACOB BENNINGER, farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Havana; was born in Columbia 
5 1828, but removed, in childhood, with his father s (ami 
thumberland, and thence to Clinton Co., Penn.; in 1867, he came to Illinois, and located 
in Hi I wnship, where he b I. In May, 1851, he was marri 

M - Luoretia Quiglc, who was born in Clinton Co., P< nn ; they have had i in children, 

I whom are living William, John, G Samuel and Dora; the four 

ied are Eli, McClelland, Ada and I 

B \U PLE1 P. HOWELL, farm - I P. O. Hai is Worn in I 

ming Co., Penn., April 29, 1828, and is a son of Nathan and Anna Riohart) How. -II 
— the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of NTevi .1 i Ml B 

the family came t" Illinois in 1-s|m, locating in II Pownship, this county, in April 

of th M I! rell worked on his fathers farm till about 21 years of age, when 

he became a tiller of the soil on his own account . be made his first purchase of land, 
when about 16 years old On the 15tl N mber, 1849, he man i N l a Amanda, 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 7H1 

daughter of Reuben and Susanna i Buyer) Henninger; she was born in Dauphin Co , 
Penn.; they have had six children, five of whom are living — -John W.. Mary M. 
Susan Iv. Lovina I. and Charles C; Frances L., died Aug. 8, 1858. Mr. Howell, by 
nature well endowed, by habits well preserved, shows a record of health and physical 
force rarely met ; he has, during the last thirty-nine years, worked in every harvest and 
plowed every season, without the loss of a week by sickness; lie owns 1 T « » acres of 
land in Havana Township. 

LOUIS BAHN, tanner, Sec. 32; P.O.Havana; was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, July 11, 1836, where he resided till about 1.") years of age, when his father's 
Family emigrated to America, and located in Havana Township, this county ; bis father. 
Louis llahn, and his mother, Fredrica (Cella) Hahn, were born in Hanover. Germany. 
The subject of these lines was married, Nov. 5, 185S, to Miss Mary, daughter of John 
li. Dierker ; she was born in Havana Township Feb. 22, 1840, and died March 0, 
IS.")'.) ; their only child, Lucy, died Aug. 15, of the same year. On the 17th of April, 
1800, be married Miss Maggie Dierker (sister of his first wife); she was born in 
Havana Township, this county, April 24, 1842 ; they have seven children — Harman L., 
Hanna F., Henry F., Louis H., Gusta C, Regena L. and Anna M. Mr. Hahn owns 
000 acres of land in Havana Township, and 573 acres in Logan <'"., 111. 

JOHN HENNINGER, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O. Havana ; he is a son of Reuben 
and Susanna ( Boyerj Henninger; was born in Berks Co., Penn., May 28, 1820 ; in 
the fall of 184-2, he came with his father's family to Illinois, locating in Havana Town- 
ship, this county; Mr. Henninger worked on his father's farm til! 23 years of age, 
when he began farming on his own account. He was married, Oct. 10, 1851, to Miss 
Altba J. Faulkner, who was born in Madison Co., Ind., Feb. 25, 1835; six children 
by this union, five now living — Charles A., born Dec. 18, 1852; James S.. May 18, 
1850; Ora A., Feb. 24, 1800; Ada J., May 21. 1871. and John M., April 19, 1875; 
William P. was born Nov. 1, 1800, and died March 3(1, 1861. Mr. Henninger owns 
320 acres of farm land in Sec. 1 , and eighty acres of timber in Sec. 12, Havana Township. 

JOHN W. HEINRICH, manager for the Singer Manufacturing Co. for the 
counties of Mason and Fulton, Havana; was born in Baden, Germany, March 10. 1851 ; 
in the spring of 1853, his father's family emigrated to America, and located at Henry. 
Marshall Co., Ill ; he worked on his father's farm till past 21 years of age; since 1873, 
he has been in the employ of the Singer Manufacturing Co.; he located in Havana, 
his present home, .Ian. 2ti. 1876, and now has charge of the business of the Company 
for Mason and Fulton Cos. He was married, Jan. 0, 1870, to Miss Carrie Ward, 
who, though born in Woodford Co., 111., is of English descent; they have one child — 
Charles A. 

REUBEN HENNINGER, retired farmer; P. O. Havana; was born in Nor- 
thumberland Co., Penn., Sept. 13, 1801, but removed with his father's family to Columbia 
Co. in April. 1802, where he resided till about 17 years of age, when the family removed 
to Berks Co., and. some ten years later, to Dauphin Co.; in 1832. they removed to 
Trumbull Co., Ohio ; the subject of these lines came to Illinois in 1842, and located in 
Havana Township, this county, on the 20th of Octobar, of that year ; he has followed 
farming rince his arrival until about 1866, when be removed to Havana, his present 
home: be still owns a large tract of land in Mason Co., some 1,200 acres, and about 
200 aero of land in Kansas. On the 22d of June. 1823, he was married to Miss 
Susanna Boyer, who was born in Berks Co.. Penn . March 8, 1804: her death occurred 
Nov. 1. 1847 ; eleven children by this union, eight of whom are now living — William, 
^.ngeline wife ol 8. •Frankinfield), John, Amanda (wife of B. F. Howell). Ibuben, 
Daniel. Susan i wife of Charles Pager) and Sarah (wife of George Shaneberg), Margaret 
J. died in H17; Cyrus, Oct. 10. 1872; Franklin, in July. 1879. He was married to 
bis present wile. .Mrs. Catharine | Bell P _■ r, Oct. 8, 1848; -he was born in Union 
Co.. Penn., April ti. 1803, and had three sons by a former marriagi — John V . Harry 
A. and Charles < '. Pager. 

ALKXANDKB D. HOPPING, fanner. Sec. 11 . P.O. Havana; was born in 
the Province of Bower Canada Dec. 4, 1809, and is a son of Bphraim and Mary 



762 BIOGRAPHICAL BKSTOHB6 

\ i Hopping, the former ■ uativi ol Sen Jersey and the latter of Main.', thi 
subject of these notes resided in his place of nativity till 6 ge, irhen the family 

removed to Dearborn Oo., Ind.; Mr. Bopping removed to his present bome in 1851. 
He has served as Justice of the P : ', S h surer since 187 

Trustee and Director several years. On the 2d of May. L839, he irai married to M se 
Elizabeth Covington, who was born in Dearborn Co., End., Dec. 6, 1816; nine children 
by this union, four of whom are living N.. Alice A.. Charles E. ami Milton 

he 1 1 - 1 iii- a of • M urj J Thomas K . Susanna N.. James C. and 

Harvej P Mr. Hopping owns 345 acres of land, including five acres in the city of 

II. ma. 

HENRY II HAVIGHORST, hardware, Havana ; was born in Mason Co. Jum 
13, 1844, and is the eldesl Bon of John H. Havighorst, Sr., who settled in the count) 
\ as 1837; Benrj worked on bis father's farm until the fall of 1858, when, 
with his father's family, he removed to Havana, whicb has since been his homi 
received bis education at the Northwestern University at Naperville, 111; in 1867, be 
went to Colorado and spent ; ; i portion of that and the following year in the 

mountain ami mining districts of Colorado and Wyoming, Berving for a time as agent 
for Wells, Fargo & Co. and also operating a branch Btore for John Wanless .v Co . post 

rs at Ft Sanders; be returned to Havana in 1 1 » « - fall of 1868, and. on the 22d of 
D ruber following, was married to Bliss Harriet) A Howell, who was born in M 
Co., 111., two children by tliis union — Bertha L. and Flora A. In the spring of I 

d in tlic hardware business irr this city under the firm name of B 
Havighorst, and. in 1872, sold Ins interest to his partner and served as Deputy Sheriff 
under L M. Hillyer for nearly one year, and then purchased the hardware stock of his 
former partner, since which he has continued in the Bams line of trade. 

JOSIAH HARTS ELL, Sheriff of Mason Co., Havana, was born in Washington 

I'cim.. June 6, 1836, where he resided until his removal to [llinois in April, I 
locating in Mason Co.; he followed farming in Sherman Township from 1863 t" 1872 
and Berved as the first Collector of that town after township organization ; he was Deputy 
Sheriff from 1872 to 1876, and, in the latter year, elected Sheriff ol Mason Co. and 
re-elected in 1878, which position he at present occupies; has also Berved as Citj M 

shal. Mr. llart.-ell was married, in 1861, to Miss Maria K. Walter; -he was horn 

in the same county and State as himself. 

WILLIAM H. HOLE, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P <> Havana ; was born in Washington 
[nd . April 13, 1836, and i- a Bon of Stephen and Lucinda (Mitchell) Hole; th< 

former born on the site of the city of Cincinnati. Ohio Jul) 12, IT'. 1 ."), and the latter 

in W Iford Co., K\ . bis father died Jan. 26, 1873, and bis mother Sept. 1'.'. 1-77 

the Bubjecl of this sketch resided in his place of nativity till the removal of the family 

to Illinois in 1856, locating in Havana Township, this county. He enlisted in Co. K . 

85th I. V I . Aug. 18, 1862; was promoted to Fi int and served in that 

capacity during the last year of the war; was with Gen. Sherman on his march to 
the >ea. arriving at Washington, D. •'.. June •">. 1865, and received final pay and dis- 
charge at Camp Butler, [llinois, on the 11th of the Same month. In 1 866, he was married 
to Susan R., daughter of Daniel Dieffcnbacher, who was horn in Havana Township; 
she died April II. l v 77; two children by this union — Philip B. and Garnet D Mi 

II owns eighty acres in Havana Township. 

THOMAS \ HOLE, farm - 32; I' Havana; a brother of William 
II. Hole, whose sketch i- given above, and what has alreadj been written <>{ ■ 
father's family mid not he repeated here; he was born in Washington Co., Ind . Oct. 

I."), 1835, and came with other members of the family to [llinois in 1856. On the 9th 
of March, 1856, he was married to Miss Bliss 15.. eldest daughter of William Snyder, 
she wa- horn in Washington Co., Ind.. they have three children — Effie M. and the 

twins. Stephen Q and William S. M r Hole own- 1_ I land in Havana Town 

ship 

GIRARD W I' HAVIGHORST, retired fanner ; I' <> Havana; was born in 
Quaokenbruck, Hanover, Germany, July 1. 1^_'7 II merioa in the fall of 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. <'; ; > 

1844 and, via New Orleans, reached Shute'a Landing, about one mile belowthe present 

city of Havana. Soon after his arrival here he went to Meredosia, Morgan Co., 111., 
and engaged as clerk with Conn, Chambers & Pratt, where he remained till 1849 Be 
then returned to Mason Co. and located in Bath Township, and engaged in farming. 
in 1864 he visited his place of nativity and, on his return, located at Havana, in the 
the spring of L865^where he has since resided. He still owns 640 acres of land in 
Sherman and Pennsylvania Townships, in this county. He served as Assessor of 
Bavana Township one term, and member of the Town Board one year. Married, in L851, 
Miss Mary C. daughter of John 11. Marbold, who was born in Hanover, Germany. 
Three children by this union — Annie, widow of Ira Williams, Sophia W..aud Grace V., 
wife of Frank Strickle. Mr. II. is a member of Mason Lodge, No. 1 13, I. 0. 0. K. 
and Havana Lodge, No. 743, K. of II. 

WILLIAM HIGBEE, retired, Havana; was l.orn in Lexington, Ky., Nov 
(5, 1813; son of Vincent and Susannah ( Poindexter) Higbee ; the former a native of 
New Jersey, and the latter of Virginia; the family removed to Illinois and located in 
Greene Co., where the subject of this sketch resided until 1843, when he removed to 
Christian Co. 111., and to Quiver Township, this county, in 1847. In 1841, he mar- 
ried Miss Fannie ('.. daughter of Robert and Maria D. (Brown | Cross, both parents 
born in Somerset Co., N. J. Mrs Higbee was also born in the same county and 
State. Sept. 26, 1821 : their parents settled in Quiver Township, this county, in 1843, 
where the family resided at the time of her father's death ; her mother's death occurred 
after removal to Havana. In February, 184!t, Mr. Higbee removed to Havana, his 
present home. His mother, who has nearly reached her ninetieth year, residi 
Whitehall, Greene Co., 111. 

LEWIS R. HAACK, Sit., dealer in wall paper, window shades, window glas->, cur- 
tains, etc., Havana ; was born in York, Penn., Oct. 1, 1841. He enlisted in Co. K, 87th 
Penn. V. I., Aug. 24, 18G1, and served-till Oct. 13, 1864, when he was mustered out; 
during the last two years he served as Sergeant, In 1867, he came to Illinois and located 
at Havana, in March of that year. He was married, April 2. 1867, to Miss Louisa 
Shermeyer, who was born in Hanover, Germany. They have live children — Alice M.. 
Maria B., William H., Lewis It., Jr. and Charles F. Mr. Haack Berved as Alderman 
of the First Ward, in 1875-76. He is District Deputy Grand Master of Mason Lodge, 
No. 14.'!. and District Deputy Grand Patriarch of State Encampment, No. 34, [.0.0. P 
and of Masonic bodies, S. D. Havana Lodge, No. 88, King. Havana Chapter, No. 86, 
and Generalissimo, Damascus Commandery, No. 1-. 

JOHN HURLEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 20; P. O. Havana, was born in 
Ocean Co.. N. J.. May 26,1824. In the spring of I834,he came with his fathers 
family to De Witt Co., 111., where he remained till 1843, when he came to Mason 
Co., and settled in the north part of Havana Township. He engaged in farming 
until the spring of L 856, when he went to Kansas, but returned in the fall following. 
He was with Jim Lane all through the Kansas troubles of that period. Mr. H. owns 
-ill! acres of excellent land in Havana Township. He was married. Sept. 30, 1*17, to 
Miss Julia A. Baldwin, from near Cincinnati. Ohio, a daughter of Moses Baldwin, a 
captain in the Black Hawk war, now living in Le Roy, Kansas, but formerly of Havana 
Township. The result of this union is eight children — James M.. Sarah E. wife of 
James L. Hurley I , Mary I wife of Joseph Snider i . William, George W. and Ellen ; 
two dead — Martha I wife of L. Lawson ), died in 1868, Stephen !>.. who was 11 years 
old at the time of his death. Mr. Hurley built the first house between Havana and 
McHarry's mill, on the prairie; he helped build McHarry's mill, which was afterward 
burned, and helped to build the one now in use. Men came eighteen miles to help raise 
McHarry's first mill. Mr. Hurley possesses a natural foulness for hunting, but has 
usually turned this Bporl to profit. lie and his sons, aside from farming, are engag 1 

in fishing, from October to May. See card in the Business Directory. 

JOHN H. HAVIGHORST, Sa., retired. Havana; was born in Hanover, 
Germany, Jan. l'7. 1820, and came to the United States, in 1836, stopping in New 
Orleans until the following summer, he then came to Mason Co., 111., and settled iu 



7»'»4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Havana Township, when- be engaged in fanning until 1840, when he entered the store 
of .i"iin H. Schulteas i olerk, al Sohulte'a Landing, about one mile below the city of 
Havana; in 1844, be commenced business on bis own account at Matansas, and 
remained there nun! 1868. He was elected Sheriff <>f M ison C in the fall of that 

ind moved to Havana, where be -till residi i in the fall of I - 

and elected Circuit Clerk in 1 864, serving four years; he also Berved aa 8beriff two 
y.ir-. beginning in 1848 He was married, April 16, 1842, \<< Miss Susanna Mounts, 
a n;ui'. e of Kentucky, who died in 1 B5 1 . three children were the result of this marriage 
— Henry II Maggie II. wife of John 0. McBride, residing at Jacksonville) and John 
II. Jr. He was married to Sarah J. Skinner Deo. 23, l x ">-!; she was born in Brie 

I V Y . ; they have had four children, three of whom are living — Horace K . Cb 
M and Lulie . Myra M. died Feb 3, 1877 

CHARLES HOWELL, retired farmer, Sec 22; P. < >. Havana; was born in 
Penn., Feb. 18, 1808 and is ;i Bon of Nathan and Ann (Richart 
Unwell. both natives of Pennsylvania; when about 17 years of age, Mr. Howell went 
lambia Co., Penn., where be learned the trade of wheelwright and chair-maker; he 
quently learned the carriage trade in New JTork, where he resided about four 
in 1830, he engaged in the chair and cabinet business at Hon V Y.. hut 

Bold "Ut about a year later and returned to Pennsylvania, where, for about t\v>> years, be 
was i Dgmged with Mr. Richart in manufacturing carriages and Bleighs; he subsequently 
jed in chair and cabinet work at McEwensville, Penn., on his own account; in 
I >■ mber, 1 B36, be went to Jackson, La., where he was employed in a carriage-ahop for 
a .-Imrt time, and then went to Port Hudson, that State, where he helped to build a 
blacksmith simp ami depol for the Port Hudson & Clinton Railroad Company; the fol- 
lowing Bpring, he built a bridge 356 feel in length for the railroad company, whiuh is still 

i the Howell bridge; in the latter part of Jn f that year, be went to 

ins and purchased Borne articles of merchandise which he brought to Alton, III . 
and sold; after disposing of hi- g 1-, he came np the Illinois River and stopped at 

II ina. and, in .1 nlv 1837, entered land four miles east of the present city of Havana . 
he Bold to Reuben Henninger in 1842, and, with Messrs. Jones & Pollard, purchased 
the mill site now owned by Mr. MfcH urv ; they built a saw-mill on the north ride "I" 
the Quiver in 1842 ; in l^ir>. sold the site to Mr MoHarry, who built a grist-mill on 
the south side; in L843, Mr. Howell went to Matansas and engaged in mercantile busi- 

and the following year went to Bath, where he remained a few months and then 

returned to the Quiver, where he Bold g 1- aomi four "r five yean ; in 18 I!', he went 

to California via overland mute (Sublett's Cut-off north of the Salt Lake route), reach- 
i, then ;i city of tents, in October of that year, here he engaged in man- 
ufacturing rockers used in mining; in August, L850, he returned to the State- by way 
of the Isthmus, and, in the Bpring of 1859, made hit ri]> t i the Pacific I 

by waj of \ irginia City, then just springing into existence; be returned t ■ > M • 
the following November. He was married, Jan. 16, 1834, to Miss Elisabeth Long, who 

born in Colombia <'•> . Penn.; by this anion there were ten children, six of whom 
an- living Marj widow of J. I i Sallie M widow of Mr. Ballaell . Martha 

A wife of Mr. H Chariot I. and Emma J wife of Walter L Coon . 

the following are deo ised Franklin, Orpha, Catharine O. and Anson W. Mr. Howell 
has resided in Mas m » !o since 1 B37, a period of forty two years, with the exceptioa of 
hi- absence in Californi i and a residence in Kansas of a few y< 

I IKY JOHANNES HEINIOER, Pastor of St Paul lical Lutheran 

Church, Havana; was born in the Canton of Eriswyl, Switaerland, Dec. 31, 1843, 
where he resided until 10 y< and then removed to Basle, Switzerland, where 

he w.i> educated in a Missionary institution of that place. In 1866, he received a e.ill 
from Beardstown, III., as assistant Pastor of the Church at that place. He left his 
native country in 1866, and arrived at B urdstown, III., <m the Huh. if August of that 
. l .riii full by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Illinois 

and other Stab ria, III . in 1869; ho then r ived a call from Effingham, III., 

where hi Pastor from the above date till 1872, when he followed a call to 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 765 

Hannibal, Mo., and filled the pastorate at that place from 1ST- to 1875. He then, on 
account of failing health, entered the field as traveling missionary, and organized the 
congregation at St. Joseph, Mo. ; also one at Atlanta, Ga. In 1877, he followed a call 

as Professor in the Normal School near St. Louis, Mo., and. the following year, came to 
Havana, 111., and has since served as Pastor of the Chnnh here. He was married, June 
4, L868, to Miss Hanna Looniann, of Beardstown ; they have five children — Minna L., 
born March 25, 1869; Johannes, Dec. 28, L87J ; Lydia lv. Feb. 3, L874 ; Hannah M 
lv, March 8, 1876, and George L., Nov. 26, 1878. Mr. Heiniger is now a member of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Wartburg Synod. 

JOHN W. HOLZGRJ2FE, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Havana; was bom in Han- 
over, Germany, June 27, 1809 ; be came to America in 1836, locating firsl at Boston, 
Mass., where he worked in the factories of that city some three or four years. In July, 
1840, he came to Illinois and located on the farm where he now resides. He was mar 
ried in Boston, Mass., to Miss Katrina M. Hackmann, May 13, L837 ; she was horn 
in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 22, 1814, and came to America the same time as her hus- 
band. There were nine children by this union, six of whom are living — George William, 
born Aug. 5, 1839; George Henry, Jan. 2b", 1842; George Lewis, Feb. 21. 1845; 
George Braus, Feb. 4, 1848; Charlotte H. (wife of Frederick \V. Menkej, March 1, 
1«51 ; George Frank, Feb. 22, 1854. The deceased are Catherine E., born Feb. S.;, 
1838, died March 27, 1838 ; George Frederick, born Aug. 22, 1843, died May 31, 
1841) ; Catharine M., born May 16, 1855, died Jan. 29, I860. Mr. Holzgnefe owns 
12(1 acres of farm land, and twenty-three acres of timber in Havana Township. 

GEORGE HENRY HOLZGRvEFE, billiard and sample room, cigars, wines and 
licpuors, Havana ; Mr. Holzgraefe, son of John W. Holzgrrcfe, whose sketch is given 
above, was born in Havana Township, this county, Jan. 26, 1842. He was raised a 
farmer, and worked on his father's farm till about 26 years of age. In 1866, he engaged 
iu his present business, which he has since followed. He was married, in 1867, to Miss 
Anna Devermann, who was born in Hanover, Germany. They have had seven children 
by this union, six of whom are living — Matilda C, born June 25, 1868 ; Frederick W , 
Sept. 11, 1869 ; Julia A., July 3, 1871 ; Oscar R., April 1, 1873 ; Augusta, Aug. 11, 
1876 ; John Darwin, Nov. 22, 1878, and Katie M., born May 1, 1875, died Aug. 1, 
of the same year. Mr. llolzgnefe is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A 
M. and Havana Grove, No. 40, U. A. 0. D. 

HERMAN 11 ACKM AN, farmer, Sec. 18; P.O.Havana; was born in Hanover, 
Germany, Aug. 8, 1834; came to America in the fall of 1855, by way of New Orleans 
and stopped at Quincy, 111., until the following June, when he came to Havana Town- 
ship. Mason Co., where he has since followed farming. He now owns 240 acres of 
land, lie was married, April 3, 1866, to Miss Hannah Wissmann, who was born in 
Hanover, Germany, Aug. 9, 1847; they have three children — Lizzie, Wene and Clara. 
His father, Ruldolph llackman, came to America the same year (1855) ; both parents 
were natives of Hanover. Germany. His mother's maiden name was Man Hollenbaek. 

hlDMUND M. JOYCE, of the firm of E. M. Joyce & Co., dealers in groceries, 
crockery ami queensware, Havana; was horn in Jefferson, Lincoln Co., Me.. Oct. 1 L 
i^.i.">; when he was 9 years of age, his father removed to Springfield, 111., where he 
resided aoout eighteen months, and then went to Peoria. Edmond here learned the 
trade of a mechanic, and, at the age of IS, was employed by the Chicago. Rook Island 
& Pacific Railroad Company, and afterward by the Toledo. Peoria & WawaW Rail- 
road ; he iv;i> in the employ of the two companies about thirteen years, during which 
time he performed his various duties to the satisfaction of his employers He was 
married, m December, L864, in St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Agnes Smith, daughter of M. 
Smith, formerly of Peoria, hut a native of London, England: Mrs. Joyce was also born 
in London ; the re8ult of this union is seven children, four of whom are now living, 
viz., Mary L. .lames lv, Aggie L. an 1 Walter M. : deceased — William, who died in 
L870; Blanche A., in 1872, and Aggie lv, in 1873. Mr. Joyce engaged in the gro- 
cery business in Havana in 1872, and may be reckoned among the enterprising busi- 
ness men of the city. 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETI 

ALMON II JONES, farmer ;iu<l Btock-raiser, Sec. -1 ; P. « ». Havana; was born 
mi. Ohio, June 25, 1828 ; he is a son of Julius and Elvira Wile 

the former born in Massachusetts, the latter in New Fork ; in 1>:'>7. the family removed 
DKnois, locating in Menard in the fall of that year; in tin- Bpring of 1842, they 
i Co. and settled in Havana Township, where lii- father, with CI 
Howell and WilKam Pollard, built a saw-mill <>n the opposite Bide "t' the stream firom 
the mill now owned by Hugh McHarry. The Bubjeol of 1 1 • i — Bketch worked on bis 
father's farm till about 24 years of age, and then became a tiller of the Boil on his own 
account . he has resided on his present farm since 1856; owns aboul 380 acres of land 
in Havana and Quiver Townships; he has served as School Director about seventeen 
j, and, in 1852, was married I M « II isab I i Pugh, who was bora in Luzerne 
children by ihi- union, four of whom arc living — .Julius P., [ris L 
of Sheldon Atwater . Fannie M. and Florence A.: the tl ire Orilla, 

Arthur I». and Chai 

JOHN S. KICK. Police Magistrate, Havana; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, 
April 1. 1833; when abonl 15 years of age, be went to tb ria, Morrow Co., where he 
employed as Btation agent; in 1853, he removed to Ft Madison, [owa, and t • >nk 
itract to build ten miles of railroad ; be Berved for a timi i at the Stair's 

Prison, and, in August, 1861, enlisted in Co. Iv 19th [owa V. I., in July, 1862, he 
■ is commissioned Captain, and served in that rapacity till the close of the war; was at 
f Vicksburg, battles of Prairie Grove, Red Hi I lition, Port Hudson, 
M rganzia; at the latter place, the entire regiment, with the exception of seventeen 
men, was captured by the enemy, the Captain being among the number not taken. He 
ae time prior to the close of the war in garrison duty at New Orleans 
when mustered out of the service in 1866, returned to F< M [owa, and 

from there to Havana, his present home, in June of the same year; here he engaged in 
books and stationery business, and, three years later, on account of failing health, Bold 
-in and went to Colorado; was there one summer, and, on bis return, engaged in dry- 
trade under firm name of Hackman A Kirk, sold his interest four years later, 
ami. in May. 1-71. was elected Police Magistrate; re-eleoted in 1878; Mr. K. is a 
member of Mason Lodge No 143, [. «> F Havana I. ;. N 743, K; of H, ; 
Standard I I, I. O. M. A he is also Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th B 

lilent. I. \ Q 

FREDERICK KETCHAM, editor of the Mavm County Republican, Havana; was 
born in I. Co., N Y Nov. I. 1809, and was educated at Madison Univer- 

sity, Hamilton, N Y. graduating at that institution in 1836; in 1845, he received the 
\ B. at Columbia CoUeg D C, and, two years later, the degree of A. M 
I idison University, New Fork. He was married, in August, \<\~. I lists 

Griffith, wh<. was born in Otsego Co., N. ST., June 17. 1812. In Oct, her. 1837, he 
was ordained a Baptist minister at Saybrook, Conn., and, three years later, renin-. 
Philadelphia, Penn., where he was engaged in ministerial work eight yean, He lost 
his wile in 1846, and. two year- after, was married to M iss Elizabeth P. Brower, of 
Philadelphia, who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 22, 1821. In duly. 1848, be 
N h Haven. C.nn. as Pastor of the Second Baptist Church; be attended 
ific lectures under Prof Silliman, 8r., and Prof. he removed to Illinois 

in 1860, and made hi- 6rsl home at Rock Island; subsequently labored at Galena, 
Peoria and Pootiac, Hi., bj an accidental Fracture of the left ankle and the general 
shattering of the oervou obliged to retire from pastoral work and 

d in business; he first engaged in nursery and general insurance business, and, 
in 1869, with C B rletcham, his eldest son, established the Delavan Independent, at 
111, of which he remained editor till 1873, when he established the fefasoN 
County Republican, at Havana 111., of whioh C B rletcham was publisher, and F. 

ham, editor. The /,' ... been in existence sii years, and has a 

and increasing circulation. In connection with his editorial work, Mr. K. has taken a 
ictive interest in the Sundaj school work of Mas n Co., and. in 1876, was elected 
Count ry of the Sunday School Association, which position be -till holds. 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 767 

CHARLES G. KREBAUM, grain, commission and live-stock dealer, Havana , 
was born in Havana. Mason Co., Dec. 11, 1837, and is the oldest native inhabitant of 
Mason Co. His father, Barnhard Krebaum, who was born in Germany, came to Amer- 
ica in 1834, and located at Havana July 3 of thai year. When about 17 years of 
aire, the subject of this sketch entered the employ of Walker & Hancock, who were 
doing a very extensive business in general merchandise; he was in the emplov of differ- 
ent firms until 1858, when he received the appointment of Deputy County Clerk of 
Mason Conserving in that capacity till L863; in September of thai year, he engaged 
in merchandising under the firm name of Langford & Krebaum, and. in 1867, bought 
out his partner's interest, and then established the firm of Krebaum & Middelkamp; in 
December of that year, the store was burned, and the brick building, known as ' Etre- 
baum's Iron Front," was erected the following spring; the firm continued in business 
in the new building till January, 1869, when Mr. K. disposed of his interest in the 
stock and embarked in his present business, which he has since followed. He was mar- 
ried, in May, 1861, to Miss Mary E., eldest daughter of William M. and II M. John. 
Mrs. Krebaum was born in Coshocton Co., Ohio. By this union, there were three 
children, two of whom are living — Nina F. and Carlisle M. ; Frances P. died in 
August, 1865. Mr. Krebaum is a member of the following Masonic bodies : Havana 
Lodge, No. 88, and Havana Chapter, No. 86. 

< 1 FORGE KARL, proprietor of the Taylor Souse Saloon. Havana; was born in 
Baden, Germany, May 8, 1S43 ; came to America in 1862, stopping in New York City 
about one year ; then came West to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained a few months, 
and then went to Dayton, Ohio ; in August, 1865, he came to Illinois, Iociting in 
Havana, his present home, where he worked at his trade (stonemason) until 1 S 7 < > : he 
then engaged in his present business, which he has since followed. He was married. 
March 18, 1868, to Miss Caroline Pump, who was born in Hanover, Germany ; they 
have three children — Emma, Lena and John G. Mr. Karl is a member of Prosperity 
Lodge, No. 114. A. (). U. W. 

ADOLPH KREBAUM. retired, Havana; was born in the city of Eschwege, in 
the electorate of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Oct. 10, 1814, and is a -on of Bernhard and 
Frederika (Siebert) Krebaum ; the following are the names of the children of Bern- 
hard and Frederika Krebaum — Frederick (deceased), Adolph, William, Charles 
(deceased), Emilie (deceased), Mary, Herman (deceased), Gustav (deceased), Caroline 
i widow of Dr. A. Burns |, Edward (deceased) and Charles G. (see sketch i ; there were 
fourteen children in all ; three died in infancy, two in Germany, and one in this country; 
the survivors of this family reside in Havana, and of the deceased members all died in 
this city except the two mentioned above; the family emigrated to America in Hi!!. 
and, in June of that year, located in Havana. The subject of this sketch engaged in 
the mercantile business in Havana in 1851, but prior to the above date 1 8 1-7 i was 
elected to the office of County Clerk and served six years : he was again elected to that 
office in 1855, ami served till December, 1865. In 1853, he was married to Miss 
Julia A. Morton, who was born in New Fork ; she died in December of the same year. 
He was married dan 1. 1861, to Sarah E. Field, wh ■ was born in Massachusetts. Mr. 
Krebaum is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Havana Lodge. No. -- 
Havana Chapter, No. 86, and the Commandery at Rushville, 111. 

ROBERT LOFTON deceased . S c. 33; P.O. Havana: was born in Wash- 
ington Co.. Ind.. Dec. Ill, ls:!.">; he came to Illinois in 1856, locating in Havana Town- 
ship in the Bpring of that year. In 1862, he married Miss Louisa M., daughter of 
Stephen Hole; she was born in Washington Co., Ind.; in 1865, thej removed to Liv- 
ingston Co., 111., and. two years later, to Ford Co., returning to Mason Co. in 1875, the 
year of her husband's death: their children are Stephen V.. Charlie M.. Allie L., Eli 
and Freddie. 

ANSON LOW, of the firm of Low & Foster, grain and commission merchants, 
Havana; was born in Havana Township, this county, Oct 14, l v 4ii; his father, 
Bliphaa Low, with two other brothers, settled here in the autumn of 1836. The sub- 
ject of these lines remained on his father's. farm until in years of age, when the family 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

red to Havana; in 1 stj2. he entered the Northwestern University at Evanston 
III., where be remained one year, md then entered the Lombard University, at » ralceburg, 
111., where he pursue! hi- Btndiei till 1865 j in 1866, he engaged in the lumber trade at 
Havana, under the tirm name of Jones \ Low, and, about a war later. Mr. Poster bought 
Jone*' infa r. si . some two years later, the firm was changed to McPadden, Low A I 
and engaged in the l: r;i i n and lumber buaineas; in 1876, the present firm of L 

ibliahed, and their business since that date has been exclusively grain and 
oommisaion. Mr. Low is ■ member of the present Board of Aldermen. Be was 
married, in 1875, fa M \ I. I. n_. wlei was hern near Harrisburg, I'eim ; they 

have one child — Corinne. Mr Low is s member of the following M - 
Bavana Lodgi N 38 Bavana Chapter, No 86, and Damascus Commandery, 
No. 12 

i . EORt I E W LA Nl • FORD, with W. < I. Browning* Co., clothing merchants of New 
\ <>rk ; residence, Havana; was born in Pulton Co., III.. March 17. L831,andisa8onof 

ind N:in\ Nevitt Langford ; the former a native of Tennessee, and the latter of 
Kentucky; be (the elder Langtbrd) removed to [llinois in 1824, and Bettled in Pulton 

md there laid <»ut the old town ,<[' Waterfbrd, subsequently becoming one of the 
proprietors of Lewistown present capital <>f that county . and of Havana this county, 
also connected, in various ways, with the early history of both counti - Greorgi W . 
tin- subject <>f these notes, when about S years of age, came with his father's family to 
Point [sabel, just serosa the river from the present city of Bavana, and about Beveo 
later, located in the latter place; in 1848, he entered the employ of Walker. 
Hancock a. Co., and, in L 856, became a partner in the farm ; this was the principal 
business bouse in Havana at that period, and had a large patronagi — Bales ranging from 
10,000 per annum ; in 1 864, he engaged in general merchandise with C. 
'. Krebaum, under the firm name of Langford A Krebaum, and about three yean 
later went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, and then went to New fork 
City , since 1869, he has been with his present horn \V. ('. Browning & Co., whole- 
sale clothiers, Mr. Langford has served as a member of the Town Board, and Beveral 
terms as a school officer. Be was married, in 1 851, to Miss Bestei \ Allen, by this 
union there were two children— William, living in Havana, and diaries R . who ?oU 
nnteered t<. take the place of telegraph operator at Memphis. Tenn., during the i 
alence of the yellow fever there in 1878, after all the operatives in the office had been 
stricken down with the terrible plague, and fell a victim to it himself, in L878. Mr. 

is married to his present wife, Mrs. Amanda W Blanchard (nee Walker . daugh- 
ter of James Walker, mi .June 22, 1878 . she bad, by her tir-t marriage, three children 
Prank W., Dell and Nellia Mr L is a member of Havana Lode N 38, \ F 
.V A M 

BON LYMAN LACEY, Circuit and Appellate Judge; Bavana; waa born 

in Tompkins Co., N Y . May 9, 1832, and is s son of John and CbJoe Burd I. 

the former a Dative of Nea Jersey, and the latter of New York. In I B36, the family 

emigrated to Michigan, and the following year came t<» Illinois and Battled in Pulton. 

The subject of this Bketch received his . ui 1\ education in the common Bchools of this 

State, and subsequi ntly enfa red [llinois Colli ge, at Jaeksom ille, where he graduated, in 

■ with the degrei ot \ M. Be commenced the study of law the same year, with 

Hon. L. I! Ross, of Lewistown, 111., and was admitted to the bar in 1856. In October 

of that year he located at Havana, where he followed the profession of laa till 1- 

when he a I to the Lower Bouse of the Legislature on the D ic ticket, 

otative of M ison and Menard s., and served one term 11 waa elected in 

June. 1873, Circuit Judge of the Seventeenth District, comprising the counties of 

x ! I, Logai ad Dt Witt In 1877, when the Seventeenth and Eighteenth 

Judicial Circuits \\<r.- consolidated, and designated the Seventh Judicial District, 

embracing, iu addition to the above-named counties Scott and 

n, Judpi I... was appointed by the Supreme Court Appellate Judge of the 

Third or Springfield District, and, in 1879, re-appointed in the Second or 

Ottas l 1 - rouit Judge June 2, l v 7-' Be waa married, 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 769 

May it, 1860, to Caroline A. Potter, of Beardstown, 111., who died Sept. 12, 1863 
Two children by this union, one living — Lyman, Jr. May 1!», 1865, he married 
Mattie A. Warner, of Havana, who was born in Ohio. By this union there were 
six children, four of whom are living — Charles, Frank. Mattie and Edward. 

EDWARD F. LEONARD, teacher, Sec. 22; P. < ). Havana; was born in 
Coshocton Co., Ohio, Dec. 29, 1855, but removed in childhood, with his father's 
family, to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, this county. In the spring of 
1S74, he entered the State Normal University at Bloomington. He commenced 
teaching in 1873, which occupation he has since followed, except when attending 
school. His father, Charles C. Leonard, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 12, 181!.), ami 
came tu Mason Co., 111., in 18G2. His death occurred July 9, 1869. Mrs 
Leonard's lather, Daniel Ott, came to Illinois in 1839. She was born in Bradford 
Co., Penn., and was married to Mr. Leonard April 9, 1842. They had five children, 
four of whom are living — Florence, wife of C. Travelute, who resides in Iowa ; Robert 
II . Hdward F. and Charles C. Eddie F. died Feb. 25, 1854. 

FRANCIS LOW, banker, Havana; was born in Lancaster, Worcester Co., Mass., 
Sept. 28, 1813, and is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Kendall) Low, both of whom 
were natives of Massachusetts. He received his education at the Lancaster and Berlin 
Academics, and when about 18 years of age, removed with his brothers, Thomas and 
Eliphaz, to Louisville, Ky.. where, for a period of two years, they engaged in mercantile 
pursuits. From Louisville, the subject of this sketch went to Cincinnati, where he fol- 
lowed the same business, and also to St. Louis; thence, he came to Havana, where his 
brothers, named above, had preceded him a short time. They built a steam saw-mill 
here, which they afterward sold to Pulaski Scoville. Mr. Low served as Deputy Sheriff 
of Tazewell Co. when this part of Mason was included in Tazewell ; was also elected the 
first Sheriff of Mason after its formation as a county, an office he held for two terms. 
He was connected, at an early day, with the Illinois River Railroad (now the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville), and was one of its Directors. He is President of the Havana & 
San Jose Narrow-Gauge Railroad Company, a company formed for the purpose of build- 
ing a narrow-gauge road from Havana to San Jose, to connect with theRantoul, Havana 
eV. Western Narrow-Gauge. He took an active part in the organization of the Havana 
National Bank, of which he has been President during its entire existence. Mr. Low has 
been married twice. By the first marriage, there were three children, of whom two are 
living — William and Thomas; Frank, the youngest, is dead. He has no children by his 
last marriage. Mr. Low is a man of education, and of fiue literary tastes and attain- 
ments, and his ample means enable him to gratify his inclinations in this direction to his 
entire satisfaction. A personal friend of Lincoln and Trumbull, and the leading men of 
the times, he has entertained them at his elegant home whenever they visited the eity 
of Havana, as business sometimes led them to do. 

SAMUEL A. MltRDOOK, junior editor of the Democrat, Havana; was horn in 
Mt. Holly. N. J., Jan. 1-'. 1848, and is a son of N. K. and Phoebe 15. (Scoti i Murdock. 
In lS.'itl, his father moved to Illinois, and located in Mason Co.. and, after remaining 
some years, returned to New Jersey, where he resided until 1854, when he again 
removed to Bdason Co.. where he still lives. The subject of this sketch has four bro 
living — John S., Charles II DOW in the regular army, and 1st Duty Sergeant of Co. F, 
6th U.S. Infantry, stationed at Ft. Buford, Dakota), James R. and William ML, and 
one dead, Jacob 1> Three Bisters, two living; Sarah C. and Mary lv, living, ami 
Hannah Elmira, dead. Tw > hall-brothers living— Andrew J. and Tho:: as K. Mr. 
Murdock spenl his early life on a farm, until his enlistment in the late war. from which 
he was mustered out in October, 1865. He served in c>. F. 11th III. Caw, of which 
K ti. Inevrsoll was the first Colonel. After his discharge from the army, he worked on 
a farm until February, 1868, when he went to New Jersey, and attended school Bve 
months, then returned to Illinois, iii October, and commenced teaching. He taught 
and went to school alternately, until 1875, when he commenced the study of law with 
Fullerton & Wallace, and remained with them until admitted to the bar, in January, 
1878, before the Supreme Court. In April, 1878, he was elected Assessor of Havana 



770 BIOGRAPHICAL 8 KETCHES 

Township, and, in August L878, in connection with John F Mounts, he bought the 
Havana Democrat, in which he ifl a jcirt n<r. and of which he ia junior <<lit< l r. In 
April, 1879, he was again elected Assessor of the township. I- a member of the Mason 

\ 143, LO.O I ad oi State Encampment, No 34, [. O. 0. P., all 
II I. . No. 743, Knights of Honor. He was married, Sept -'■'.. 1877, to M - 

Minnie Eagles, daughter of T. M and in E - of Indiana. They have 

one daughter, Phceb< 

GEORGE MAGE Dehm & "^ I . i < - k proprietor of Havana Brewery, Havana; 
was born in Wun Germany, April 29, 1845; he came to America in 186-1 

locating at Freeport, III., thence to St Louis, M >., the following y<:ir. In L868, he 
started a brewery at Bdwardsville, 111., where he remained about one year, and then 
returned to St. Louis, En 1873, he went to Keokuk, Iowa, and, two years later, removed 
; Havana, his present home; here he was employed as foreman of the brewery till 1877 
since which date he baa been a member of the above linn ; he was married, in 1 B66, to 
Mrs Ernestine Wirth Franzlaur), who was born in Germany. Six children, the first 
four hy her first marriage -Anna, wife of G. H. Carl; Zelle, Mary, Ella and Ludy; 
ie and George I Willie. Mr. Mark is a member of Havana G 10, 

i 0. A. D 

WILLIAM B MORGAN, proprietor of the Taylor House, Havana. was 
born in Pleming Co., K\ . Dec. 29, 1853, but removed with his parents when about 8 
i Champaign, Champaign Co., 111. In l s 7". he was employed in the 
office of the I Hit .1 S Bxprese Company, and about two years later, as agent of 

the < Sompanj . went on the Havana extension of the 1 .. B. & W. Railway, serving in the 
capacity of messenger on this road, until February, L878, when he located at Havana. 
his present home. He engaged in the hotel business, and on the 24th of May. 1-7' 
became proprietor of the Taylor House. The excellent manner in which he keeps his 
- well-spread table, an I his universal courtesy and kindness to guests, Bhow 
him to be — what he is — a model landlord. He araa married, in Ootober, 1878, to Miss 
Ida Sanford, who was born in Griggpville, Pike Co., Ill Thej hive one child — Maud 
M.. horn Aug. 12, 1-7!'. 

.1 SlCOB T. MOWDER. tamer. See, 33 ; P. <> Havana; wa< born in Lycoming 
< Peni Much lM. 1836, but removed, in early childhood, with his father'- family. 
to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, this county, in May. ls:;:i. where he has since 
resided. He was married, Nov. 25, 1867, to Miss Margaret •> P ad, who was born in 
Menard Co., III.; they have three children — ESmma, Prank and Freddie. Mr Mowder 
has served as Supervisor one term. Commissioner of Highways f;own 

Clerk one term, and School Director several year-; also School Trustee. He owns 
'1~'.\ acres of land in Havana and Crane Creek townshi| tside from 

farming, has followed teaching for the last twelve year-. mosChy during the wint 

ISAAC V MITCHELL, insurance and real eel Havana; was born in Morgan 
i 111., Feb. 13, 1829; is a son of Esaao and Frances (Stribliog) Mitchell, the former 
a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky . his parents removed from Kentuckj 
M rgan Co., III. in l v :>. her.- they resided till 1846; then removed to Fields 
Prairie in this county l \ follow* I farming until about 21 yean of age, com- 
bining with it wolf-hunting, osuallj devoting Saturdays to that amusement; when be 
left the (arm, he entered the employ of \\. \ .1 M Beesley, of Math, from 1850 to 
1861, followed the mercantile trade. He subsequent]) Berved one term as Constable, 
and, for two years, follow iboatiog "ii the Illinois Liver. In I B67, he a 

Treasurer of M I .. and. two years later ag in thai 

eapaeitv four years He was elected Mayor of the city of Havana in 1876; was also 
a member of the School nd with fa s Wheeler and Fo 

erected the present fine sohool edifice. In 1856, he was married to Miss Ann L. 
;■ \V. Campbell; four children by this anion, two of whom are living — 
r; Charles \\'. died May 1. 1872; Thomas V died in 
infancy. Mr Mitchell ia a member of the followii M Havana L N 

Havana Cha] v > - Dan iseus Ootnmandery, No 12. 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 771 

BON. JOHN A. MALLORY. Judge of County Court of Mason, Havana; was 
born in the city of Lexington, Ky., Nov. 17, 1830 : but, when 5 years of age, his par- 
ents removed to Illinois and located in Jacksonville; his father, Ambrose Mallory, who 
was a native of Virginia, was among the early settlers of Jacksonville, and it was in 
this city that the subject of this sketch received his education. At the age of 17, he 
engaged in the printing business, first with the Pike County Free Press, of Griggeville, 
111., and in 1. 848, with the Morgan Journal, Jacksonville, which paper he edited for sis 
months. He was afterward connected with the Eagle and Enquirer, of Memphis, Tenn., 
for one year. A man of fine literary tastes, a poet and an editor, he has given to the 
world of letters many bright gems of more exalted merit than he himself cares to 
admit. He was the successful competitor for a silver cup, valued at $50, offered in the 
city of Memphis, for the best poem on the New Year, in 1860. As a New- Year's poem, 
it is pronounced almost unequaled. He came to Havana in 1858 ; afterward studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1868. On the breaking-out of the late war, though 
a Southern man by birth, he deemed it his duty to unite with the Cnion army ; and, 
accordingly, he enlisted in Co. B, 85th I. V. I., as Second Lieutenant, in which regi- 
ment he served until February, 1863, when he resigned. In 1865, he was elected Police 
Justice to fill a vacancy, and, afterward, elected for a full term. He was elected County 
Judge in 1869, and re-elected in 1873, by the largest majority any officer ever received 
in Mason Co. He was again re-elected in 1877, and still holds the office. His official 
record is without blot or blemish, and his decisions are made according to the law and 
testimony. 

HENRY W. McFADDEN, banking and grain, Havana ; was born in Cayuga 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1826, where he resided until 1848, at which time he came West 
and located at Peoria, 111. In 1849, he was appointed Deputy County Surveyor of 
Peoria Co., and in November, of the same year, elected to that office and served 
four years. He then engaged in farming in Akron Township, that county ; in the 
spring of 1856, he sold his farm and spent the summer traveling in Iowa, Nebraska and 
Kansas in company with J. Moffit, and, in the iall of that year, located at Chillicothe, 
Peoria Co., 111., and engaged in the grain and lumber business under the firm name of 
McFadden & Moffit; in 1863, he engaged in the grain and lumber business at Havana, 
under the firm name of H. \V. McFadden & Co., still continuing his business at Chilli- 
cothe until 1865, being associated therewith various partners; in 18(56, the banking 
firm of McFadden, Coppel & Kemp was established and continued under the above firm 
name until the death of Mr. Kemp in 1867, when the present firm name ( McFadden 
& Coppeli was adopted; in 1868, Mr. McFadden removed to Chicago, where he 
attended to the purchase and sale of lumber and grain for the firm here, and, also, 
during the winter of L869-70, with William J. Dobbins and John E. McClure, built 
the Central City Elevator at Peoria, whieli was the first built in that city ; sine i 1 
Mr. McFadden has made Havana his home. In 1851, he was married to Miss Harriet 
M. Munson, who was born in Monroe Co., N. Y. ; by this union there were live chil- 
dren, four of whom are living — -Bruce II. member of the firm of McFadden & I 
George C, Benjamin L. and Henry L. ; John W. died in 1873. 

RUDOLPH MEYER, tanner, Sec. 18; P.O. Havana; was born in Hanover, 
Germany, Feb. 15, 1841, but removed to America in childhood with his lather's family; 
they came via New Orleans and located in Bath Township, this county, in the fall of 
1>I>: his lather was llarman Meyer and his mother's maiden name was Margaret 
Horstman : both were born in Hanover, (Jonnany. On the 16th of May. 1867, Mr. 
Meyer married Miss Joanna M. Dierker, who was born in Rath Township, tin- county, 
Aug. 1">. 1846; her parents came to the county in the spring of 1 838 ; they were 
natives of Hanover, Germany. Mr. Meyer owns 365 acres of land in Havana Town- 
ship; they have lour children living — Harman II.. John W., August R. and Anna 
M.: John H. did Aug. 26, L878. 

JOSEPH MO WD ER, farmer, See. 15; P. 0. Havana; was born in Columbia 
Co., Penn., July 3, 1808; when about 6 years of age, his father's family removed to 
Harrison Co., but he remained with his grandfather; he removed to Lycoming Co., 



TTl' BIOGRAPHICAL 8KETCHB8 : 

Penn . when about 25 yean of age, and, on the 31st of July, L833, was named t.. 

Miss .Judith Stroup. who was born in Columbia Co., Penn., Dec l. 1*10: by this 
anion there irere ten children, five of whom are living — Jacob T . John, Elisabeth i wife 
of '' ris, who lives in Nemaha Co., Neb . Martha J. wife of John Blakely, 

who resides in Mason Co., 111. ami Charlefi C.; the five deceased are David, Mar 
died in October, L845; Harriet A.. Aug. 2, 1834 ; one died in infancy. Mr. Mowder 
removed to Havana Township, this county, in May. L839, and now residee within one- 
fourtb of a mile of where be first settled ; be Bays his firsi residence was o instructed of 
loge and not encumbeted with either upper or lower floor. Many of the early settlers 
had their bouses bo arranged thai it' they were wealthy enough to own a horse) they 
oould bitch to a log of wood and " haul " it in at one door and pass out with the I 
at the other, thus Becuring their fuel by horse power, tie now owns 240 acres of land 
in Havana Township. 

JOHN H NETELEfi I; was born io Hanover, Germany, in 1801; he 

to America io August, L 832, locating firs! at Baltimore, Md., thence to New 
Orleans, La., the following spring, where be worked at his trade, blacksmithing, - 
two years, and then removed to Illinois, stopping fi>r a shoii time in Menard Co.; in 
the Bpring of 1835, he entered land in what is now Havana Township, Mason Co., and 
returned to New Orleans, where he was married t" Miss Margaret R. Speckmann, also 
a native of Hanover, Germany. In the spring of 1836, Mr. Neteler and wife located 
in Havana Township, which was their home op to the time of their death. Mr. 
Neteler's 'hath occurred Dec. •"■. 1863, his wife having died some four years previous. 
Mr Neteler, after his location in Mason Co., gave his attention for the most part to 
farming, hut for a time worked at his trade, and is frequently mentioned bj the early 
Bettlers in this connection, fully appreciating his services, as mechanics in these early 
days were very rare ; he also assisted Mr. Lincoln in the early surveys of M I 
The following are the children of Mr. ami Mr-. Neteler: Hannah deceased, wife of 
John II. Burning), Henry whose sketch is given below), Mary wife of Henry Vbn- 
liold . Lucy deceased, wife of John Carman . Rebecca deceased . rlatrina deceased 
ami Rebecca. 

HENRY NETELER, fanner. See. 1L'; P.O. Havana; i- a SOU of Jobs II. 

Netehr. whose sketch is given above, and was born in Havana Township Dec 16, Ifi 
he now resides on the old homestead near II ivana and owns a farm of about 300 a 
He was married, <>et 7. 1^7;, to Miss Anna K. I-]. Devermann, who was born in this 
township Oct 10, 1856; they have "tie child—Lucy M. Mr. Neteler has served as 
School Trustee and Highway Commissioner "tie term each. 

JAMES C NEWLIN, Constable, Havana; was born in Scotland July 27, 
and came to the United State- with bis father's family when a bairn hut 1 year old. 
The family located in Butler Co., «Ohio. In 1851, his father same to Illinois, ami died 
in Putnam Co in 1 B5 \ James C., the subject oi this sketob remained in Butlei ' 

Ohio, till 1858; then went to California overland, and remained there until 1864, 

a;cd mostly in mining, but was two years in the employ of Well.-, 
returned to Butler Co , Ohio, and was married, in 1866, to Miss Jane Lesourd, who 
born in Ohio . one child Et - I- a member oi R -■ of Sharon Lodge, No. 77. \ . 
I' \ \ M., in Butlei I Ohio, has been a member about twenty-ti Became 

to Illinois in 1867, and located in Quiver Township, in this county, and engaged in 
farming; removed i n t . > Havana in ;- 

II \IIM<>\ R \<>i;ti;i \\ attorney-at-law, Havana; was born Dear Quaoken- 
bruck, Hanover, Germany, April 6, 1852; be came to America when about 13 j 
of age, and located at Havana, hi- present home, in the fall of 1865; here he followed 
clerking and book-k 1 few years, and. in 1870, was appointed Deputy County 

Clerk, "t M I rving in that capacity for a period of about tin He 

entered the Lincoln (111. 1 University in 1873, and, two years later, went to Cbii 
wht re he remained for a tew months; he then returned to Havana, and read law in the 
cthee of Dearborn A Campbell until the tall id' 1>77. when he entered the law school 
at Albany, N. V. from which be graduated Maj l'I 1878, and was admitted to the bar of 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 773 

that State the same date ; he then returned to Havana and opened a law office, being 
admitted to the bar of Illinois in June, 1878. Mr. Nortrup is a member of Havana 
Lodge, No. 88, A., F. & A. M. He is now City Attorney and Public Administrator of 
Mason Co. 

I'll I LIP OPP, farmer, Sees. !• and 10; P.O.Havana; was born in Lehigh Co., 
Penn., May 3, 181-1, where he resided till about 25 years i it 'age ; then removed to Trumbull 
Co., Ohio. In the fall of 1842, he removed to Illinois, locating in Havana Township, 
Mason Co., where he has since followed farming. In the fall of 1838, he was married 
to Miss Margaret Roberts, who was born in Berks Co., Penn. They have had eight chil- 
dren ; five are now living — John A., Benwell H., Benjamin F., George W. and A 1 mini. 
J. Mr. Opp has resided on his present farm, in Havana Township, over thirty years ; 
he owns 24il acres of land in this township, and 120 acres in Sherman. His parents, 
Conrad and Margaret i Weise) Opp, were born in Lehigh Co., Penn. 

CHARLES PULLING, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Havana; was born in Bucking- 
hamshire, England, Jan. 31, 1827, but emigrated to America when about 3 years 
of age, wilh his father's family ; they located near Philadelphia, Penn., and soon after 
removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio. In March, 1848, they removed to Mason Co.. 111. 
The subject of this sketch worked first at brickmaking, for S. C. Conwell, and in 1849 
engaged in farming on his own account. In 1852, he went to Oregon, where he was 
for about three years engaged in the lumber business ; then returned to this township, 
where he has since resided. He has served as School Director nine years ; owns 340 
acres of land in Havana Township. Was married, in April, 1849, to Miss Eliza Leaf, 
who was born in England ; she died in 1850. By this union, there were two children 
twins), Adaline and Caroline, born Jan. 18, 1850, the former, deceased, wife of Charles 
Waterworth. Mr. Pulling was married to Louisa A. Samms, Dec. 2, 1855 ; she was 
born in Greene Co., 111. Nine children by this union, three of whom are living — 
Jonathan, born Nov. 30, 1858; Clark, Feb. 2d. 1862 ; Evelina, July 23, 1868. The 
following are the deceased — Charles, born Dec. 30, 1800; Thomas, Dec. 21, 1865; 
Jacob, Sept. 15. 1866; Junetta, Oct. 17, 1871 ; Ann. Aug. 31, 1873; Sarah J., Oct. 
111. 1875 ; Josephine, April 5, 1877. 

ISAAC P. PRETTYMAN, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Havana; was born in Cum- 
berland Co., N. J., Jan. 14, 1822 ; when about 16 years of age, his father's family 
removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where he learned the cooper's trade. His father, Isaac 
Prettyman, served in the war of 1812 ; he was born in the State of Delaware, and his 
mother, Mary i Jones ) Prettyman, was born in Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1856, 
Isaac Prettyman removed to Illinois, and located on the farm where he now resides, and 
has since that date been a tiller of the soil. He has served as School Director and 
School Trustee, several years. In 1870, he was married to Miss Minerva Beck with, who 
was born in Mason Co., 111. Five children by this union — Perry, Venus. Emetine, 
Henry and Phil S. Mr. Prettyman owns 301 acres of land in Havana Town-hip. 

JOHN W. PITMAN, attorney at law, Havana; was born in Madison Co., 
Ky., Dec. 11, 1832, where he remained until the fall of 1842, when his father 
removed to Illinois, locating near Canton, Fulton Co., and engaged in farming. 
The subject of this sketch worked on the farm until 1852, attending the common 
schools during the winter. Entered Lombard University, at Galesburg, in the fall of 
1852, remaining until 1856, teaching during a portion of vacations. In the Bpring of 
1>.">7, commenced the study of law with Judge Gr. C. Lanphere, of Galesburg. He un- 
admitted tn the bar in the fall of 1859, and commenced practice in Galesburg. Went 

into the army BS Adjutant of I02d I. V. I., in 1862. In 1863. came to Havana, and 
has practiced his profession here ever since. He was married, in I860, to Miss Nancy 
A. Haley, who was born at Monmouth, Warren Co., 111.: she died in August. 1870. 
Three children, two of whom are living — Park W., Paul B.; former graduated at 
Havana High School. May L. died in 1870. Second [marriage took place Oct. 2, 1878, 
to Amanda K. Allen, who was bom in Shelbyville. Ind. 

JOSEPH I). PAUL, physician and surgeon, Havana; was born in Solon, 
Me, April 3d, 1823, but removed, when about 10 year.- of age, to Waldo Co., ami 



774 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

inentlv to Penobsc •■ He n ■•• ived 1 * i — edaeation at the Foxcrofi Academy, and 

for several years followed teaching in different localities, havii of eel Is :tt 

Houlton, Calais and Bangor, Me. In 1851, on account of failing health, he came West 
and located :it Peoria, 111., where he resumed his vocation, Berving a< Principal of the 
l'< >u rf li Ward School i'rmn tin- above date till 1855, daring which period his spare time 
given t" the Btudy of medicim II ime to Havana, his present home, in the fall 
of 1855, and took charge of the public schools. In February, 1857, he graduated at 
Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and commenced the practice of medicine at Havana. 
where he has linoe followed the practice of his profession a period of twenty-two j 
Ilf was married, in 1848, t" Lavina { '<. Laughton, who was born in Harmony, Son 
I'n. Me., March IT. 1^_'7. They have three children —Edward, who La a L r radu;.- 
ilir Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, III. ; Charles A. and Catharine C. In I 
In' was appointed, by '> »v Y ■•■ - United St liner for Recruits He La a iuem- 

ber 'it' thi' Brainard District Medical Society; also a member of the following Masonic 
bodies Havana Lodgi N 38, and Havana Chapter, No. B6. In Doctor I'aul 
ire see exemplified the truth of the Baying, ■• Tin- will i- father to the way." 
Privileges of schooling in the backwoods of Maine were not great, therefore 
be sought abroad what could sot In- readily obtained at home; carving, so to speak, 
ma ill' tin- solid ruck, with his own pick, and pen, his own way in tin- world, ever bear- 
ing in mind tin- tact that '• Ho who would thrive himself must cither hold or drive 
Hence hi- success in hi- chosen profession. 

JESSE P. PIPKIN, of the firm of Pipkin & Cunningham, manuf 
farm and spring wagons, Havana . was born in Jackson Co., Teon., March 18 
1 -fin. hut in early childhood cam' i<. Illinois with his father's family and located at 
llr im II foil. cvid farming until about 1!' years iif age. when he learned the hlack- 
-mith trade, and, in 1-7 1. commenced business under the above firm name H,. wa- 

1 All. rm in of the First Ward in the spring of 1879. In June, 1878, he was 
married to Miss Mary Liecesch, who was born in Germany. The firm of which Mr. 

I'. i- a member manufactures farm and light wagons, and plows, hut their -].ecialty i- 

the manufacture of farm wagons. All their work i> warranted thoroughly first-class 
GEORGE W. PARKINS, physician and surgeon, Havana, was born in 
ibrierCo., W. Va., Dec. 20, 1821; where he resided until about 1' when 

he removed to Champaign Co., Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine in 1 - 1 1. 
and the practice of the same in 1849. He removed to Illinois in 1850, and located 
in Schuyler Co.. where hi- father's family had settled in 1840. Here In- eng 
in the practice of medicine in partnership with Dr. McMurphy. He was married, in 
i M 9. Ross Bell Maxwell Stevenson .a native of Kentucky. He removed 
to II .li in 1853, tic ;..ar of hi- marriage, and ha- practiced hi- profession here 
-a period of twenty six years He h B G.,s graduate of 

the Chicago University. Dr. Parkins is a member of M - Lodg No 143,1.0 I 

JACOB PRETTYMAN, Justice of the P II ras born in Salem 

\ .1 March 23, 1824; son of [saac and Mar. Jones Prettyman; his fathei 
horn in Delaware, and served in the war of 1812, and in the Black Hawk war: the sub- 
tch, when about 21 yean of ag 1 to Philadelphia, where he 

resided seven years, then to hia birthplace, and in November, 1857, came West ami 
located in II n ma Township, where he followed farming until 1864, when he located in 

I lav ma. and engaged in the manufacture of I is and 

up thi- line of trade, and embarked in the grocery b in 1864, he was el 

Justice "f the Peace, and. although engaged in other business, h i- held the office - 
and, durin L 870 and 1871, he served, also, as Police M .. jtrate, but resigned the lat- 
ter office in 1871. He was married, in 1845, to Mi— Hannah A. Mullen, who 
horn in Glouo I N J . April 25, 1 826 ; eleven children by thi- union, nin 

whom are living —Jacob H.. who served in Co K 35th 1 V I and was with l 

Sherman in hi- much to the sea, and DOW resides in Peoria; William M. and <i 

W twins the former residing in Sherman Township, and the latter in Poi I 

I'. residing in Havana; [da V.. Klwood, Syi is and Charles P.; last 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 775 

three and Ida at home; Elwood resides at Peoria; two deceased — Edward M., born 
Nov. 6, 1852, and died March 13, 1873; Henry, born Jan. 14, 1862, and died Feb. 
4, 1863. Mr. Prettyman is a member of Havana Lodge, No. 88, A., V. & A. M. 

JAMES QUICK, fanner, See. 36 ; P. O. Topeka; was born in Somerset Co.. 
X. J., July 14, 1820, where he resided until bis removal to Illinois in 1841; arriving 
at Jacksonville in June of that year, and tbe following spring locating in Havana Town- 
ship, tins county, where be has since resided ; he lias served as School Director about 
fourteen years. He was married, Jan. 7, 1847, to Miss Julia A. Simmons, who was 
born in Mason Co., Ky.; her father, Pollard Simmons, and Jobn Hitter were both from 
Mason Co., Ky., and perhaps for the sake of its familiar and homelike sound, selected 
the name which was adopted for this county; the following are the children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Quick: Richard R., George W., William T., Harriet, Liny, Emma and .1. 
Thomas; they have lost three — Lucretia, John and Cbarles. Mr. Quick lias resided 
on his present farm since 1847; he owns 207 acres of farm land, and 40 acres of 
timber. 

GEN. JAMES M. RUGGLES, retired, Havana; was born in Mansfield. 
Richland Co., Ohio, March 7, 1818, and in 1837 came to Illinois; at the age of l.">. he 
engaged in the printing business, which vocation be followed some years after locating 
in this State; in 1840, he settled in the town of Bath, tben the seat of Justice of 
Mason Co.; although he had studied law and been admitted to tbe bar, he laid it aside 
and eugaged actively in merchandising; all through the sanguinary war, between 
Havana and Bath, on the county seat question, Mr. Ruggles fought the battle for Bath 
against overwhelming odds ; in 1852, he was elected to the State Senate fur the district, 
composed of the counties of Sangamon, Menard and Mason, where he served four years 
with distinction. Mr* Lincoln was a member of the Lower House at the time, and was 
a candidate for the United States Senate against Lyman Trumbull ; he solicited the 
support of Mr. Ruggles, which was given with the utmost zeal and cordiality — BO much 
so. that he was carried to the Senate Chamber upon a sickJ>ed, to cast his vote for Mr. 
Lincoln ; he was ever a warm friend and ardent admirer of the martyred President, 
and was a delegate to the Chicago Convention in 1800; about 1850, Mr. Rug 
began the agitation of an Illinois River railroad, and during bis term as Senator pre- 
pared a charter, which, mainly through his influence, passed both Houses; he was one 
of its corporators, and from the first inception of the enterprise, until the road was 
completed, took an active interest in it. working faithfully, till the requisite amount of' 
stock was subscribed, to insure its success; alone and unaided, he drafted the first plat- 
form on which the Republican party in Illinois was founded; he, together with Mr. 
Lincoln and Ebenezer Peck, were appointed a committee for that purpose, during the 
LOU of the Legislature in February, 1850, but the other two being otherwise 
engaged, the work devolved on Mr. Ruggles; at the Convention, the Bame year, be was 
his party's candidate for Lieutenant Governor, but declined in favor of a German can- 
didate. At the beginning of the late war, he entered the army, and was appointed 
Lieutenant and Quartermaster by Gov. Yates, in the 1st I. V ('.. and was Benl to Mis- 
souri, but. dissatisfied with the inactivity of bis position, at bis earnest solicitation, lie 
was sent to the front, by order of ( ren. Grant, and promoted to Major in the 3d I. V. < . 
in which regiment lie served, until mustered out in 1864; at Pea Ridge be was | 
moted to Lieutenant Colonel, and for a time commanded the regiment ; ai the close of 
the war, he was breveted Brigadier General fur meritorious service-; after the war, be 
served a time as Master in Chancery, but has never been afflicted with the mania for 
office. In all the various positions held by Gen. Ruggles, his official duties have been 
performed with unswerving fidelity; a scholar, and a man of tine literary tastes, he 
enjoys, and IS sought by the best class of society ; he wields an able pen. but has never 
been forced to the necessity of using it for a livelihood; his latest, and perhaps his best 
literary effort, is the writing of the general history of this work, which is done in the 
most thorough manner. The reputation he achieved in his younger days, as the editor 
of a country paper in Scott Co., made him the candidate of the Whig party for State 
printer in the Legislature of 1844; in all the early enterprises to improve the country 



• 7''. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

by the estiblishmenl of wagon roads and building of railroads, G in Ruggles baa 1 d 

active an 1 energetic ; he was the author of the first drainage law in Illinois, gotten up 
for the purpose of draining the lands ia Havana and Bath Townships, which Ian 
extensively copied into other local laws, for the same purpose. G in. Ruggles com 
do ignoble stock. Brigadier Timothy Rusgl - Pi sident of the first Congress that met 

i. in 1765, in the city of New Fork, and one of the m at n ited men in v 
England before the Resolution, was a brother of hia grandfather. John Rugj 
another branch of the family, was three tim I to the On - • from 

the State of Blaine, and Benjamin Ruggles was the first Unit 3 9 ir elected 

from Ohio in 1818, in which body he served for eighteen yean Judge S 

the father of G I to the 9 - ite from Ogle and Win 

nebago Cos. in I Mi', rod was t man of note for his integritj and ability in Ohio, 
as well as in [Hi 

JOHM RO AT, farmer, Sec. 10; I' Havana; was born in New Jersey March 
7. 1609, hut r moved, when about 7 yen- of age, with hi- father's family, to Warren 

Ohio, residing in thi- and Clermont Co.. until hi- rem val to [Uinois, in the tall of 
1851, locating in Havana Township, thi- county, in the tail of that yeai ; hi- pi 
residence is located within three-quarters of a mile of where he tii-t settled. In I 
he was married t" Miss Sophie Schuyler, vim was born in Warren I N J., Jan 1. 
1811 ; eight children 1>\ this union, six of whom are living — Anna, wife of Joel Crater. 
born Aj.ril 27, 183 x ! widow of l» Atfa 

John W. Aug. 9,1841; Christina Aug. 24,1845; Q i vV M Jan. 1, 
1850. The names of the deceased are Elsie C, born March 31, 1837, died in Feb- 
ruary, 1868, and William, who enlisted in Co. L, 11th 111. Cav., Dee 7. [861 —died 
while iii the service, at Bolivar Aug. ■'!". 1862; he was born Sep! 22, Ifi 

JOHN W. RHODES, agricultural implements, Havana The subject of them 
lines was born in Dearborn Co., End., Nov. 7. 1841, where he remained until July, 
1854, when he removed to [Uinois, ami Bettled in Whiteside <'" In April. 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. B, 13th I. V. I . ami served until the close of the war. a period of four 

- and eleven months. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May, I - **:!; in 

fall of same year, was promote. | to First Lieutenant, and to Captain in the early part of 

1864. II'- participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Jackson, ^'> 

of Vicksburg, Atlanta. Lookout Mountain, and was with Sherman on his march 
t" the • kfter the war ended, he remained one year in Louisiana, and engaged in 

the cultivation of cotton, alter which he returned to Whiteside Co. In 1 •*('>:». he came 
to Mai 1 1 Co., where he has since been actively engaged in farming ami merchandising 
II .1- married, in 1869, to Mi-- Cyrene 11. Hancock, who was horn in Havana, her 
father having Bettled her- as early a- 1842, when buildings of any kind were scarce — 
their dwelling being used for a court-room at an early session of M ison County Court. 
They have three children— Walter 11.. Lizzie ami Ruth. Mr. R. 1- a m mber of 

Havana Lode. \ -- \ I ,\ \ \| 

MRS ANN M ROBERTS farmin - 1' «• Havana, was born in 

Montreal, Canada, Oct -■>. l-i".»; when about 15 she went I N ■■■ Vork 

and, in 1845, was married to Edward A Schermerhorn, who was horn in New York 
City. Hi- death occurred dune [6, l v .">.>. They had four children — Edward A.. 
resides in Havana II . has charge of the faun: Kate M., the wife of Charles 

G. Howell, resides in Nebraska; John W. resides ii After the death ol her 

husband, Mrs. Roberts removed to Illinois, locating in Havana in 1858. In 1861, sh< 
« 1- married so Daniel M Roberts, who was born in Peon., Sept 5, I 

be settled in M I In 1842. Mr. Roberts died Dec 2, 1873. Th^only child by 
thi- union was Harriet \ whose death occurred Aug. 1. 1864. Mrs R b rts owns 
172 acres of land in Havana Township. 

LEONARD 8CH WEN K, Circuit Clerk, M C Havana was born in Wur 

temb nany, July23, 1832; came to this country in 1854, locating at Pottsville, 

ScHuylkil > P an., where he resided till his removal to Illinois, [n 1864, he removed 

M I III., ami located in Manito Township, wher ed in farming. In 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 777 

tlic fall of 1872, Mr. Schwenk was elected to his present office and removed his family 
to Havana; he was re-elected in 187b. While a resident of Manito Township, he served 
as Collector three years, and School Director four years. In 1856, he married Misfi 
Rebecca Singley, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio; they have eighl children — Annie 
E. wife of Frank Sedlatzeck; John L., George D. Mary E., William II.. Panlina M . 
Catharine Louisa and Sarah II. Mr. Schwenk still owns a farm of 320 acres of land 
in Manito Township. 

MARTIN SCOTT, farmer, Sec. 2*4; Havana; was horn in Railway, Union Co.. 
N. .1.. June 10, 1814, where he resided till his removal to Illinois. In the fall of 1 - 
his fathers family came to Illinois; their first location was at Beardstown, on the 3d of 
December of that year, and the following February, they located in Crane Creek Town- 
ship, this county; they removed to Havana Township in January. 1839, locating on 
the farm where Mr. Scott and his brother now reside. His father, Aaron Scott. 
born in New Jersey, Jan. 22, 17SG; his death occurred April 1, lsiT. His mother, 
Mary (Evens) Scott, was born in New Jersey, Dec. 25, 1787, died Aug. 30, l 
Mr. Scott has served as Assessor six years and Commissioner of Highways three years 
He learned the blacksmith's trade when about 16 years of age, and worked in the shops 
of the Camden & Amboj Railroad, from 1834 to 1837. From 1842 to 1847, he 
worked at his trade in this county, since which he has followed farming. Owns 160 
acres of land in Havana, and 200 acres in Sherman Township. 

THEODORE STEPHENSON, of the firm of Stephenson & Wahlfeld, groceries 
and provisions, Havana ; was born in Denmark Jan. li, 1834 ; came to the United States 
in the summer of 1867, landing in New York City July 4th, and the following year removed 
to Mason Co., 111., where he engaged in farming, which occupation he followed about 
one year; he then entered the store of John H. Bruning as clerk. In 1871, he com- 
menced business at Bishop Station on his own account, and, some four years later, sold 
out and visited the place of his nativity. On his return, in 187"). he engaged in business 
under the present firm name. He was married, in 1879. to Mis. Margaret Bodecker 
Deverman), who was born in Germany. She has two children by her first husband — 
Emma, wife of B. Zelle, and Otto. Mr. Stephenson is a member of Havana Grove, 
No. 40, U. A. 0. D., and also of the Mutual Aid Society. 

NICHOLAS SIEBENALER, tobacconist, Havana ; was born in the Province ol 
Luxemburg July 22, 1834, and emigrated to this country in 1848, with his father's 
family, locating at St. Louis, Mo., and had come from the old country via New Orleans 
In Is.").";, he went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, reaching the Pacific 
Slope on the Ldtfa of May, and engaged in trade at McCulma Hill mines. He returned 
to St. Louis in 1858, and worked at his trade of tobacconist. In the spring of 1859, 
he came to Havana, and commenced the manufacture of cigars. He was elected City 
Treasurer in 1877, and served two year-. He was married. Nov. 22, I860, to Miss 
Sarah E. Graham, who was born in Scotland Nov. 12, 1844. The result of this mar- 
riage is five children — Katie I., William. Lucy, Albert and Grade. He is a member of 
Mason Lodge, No. 1 13, I. O. 0. P., and Encampment, also of Havana Lodge No. 88, 
A., F. & A. M.. Havana Chapter. No. 86, Royal Arch Masons, and Damascus Cnm- 
mandery, No. 12, Knights Templar, and Havana Grove, No. 10, Q. A. 0. D 

C STEVENS, dentist. Havana ; was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. March 7. 1834. 
When about l!> years of age, he came West, and located at l'eoria. 111., where he resided 
until his removal to Havana, in the fall of 1868, with the exception of an interval of 
about three years. He c immenced the study of dentistry in 1858, a profession he has 
since followed. In 1855, he was married to Miss Kate Stevison, who was born in Mt. 

Vernon, Ohio. The result of thi< union is four children —.May. wife of Charles Con- 
nelly ; Frank E.. Kate and Gracie I!. He is a member of A. 0. 0. W. 

JACOB V. STRICKLE, dealer in dry goods, Havana; was born in Wilmington, 
Clinton Co., Ohio. Feb. 2. HI"), where he resided till bis removal to Bloomington, 
McLean Co.. in 1867 : there 1 e was engaged in mercantile pursuits for about six yean, 
then removed to Chicago, 111., and, about two years later, located at Havana, his present 
home. In December, 1878, he was married to Miss Angie Biggs, who was bom in 



778 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Clinton Co., Ohio. Mr. Strickle has ;i fine rtock, and full assortment of staple and I 
. Irv goods, hats, caps, boots and sh intly on band. 

CHARLES 8TUART, farmer, 8ec. \. P. 0. Havana; was burn in Havana 
Township, Mason Co., 111.. .Jan. 19, 1848; bis father, Alexander Stuart. n\' Havana. 

in- of the earlier Bottlers of Mason Co., locating here in 1837. CharL 
married. Nov. 29, 1867, to Miss Matilda Rose, who was born in Buffalo, N. V.; they 
have two children — Walter and Jei 

CHARLES BCflILL, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc II. -.ana. was born in 
Baden, Germany, Nov. 30, 1838. II America in 1854, locating first in 

Fork City, and two years later came West and located at Havana, his present home. 
In 1 B62, he commenced in bin present business, having partially learned the tinner's 
trade in his native country, and completed it in New Fork. Mr. S. i- a member of the 
following Masonic bodies: Havana Lodge, No. " v . Havana Chapter, No. 36, and Damas- 
> ii- ( lommandery, No, 12. 

AUGUST SCHILL, firm of A. & W. Schill, meal market, Havana, was 
born in Baden, Germany, May 30, 1830, and came to America in 1861, locating in 
N. u Fork City, where be engaged in the business be dow follows, and which he learned 
win n but 1" years of age; be lefl home at the age of I s -. traveled through 
Switzerland, France and Southern Germany, being employed in different places. In 
1857, removed Ir.'in New Fork to Peoria, and with others established the City Market, 
at corner of Pulton and Madison Btreets. In 1 B60, he came to Havana and engaged in 
his present business. He was ■ member of the first Board of Aldermen after Havana 
was organised as a city. He was married dan. I. 1861, to Miss Bertha Binder, who 
was born in Baden, Germany. They have six children — Emma, August, William, 
Charles M. [da and Bertha. He is a member of Havana Grove No. M), I . A D 

ROBERT M. 8CANLAND, dentist, Havana; was born 'in PittsfieW, Pike 
Co., til., Oct. 16, 1853. Sis grandfather, William Watson, was one of the first settlers 
ofthat county. In l^Ti'. the Doctor commenced the study of dentistry with Dr A B. 

. . n\' Pittsfield, III., and two year- later removed to Havana, bis present home. 1 1 ■ 
was married, in 1878, to Miss Virginia R. Woollen, who was bora in Franklin, [nd. 
They have one child, William W. 

HENRF II. SHERMEYER, saddle and harness manufacturer, Havana. 
was bora in Hanover, Germany, Jan. 25, 1826; he came to America about 1846, 
locating first at Fork, Penn., where he learned the harness-maker's trade ; after a residence 
here of some five years, he worked at his trade in Cincinnati, Johnstown and Ports- 
mouth, Ohio, and in Maysville, Ky. In 1853, he came to Danville, III. then 
Bloomington, and from there to Petersburg. Since the ltd of July, 1855, be has been 
a n di lei it of the city of Havana Has served one year as member of the Town Board. 
He was married, in 1859, to Miss Elisabeth M. Wilson, who was bora in Pennsylvania. 
Tie \ have had sis children, four living — Eddie, Fannie, Freddie and Myrtie L.; the 
nun-- of the deceased are Allieand William. 

.1 \MI.S P SMITH, baggage and transfer expri - II ina; was born in Pulton 
I III.. April 22, 1844; Id- father, Jacob L Smith, who dow resides in T 
born near rlnoxville, Tenn., and settled in Fulton Co., this State, a- early a- 1834 
The subject of these lines followed farming till l>7i. when he removed to Havana and 

_.-l in his present business II- was married, in 1865, to M — Mary R W 
who was horn in Fulton <'".. III., they have one child living Clement V. Mr Smith 
is a membei of th< A. O. 1 W His wife- parents were also early settlers of Fulton 
Co . having Bettled there in about i - 

JOHN W. BARFF, farmer and hedge-grower S 6 P Havana; was born 
in Dnion City, Randolph Co., [nd., March 26, 1844; he came t" Dlinois in I860 with 
bis father's family and located at Snicarte, Lynchburg Township, Mason <""., in the 
spring of 1865, he came to Havana Township, and was employed bj A. P. Glenn, then 

ed in hedge growing; in 1869 Mi Sarff oommenoed in the aame business on bis 
own account, wnion he has since followed together with farming; he has now about 
forty acres in hedge plants He was married, Nov •">. 1865, b N l Sarah Hill, who 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 779 

was bom in Sussex, England ; they have three children — Lawn-nee, Ella and Harry. 
Mr. Sarff owns about :*»»►(► acres of land in Lynchburg Township, this county, where 
his parents now reside. His father. Jacob C., was born in Pennsylvania, and his 
mother, Sarah | Russell I Sarff, is also a native of the same State. 

REV. GEORGE SEIBEBT, Pastor of the Reformed Church in America; residence, 
Havana; was born in Frankinfeldt Laudkeright, New Stadt Auderich, Germany, Jan. 
24, 1839, and is a son of John and Barbara (Hefler) Seibert; in early childhood, he 
came to America with bis father's family, locating in Hudson Co., N. J.; in 1858, he 
entered Rutger's College I Grammar Department) at New Brunswick. N. J., and, a year 
later, commenced the college course, which he continued for two years, and then enlisted in 
Co. G, 1st N. J. V. I.. May 28, 1861 ; he participated in the first battle at Bull Hun and 
the battle of the Wilderness; on the 15th of January, 1803, he was discharged from tin- 
service by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability. Mr. Seibert spent his spare time 
after entering the army in study, completing the college course, and, in June, 1862, 
graduated, receiving the A. B. and A. M. degrees; in the fall of 1864, he entered the 
Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, graduating at that institution in the summer 
of 1806, and was ordained and licensed to preach by the Classis of Monmouth, N. J., Aug. 
12, of the same year ; he was installed by them at the same time Pastor of the 
Reformed Church of Middletown, N. J., and served in that capacity till March. 1873, 
when he accepted the appointment by the Board of Domestic Missions to occupy the 
field at Havana, 111., and commenced his labors there April 1, 1873. He was married 
June 20, 1800, to Miss Mary F. Gurnew, who was born in New York City dan. 30, 
1841 ; they have five children — George G., Edward T., Henry P., Frank A. and their 
adopted daughter, Jennie. Mr. Seibert is a charter member of the Grand Lodge of 
Illinois K. of II.. also Grand Chaplain of the same. 

PETER SPECKMANN, fanner, Sec. 23; P. O. Havana ; was born in Havana 
Township, this county, March 14, 1838 ; his father. Frederick Speckmann, who was 
born in Hanover, Germany, came to America in 1835, and settled in Mason Co. in the 
fall of 1830; he died Nov. 11 . 1854; his mother, Ann M. I Netler) Speckmann, was 
born in Hanover, Germany; settled here May 5, 1837 ; her death occurred Aug. 11. 
1875. The subject of this sketch was married, Oct. 3, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Ermel- 
ing, who was born in Bath Township, this county, Nov. 28, 1847 ; they have had eight 
children, four living, Anna — bom Oct. 3, 1807 ; Amelia, March 9,1869; Frederick, 
Dec. 31, 1870, and Eda, Sept. 10, 1878. Mr. Speckmann has served as Commissioner 
of Highways two years and School Director several terms. Be owns 340 acres of farm 
lands and 1 15 acres of timber in Havana Township. 

FREDERICK SPECKMANN. farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Havana; was born in 
Havana Township, this county, Nov. 13, 1845 ; his father, Frederick Speckmann. who 
was born in Hanover, Germany, came to this country in 1835, and settled in Mason Co. 
in the fall of 1830; his death occurred Nov. L'7. 1854; his mother. Ann M. (Netler) 
Speckmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, came to America in May. 1837 ; she 
died Aug. 22, 1875. On the 15th of July. 1*77. Mr. Speckmann was married to Miss 
Auna M. M. Strodtmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany. Dec. 18, 1857; their 
only child died in infancy. Mr. Speckmann owns 300 acres of land in Havana Town- 
ship. 

WILLIAM SPECKMANN, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Havana; was burn in 
Havana Township, this county. March 14, 1838; his father, Frederick Speckmann, 
who was a native of Hanover, Germany, came to America in 1835, and settled in Mason 
Co. in the fall of 1836; his death occurred Nov. ^7, 1854; his mother, Ann ML N 
ler i Speckmann, was born in Hanover, Germany; settled in Mason Co. in May, 1" 
she died Aug. 22, 1875. In 1^74, Mr. Speckmann visited the birthplace of hi> 
parents, and, in 1877, male bis second journey to that country. He owns 380 acres ol 
land in Havana Township, this county. 

HAKMAN TEGEDES (deceased), Sec. 28; was born in Hanover. Germany, 
Aug. 8, 1821, and came to America in 1844; he came by way of New Orleans 
and located in Havana Township, this county, the same year. In 1852, he was 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

married to Miss Mary Ku>t, who was born in Hanover, Germany, July 14, 1 - 
Bbe oame t<> this country, with bet father's family, in 185Q, via New Orleans, and 
tied in Havana Township; by this anion there are eight children — Mary A.., wife of 
Henry Riep ; M __ C Henrj J knoa M.. Barman 'i. August J.. Louis II and 
Hannah. The death of Mr occurred May 17. 1875 since which hi- widow 

had tin' management of the farm consisting of 220 acres of land. 
I'KI'KK L THORNBURG, fanner, Sec. 34; P.O.Havana; was born in liar 
per's Ferrj M I Sept 19, 1818, bat removed to Fairfield Co., Ohio, when about in 
years of age, with his father's family; the Bubjeot of this sketch oame West in the 
fall of 1837, and, after stopping at Havana, this county, about four months, returni 
Ohio. In November, 1840, he came, with his brother Eli, and located in Pulton Co . and 
about two years later removed to Havana, where Mr. Thornburg engaged in blacksmithing, 
.in I established the first permanent blacksmith shop in Havana, in 1850, be removed 
to the farm where he dow resides, and, until about fifteen yean ago, worked at bis trade, 
and has since followed farming. In 1868, Mr. Thornburg lai<l out the town of I' 
ville. Ilf was married, Sept. 26, l-l.;.t.> Mi-- Leah, daughter of James Milleson; Bhe 
was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Dot. 7. I s _ s ; by this anion there were fourteen 
children four of whom are living — John M.. Mary J., wife of Edward Eddy, who 
resides in K*i 8. and Alien ('. The deceased arc — Boanerges, died Dec. 12, 

1845; James L., Sept. 22, 1848; Dfahlon A.. Feb. 7. 1852; Jonathan K .July 22 
1854; Malvina, Sept 1. 1864; Livingston P., Sept 12, 1869; Virginia L., Dec. 16, 
1870; Marihe E., March 7. 1872; and Emily A., July 2., 1-77. His father, Jam 
and his mother, Eve Coon Thornburg, were both natives of Virginia. Mrs. Thorn- 
burg's father, James Milleson, was born in Pennsylvania Sept 17. 1788, and died in 
Fulton <"".. 111.. Jan. 29, 1879. Her mother, Dorothy Knight Milleson, was born in 
Pennsylvania May 8, 1791, and died in KObounie Township, this county, Maj 17. 

ORLANDO B. THORP, dealer in hardware, guns, pistols, etc., Havana. 
born at Canton, Fulton Co., 111.. Feb. 27, 1850, where be resided until his removal to 
II . hi. i. in the winter of 1872. Here he lir-t opened a gun-shop, the same year, and 
in 1-7- engaged in bis present business. He married Miss Kate A. Wagoner in 1875 
who was Ix'rn in Mason Co., III. They have one child — Edith N. Mr. T. is a mem 
ber of Havana Lodg No. 88 \ . F. & A M. At Mr. Thorp's establishment will be 
founl a g I assortment of sporting goods -jm-. pistols, fishing tackle and amunition 

i>\' all kiinK 

JOHN II TATLOR, Sb., olothing an famishing goods Havana; 

was born in Washington Co., Penn . June 9, 1840, where he resided uutil 1855, when, 
with Ins father's family, became West and located in Havana, his present borne. For 
ral years he followed farming, and, in 1862, went to Colorado and entered the 
employ of Benj. Holliday, who afterward sold the express line to Wells, Fargo A I 
ami Mr. Taylor ale nl for the latter. He subsequently engaged in the 

live-stock business < >n his return to Havana, in 1866, he purchased the Taylor 
House ami e nih. irk. ■< I iu the hotel • rnd, in 1870, engaged in the grocery business, 

which ho followed until 1-7 1 In 1-77. he engaged in bis present business. Mr T 
rved two yearn as member of the Town Board. Married, in 1866, Mi-s Lou 

as, who was born in Beardstown, III. Her deatl urred in 1872. By this 

nnion there were three children Maud, William S and Henry J. In 1873, he was 
married to his present wife. Miss [da B Riggins, who was l> »rn in this city. They 
have two children living — Lula B ind John II. Jr. Ralph died May 16,1875. Mr 
i is a member of Prosperity I. \ I i \ »» I W. 

HARMAN l THMILLER, farm r - o. 9; 1' Ha ana; was born in Prussia, 
April _'."», 1808 He i one to this i mntry in 1850 ria New Orleans , arriving at 
Beardstown, III., in November of that year, [o the spring of 1852, be came to 
II i:ia Township, where he has sinoe resided. He was married, in September, I - 
to Anna Jan. Hulk, who was born in Prussia in kugust, 1810 Six children by this 
union — Frederick W Mary, wife of Simon Brinkman; Elisabeth, wife of I 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 781 

Dehm. They have lost three children — Henry and Frederick; also one thai died in 

infancy. 

HENRY VALENTINE, farmer and hedge-grower ; P.O. Havana: was born in 

Monmouth Co., N. J., Sept. 8, 1X12, where he resided till his nmoval to Illinois, in 
1 854, locating in Havana Township, this county, in December of thai year. He was 
■first employed in the saw-mill of Webb BroB., where he had the misfi rtune to 
lose his left hand. He was married, Feb. 19, 1854, to Miss Hannah Chamberlain, who 
was born in Monmouth Co.. N. J. Mr. Valentine owns eighty acres of farm land in 
Havana Township, and 1_!<! acres of timber in Fulton Co. 111. Aside from farming, he 
is also engaged in hedge-growing, having on hand Prom four to live million hedge plants. 

MILL1IOY VANLANINGHAM, livery and feed-stable, Havana. The above- 
named gentleman was burn in Marion Co., Ind., Aug. 9, 1834, but removed to 
Illinois, with his father's family, when about 7 years of age, first locating in 
Havana Township, where his father engaged in farming. In 1866, the subject of this 
sketch remoVed to his present home in Havana, and engaged in the livery busil 
together with farming. He owns 21 2 acres of land in .Mason Co. In 1860 he mar- 
ried Miss Maria Moslander, a native of New Jersey. They had two children — William E. 
and Alonzo. who died in 1867. His wife died April 19, 1871. He was married Aug. 
9, 1871, to Jennie Miller, who was born in Missouri. This marriage resulted in four 
children — Rosa, Emma, Charles and George. He is a member of A. 0. U. W. and 
I. 0. M. A. 

CHRISTIAN WEBER, farmer, Sec. 32; P. ( >. Havana; was bom in Hanover, 
Germany, Feb. 5, 1818. He came to America in 1848; he came by way of New 
Orleans, and settled in Mason Plains, now Forest City Township, this county. He 
came to Havana Township in 1858. Married March 16, 1850, to Miss Margaret 
Tegedes, who was born in the same country as her husband, and came to this country 
the same year. He owns 280 acres of land in Havana and Forest City Townships, 
Mason Co. 

RUDOLPH W1SSMAX, farmer, Sec 1 1 ; P.O. Havana; was born in Hanover, 
Germany, Aug. 20, 1840. Fie came to America in 1866, landing at Baltimore, Md., 
and. in the fall of that year, came to Illinois, and located in Havana Township, this 
county. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Catharine Stegenig, who was born in Sher- 
man Township, this county. They have four children — Henry. Mary. Hannah and 
Louis. Mr. Wissman owns 160 acres of land in this township. 

WILLIAM WALLACE, fanner. Sec. L3; P.O.Havana; was born in Highland 
Co., Ohio, May 18, 1820. In 184:!. he came West with his mother and other members 
of the family | his father died when Mr. Wallace was about 8 years old). They located 
in Mason Co., ai d engaged in farming. In 1853 i February 16 i, he was married to Miss 
Sarah Kelley. who was born in Knox Co., Ky.. Sept. t>. L832. Five children by this 
union, four of whom are living — Calvin \\'.. bom May 8, lS.")li; Martha E., Sept. lo. 
1857; Allen. Dee. 29, 1859, and Rempj A.. Sept. L, 1862. Albert was born March 
27. 1855, and died April 10, 1855. Mr. Wallace owns .">_'<i acres of land in Havana 
Township. Mrs. Wallace had two brothers in the Black Hawk war — Jeremiah and 
William Kelley, who went from Sangamon Co., 111., and Berved through the campaign. 

ORLANDO H.WRIGHT, of the firm of O. H. \ II A. Wright, attorneys, 
Havana; was born in Lockport, Niagara Co., N. V.. April 22, 1828, and is the 
.sun of George and Theresa HibbardJ Wright, the former a native of Deerfield, M - 
and the latter of Montreal. Canada. His fath >r*8 family removed to Illinois and settled 
in Fill to U Co., in L845. The' 8ubjec4 of this Bketoh Came West some four years later. 
and, after a short stay in Havana, returned to his native State, but returned to this eity 
in the spring of 1850, where h ■ has since resi led. He commence! the study of law in 
the office of William Walker, the same year, and was admitted I i the bar in 1852. He 
commenced the practice of law thai year, continuing until L 855, when he engaged in the 
banking business, under the firm name of Rupert, Haines & Co. In I860, he was 
elected Circuit Clerk of Mason Co., and served one term, at th • expiration of which he 
resumed the practice of law. He represent.! the counties of Mason and Menard at the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Constitutional Convention, held during the winter of 1869 and l v 7". II. 
city Attorney for several yeans, County Superintendent of schools, one term, ami lias 
also held other minor i Sees. He was married, Nov. 6, 1849, to Miss Harriet M. Par- 
melee, who was born in Wyoming ( Co., V Y. Pour children by this union, 
two of whom are living Frances and Douglass. 

EDGAR A. WALLACE, of the firm of Fullerton 4 Wallace, attorneys, Havana; 
was born at Antrim, Hillsboro C N II. June 7. 1843. He received bis early edu- 
cation at the Henniker Academy, graduating at that institution in lsti4. He also grad- 
uated at Harvard ( l Mass. Law Department), in July, 1867, and was 
admitted to the bar at Boston, Mass., in June, 1867. En November following, he came 
West, and located at Havana, where he became a law partner of Hon. Lyman 1. 
In January, 1868, he was admitted to the Illinois bar, and to practice in the United 
States Courts Boon after. The pr senl law firm of Fullerton & Wallace was established 
in November, 1875. Mr. Wallace bas served two j I ity Attorney. In 1869, 
be was married to Miss Gortie ES. Lightcap, who was born in Republic, Ohio. Mr. 
Wallace is a member of the following Masonic bodies : Havana I. dge, No. Bfi Havana 
Chapter, No. 86, and Damascus Commandery, N<>. 4l'. In the latt at body, he holds the 
office of Captain General, and in the Chapter, that of Principal Sojourner. He also 

I two yean as Eminent Commander of No. i_'. 

HORACE A. WEIGHT, of the firm ofO. H. & II. A. Wright, attorneys at law. 
Havana; was born in Niagara C N ST., April 14, 1839, but removed when about 7 
_.'. with his lather's family, to Illinois, locating at Bernadotte, Fulton Co., and 
about one year later, the family removed to Point Isabel, on the opposite side of the 
river from the present city of Havana. During the Bpring of 1849, the high water 
oompelled the family to seek higher ground, and they therefore came t" the east Bide, 
and made Havana their permanent home. The subject of this sketch was employed in 
1855 carrying mails to Delavan, Tazewell Co., making a trip once each week, and the 
following year served a- Deputy Postmaster at Havana. In 1 857, he becam< cashier 
in the banking-house of Rupert, Haines & Co., and served in that capacity until 1 
when the business of tin- hank was dosed. He then entered the Circuit Clerk's office 
as Deputy, where he remained until 1865, ami again, in 1869, took that position, and 

l until January, 1879 He commenced the study of law in I860, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1^7n. Since January, 1879, Mr Wrighl 1m- given his lull attention to 
the practice .it' law. In .Inly. I860, he was married to Miss Sarah Josephine, daughter 
of Winslow Parkhurst. She was born in Tom's River, N, J. Three children by this 
union, two of whom are living — Edgar B. and Don \V. 

WILLI \ M WOLL, groceries and provisions, Havana; was horn in Bavaria 
many. Dee. 10, 1845; came to this country in i v "i::. and, after a stay of a few 

mouths in New Jersey, located iii Madison Co . N. Y.. and in l s .">."> came Weal and WSJ 

first employed at Chicago, by the I. C. R. R. He goon after went to Peoria, and in the 
tall oi 1856, located at Havana, where he was employed in manufacturing hrick. In 
1864, he embarked in the butchers trade, and. in 1871, engaged in the dairy busii 
fair years later, he oommeno id in his present line of trade. He was married, in 1 867, to 
to .Mi.-- .Minnie Baokenhorst, who wts horn in Holland. She died Dec. 1. 1874. < >m- 
child by this union -Job , \v Mr. W. is a member of Havana Grove, No l". I \ 
< > I' Also a member of the Mutual Aid Society. He enlisted in Co. C, 2d I. \ 
in duly. 1861, and served until October, 1864. 

SAM1 B2L WHITAKER, I bionery, etc, Havana; was born in Coshocton 

Ohio, October I. 1836, where be resided until 2 ■ age. lie then moved 

to Illinois, settled in Forest City, and engaged in farming, dune l':;. 1861, he enl 
in Co, C -d I \ c , iii 1862, was commissioned Captain by Gov. Vat.-, on the 
petition of his company; served until tbi the war. November, 1865 II 

oame to Havana in the fall of 1866, and followed clerking, until 1871, when he en- 
i in hi- present business of books and atationeri Hi was married, in 1869, to 

M - Kate, daughter of Stephen Hole, Bsq., ot f the early settlers of this county. 

She w.i. 1 1 .ru in Washington Co . In 1 and died in 1870. He was a second time married 



HAVANA TOWNSHIP. 783 

in 1873, to Hattie R., a daughter of James H. Hole, and born in Havana, Til. They 
have two children — Nellie May and John H. Mr. W. is a member of Mason Lodge, 
Nu. 143, I. O. O. F. 

ALLEN E. WIENER, dealer in dry goods and clothing, Havana; was born in 
Philadelphia, Penn., March 6, 1844, where he resided until about 1858. When about 1 1 
years of age, he came to Havana, bis present home. He was first employed here by 
Steioer, Stearns & Co., and when the firm was changed to G. Wiener & Co., inl861, he 
from that date had an interest in the profits. On the 1st of January, 1S72, he com- 
menced business on his own account. He was married, March 29, lS7ii, to Miss Ger- 
trude Spat/., who was born in Philadelphia. They have two children — Minnie and 
Lulu. 

JOHN T. WARK, farmer; P. 0. Havana; was born in Logan Co., III., Jan. 13, 
1862, and came to Mason Co., in September, 1877. His father, James Wark, resides 
in Logan Co., and his mother, Martha ( Snyder ) was born near lVkin. Tazewell Co., 
111. Her father, William Snyder, now a resident of Havana, located in Fulton Co., 
in the fall of 1839. 

JOHN WALKER, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Havana ; was born in Dearborn Co., 
Ind., April 10, 1818, and is a son of James and Elizabeth l Nichols ) Walker, the 
former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. In 1837, the family 
removed from Dearborn Co., Ind., to Illinois, locating at Walker's Grove, this county, in 
the fall of that year. In 1843, he was married to Miss Mercy Coou, who was born in 
New Jersey. She is a daughter of Reuben and Anna I Drake ) Coon, both natives of 
New Jersey; they settled in Mason Co. in 1842. The following are the children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Walker — Anna M., wife of John Cunningham ; Julia, wife of William 
O. Shea; George and Lizzie. Anua died in 1842, John, in 1865, and Marietta, in 
August, 1865. 

" HENRY WEDEKIND, farmer, Sec 15; P. O. Havana; was born in Banover, 
Germany, July 28, 1826. He came to America in 1851, and located in Cass Co., 111. 
In the spring of 1852, he came to Mason Co., locating in Havana Township, where he 
has since been engaged in farming. He has served as Commissioner of Highways, 
three years; was married, in 1848, to Miss Dora T. Elend, who was born in Banover, 
Germany. Feb. 11, 1819, and died March 4, 1879. They have four children by this 
union — Henry L.. Mary, wife of Louis Baumbach, Margaret and Lucy. Mr. Wedekind 
owns 1(50 acres of land in Havana Township. 

HENRY WOLF, Constable, Havana; was born in Prussia March !», 1828. and 
came to America in 1855; after a short stay at New Orleans, La , he located at Quincy, 
111., where he resided until 1857, when he came to Havana, his present home : here he 
worked at blacksmithing (having learned bis trade in his native country, until L870, 
when he was elected Constable, and has since served in that capacity. In 185(5, he 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Backman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, July 1. 
1830; they have had nine children, four of whom are living — Man, Lizzie. Tilly and 
Prank; Adolph died March 7. 1870; Louis, Aug. 28, 1870; the others died in infancy. 

CHARLES FETTER, farmer and Btock-raiser, Sic. 8; P.O. Havana; was hum 
in Northampton Co., Penn.. Sept. 20, 1821, where he resided till his removal to the 
W( St in 1 851 . locating in Havana Township, this county, on Sept. 1 1 of that year. wh( re 
he has since been engaged in farming and Btock-raising. On Feb. 24, L848, he was 
married to Miss Anna M. Keller, who was born in the same county and State as her 
husband; her death occurred .Jan. 10. 1 852 . they had two children, one living — Joseph 
II.. now resides in Pennsylvania; Robert J. died in 1852. Mr. fetter was married to 
Rachel Jane Davis Sept 13, 1853; she was born in Greene, 111.. July 19, 1827; her 
parents, John and Sally Davis, were early settlers of Greene Co., Ill ; eight children by 
this union, four of whom are living — Jacob, Sally A., Joshua and Charles; the four 
deceased are George, Joel, Raohel J. and John W. Mr. Fetter own- 100 acres of land 

in Havana Township. 

JACOB FETTER, former, See. I; P.O. Havana; was horn in Havana Town- 
ship, this county. Dec. 5. 1854. He was married, Oct. L0, 1877, to Miss Sarah C. 



784 BIOGtUPHICAL SKETCHES 

Crater, who wu also horn in tin- township Jan. 30, L868; they have one child — 
II. Mr. I ther, Charlea fetter, Mttled in the county in 1851. 

0. II. CARL ZELLE, farmer, Bea 17; P.O. Havana, was bon in Hanover, 
Germany, Deo 1. 1851; oame to America with hi.-- father's family in W>7. ami to 
Havana Township, this eonnty, March 11. 1858. He was married, Oct. 24, 187< 
Miss Ann;' Wirth. who wse horn in New Orleans, La., Jnoe 29, 1856; they hare one 
child Adolph. Mr. Zelle own- inn acres of land in Havana Township. His 

father Frederick Zelle, was born in Hanover, Germany, .Inly'.'. 1811, ami was married, 
.Julv 15, 1849, to Miss Henrietta Qtermoahlen, who was horn in tin Bams oonnti 
her husband, Nor. :•. 1-17 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM ALLEN retired merchant ami farmer; P.O. Mason City; oi F 

the early settlers; born in Dearborn Co., End., March 31, 1807, where he attended 
school until 20 yean of age; he was engaged in tin- merchandise trade Beveral rears in 
Indiana, and, in 1840, was elected Sheriff of La Porte Co., serving two years, ami 
again elected to the same office in 1852; in 1843-44, he represented the I. a Porte 
District in the Stat.- Legislature; in W>t. he came to Illinois ami located in Havana, 
ami. until 1>7". was engaged in farming near the latter place; in 1870, he disposed of 
a part of his property in Havana; re invested in Mason City ami Township, where he 
has lived Bince 1-77 He was married to Sarah Iv Shotwell in 1 07 ; -he wa.- a native 
of New Jersey; they are the pareuts of five children— Jacob It., William S., Louba, 
K and Henry S Mr. Allen ha- t iken a deep interest in the cause of religion, and 
has been a member of the Methodist Church for a period of upward of forty yi 
hi- whole family are also Church members, the oldest son now preaching in La 

Salle, 111. 

JOHN .1. AINSWORTH, fanner. P.O. Mason City; is a boo of Richard Ains- 
worth, whose biography also appear- in this work ; he was horn in Mason Co.. 111.. July 
_'t. l^oL'. he wa- rai-ed to farming, and obtained a common-school education, complet- 
ing tie same by a course at the Commercial College at Jacksonville, Morgan Co. He 
wa- united in marriage to Miss Elisabeth A. Ainsworth upon March i!l'. 1^77 -h 
born in Mason Co.. 111.. April l. 1 85 4, and was a daughter of William Ainsworth, a 
-ettler of 1842. In March, 1878, he located upon his present place, which contains 
240 acres just outside of the city limits of Mason City, which he intends making his 
permanent home. 

RICfl \i:i> AINSWORTH, retired farmer, Sec 6; I' M isonCity; 01 f the 

early settlers of Mason Co.; horn in Lancashire, England, Deo. 5, 1817; after receiving a 

common school education, he was < ogaged in the cotton factories of Blackburn until :_'.*> 

r Ken he. with two brothers, emigrated to America, landing in New ( Means ; 

they 'In n oame up tin' river to Cincinnati, thence to I I 111 . where, after a -In rt 

residence, tiny cam* M ison Co. ami located near Bath in the fall of 1842; here 
he entered eighty acre- of land, to which he afterward added until he had accumu- 
lated between 600 ami 700 acre-, upon which he resided until l s 77. when he disposed 
of the -.Hue ami. afters residence of one year at Natrona, removed to Mason City 
Township ami elected bis present residence removing into the same in October, 1878 
M > \in-woith i- one "t' the self-made men of Mason Co. ; arriving in the oounty with- 
out means ; he borrowed the m y to enter his lir-t eighty acre- of land ; he has always 

confined his business to farming ami has, by his hard labor, perseverance ami correct 
business hal.it-. plaeed himself among the large landholders arid successful farmen 
M rning, a- In- now do,-. 1,450 acres in Mason Co. and 1,620 ere- in Iro- 

quois Co., his real estate being valued at upward of $100,000, aside from personal 
property; he ha- not accumulated the above by a miser!} manner of living; he is 
known a- being very liberal ; contributes liberally to the cause of religion and educa- 
tion, and i- very kind to the poor, and especially to hi- own tenants, with whom, upon 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 785 

a failure of crops, he assumes the largest share of the losses ; he lias devoted much tim< 
to literature, being particularly interested in ancient and modern history, and has, by 
years of reading and study, become familiar with all the topics of the day. His mar- 
riage with Mary J. Talbott was eelebrated in 1840, in Blackburn, Lancashire; she w;i- 
born in the above place in November, 1817; she died in Mason Co. Feb. 24, 1874; 
they were the parents of eight children, of whom two sons and two daughters now sur- 
vive, viz.: Mary J., wife of John B. Abbott, of Natrona; John J., fanning mar Mason 
City ; Sarah A. and William T., the last two living at home. 

J. C AM BROSE, hardware, firm of Ambrose & Sands, hardware stores, etc 
Mason City; one of the early pioneers of Mason Co.; born in Morgan Co., Va., May 
1,1818; in 1831, he emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, and followed farming until 
1837, when he went to Quincy, Logan Co., and followed the carpenter and wagon- 
maker trade until 1853, at which date he engaged in hotel-keeping and the merchan- 
dise trade until 1861, when he sold out, and, emigrating to Illinois, located in Mason 
City Township in April, 1861 ; he then purchased forty acres of land. and. the follow- 
ing August, removed his family upon the farm ; he then put in a crop of corn and 
wheat, the latter proving a failure, and the corn was hauled to Pekin and sold for 10 
cents per bushel. Mr. Ambrose mentions some facts representing the hardships and 
privations of the settlers of Mason Co. at that time; in the fall of 1861, for three we< Ice 
his provisions for his family of six persons consisted of grated corn, rye coffee, salt and 
potatoes; in November, 1864, he came to Mason City and opened the first restaurant 
of the place, continuing the same some three years, when he was employed as clerk in 
the hardware trade in 1870, and, in July. 1874. commenced the hardware trade for 
himself, under the above firm name, which they have since successfully followed. His 
marriage with Rosanna Yost was celebrated Oct. 19, 1842; she was born in Morgan 
Co., Va., Feb. 14, 1826; they were the parents of eight children, of whom tin. 
now living — Mary E., Lycurgus K. and John F., the two sons being associated in busi- 
ness with their father. 

JOHN J. BURNHAM, farmer; P. 0. Mason City; Mr. Burnham is another 
of the old residents of Mason Co. ; born in Windham Co., Conn . Dec. 26, 1808; at 
21 years of age, he started in life for himself and soon after started a peddler's wagon, 
and, after several years, engaged in the grocery business; in 1857, he came to Illinois 
and located upon his present place, where he bought Kill acres of land, which he has 
brought to its present high state of cultivation, located one and a half miles from Mason 
City. Upon Sept. 'J, 18:52, he was married to Clarissa K. Sharp ; she was horn in 1809 
and died Feb. 19, 1870; his second wife was Persis Rickard, married in 1^7<>; his 
third wife was Tirzah Rickard, married September. 1876. Mr. Burnham has held the 
office of School Trustee and School Director several terms during his residence here 

DAVID BUNN, farmer: P. 0. Mason City: one of the 'early settlers of Mason 
Co.; he was born in Somerset Co., X. J.. March 21. 1^2.".. and emigrated to Mason Co 
and located in what is now Quiver Township, in 1848; at that date, there were only a 
few settlers, some houses being (en miles apart : he had no means at that time, save 
his team, and labored for such Wages as he could get, taking his pay ill corn, etc.: about 
the year 1850, he purchased some school land, which he sold che following year ; in 
the spring of 1869, he came to Mason City Town-hip and purchased i 1 * ► acres of his 
present place, where he has since lived; he also owns 134 acres in Logan Co. and has 
good farm buildings upon both places. His marriage with C. E. Appleman was cele- 
brated in Somerset Co., N. J., Deo. 18, 1847, she was born Jan. 27. 1826; three chil- 
dren were die fruit of this union — Martha A , John M. and William C. 

JOSEPH 8. BANER, Postmaster, Mason City. The subject of this memoir id 
an old, and, because of his hospitable and affable nature, together with superior 
intellectual culture and ability, a very prominent resident of Mason Co.: he was born 
in Warren Co., Ohio. June 21. 1824, where he -pent his childhood, youth and early 
manhood: there he attended the public schools until lit years of age, and was then 
engaged as Principal, for one year, in the Bellelontaine Academy ; in 1849, he moved 
to Cincinnati, and. for several years, held the position of confidential clerk in an extensive 



786 BIOGRAPHICAL BKBfl 

commercial boose, and was then admitted :i partner, which relation continued until 
l 357, when he emigrated Weal and located in Alien'.* Grove Townahip, Ma- in Co., III.. 
he here engaged in farming until 1863, when he returned to Cincinnati and engaged in 
the commission business until 1 B66 . he then returned to the West and located in Mason 

City, and for the three succeeding yean was i ngaged In the dry g Is, drug and grocery 

trade, under the firm nam.' of Warnock & Co.; he then engaged in the grain trade, In 
connection with farming, until 1^7 i. when be was appointed Postmaster al Mason City, 
nndcr the administration of Presidenl Grant, which office he dow holds, having been 
re-appointed in 1^7 v . by Presidenl Hayes; be has also been frequently elected to town- 
ship and school offices and is a public-school advocate in heart ami practice; being a fine 
scholar, a fluent Bpeaker and public spirited, he has from bis youth been more "r less 
identified with the political questions and interests of the cation, receiving his fir>t 
impetus in that direction from the illustrious and brilliant Gov. Corwin, of Ohio, with 
whom be was on intimate terms of acquaintance and personal association, and whom he 
took? as his model political orator and patriotic statesman ; in 1866, Mr. Banerwas ten- 
dered the nomination for Representative in the Legislature, on the Republican ticket I'nr 
this county, but be had not the five successive years previous residence necessary to 
eligibility; at the first election of the Legislature under the Constitution <>t' 1870, he 

ved the nomination for State Senator on the Republican ticket of this, the Thirty- 
Sixth Senatorial District, and canvassed the district against the Son. A A. Glenn, the 
Democratic candidate ; the district was largely Democratic, but Mr. Baner carried the 
lull vote of his party and much more in his home county; in 1876, he was before the 
Republican Congressional Convention for the nomination for Congress in this the Thir- 
teenth District, and stood among the highest until repeated balloting settled into a dead-lock 
when he voluntarily withdrew his name that harmony and unit\ might prevail, which 

Judge Tipton, of I'd nington, the nomination and election. He and Mi-- Cath- 
arine Mullen were married in 1846; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, and died at 
their beautiful home and residence in the northeast part of the town, in 1874; eight 
children were born to them. <d' whom only three are now living — Sallie, Assistant Post- 
master; Lydia (wife of V S. Forsyth end Prank, who is now attending the St 
I niver-iu at < ihampaign. 

St ILOMON M. BADGER, Count) Superintendent of Sohools, Mason Cit) ; born in 
Perry Co., I ml.. Nov. '-. 1840; at 19 years of age, be engaged in Bchool-teaching dur- 

fall and winter ami attending the higher grades of school during the spring and 
summer t< rms for a period of five years; in the fall id' 1864, he came t<. Illinois and 
located in Crane Creek Township, Mason Co., where he taught school -i.\ months. 
I pon the 13th of August, 1865, he was united in marriage with Marj 8. Morgan; she 
was born in Sangamon Co. and raised in Mason Co. . they have four children by this 
union — William S., Claude I... Henry A. and Marine R. Upon the marriage of Mr 
Badger, he returned to Indiana, and. after teaching several months, returned to Mason 
City in 1866, and for three years was Principal <>r the schools of this place; he con- 
tinued teaching in different Bchools in the county until 1>7_'. when he was appointed by 
the Board of Supervisors a- County Superintendent of Schools, and. in November t'"l- 
lowing, was elected to the above office for a term of four year-, and re-elected again in 
1-77 for Me same length "!' time; he ha- also held the office of Citj Clerk of M 
City some five years, and Township Collector two yean 

S B. CROSS rrn i P. Mason City; one of the early pinned- M 
born in 9 \ .1 Oct. 31, 1824; he emigrated with hi- father, Robert 

. and located in Greene Co., Ill . in 1839; in 1843, they came t«> Mason <'". and 
located in Quiver Townahip, and upon this place Robert died in August, 1852; the 

ontinued t « • live upon the old homestead until 1873, when he purchased hi- pr 
place, where he ha- sinoe lived; he >till owns the old homestead in Quiver Township, 

'el upon which his oldest s"ii i- nOW living), ami 195 acre- iii 

M is n <v- rownship, and 240 acres in other parts of the county. His marriage with 

MoReynolds was celebrated in December, 1852; -he die! Aug. 19, i 
leaving two children now living— Robert I., horn Sept. 'J. 1 B5 \ . Stephen Albert, \ 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 787 

11, 1856; upon Dec. 24, 1857, he was united in marriage with Sarah L. Appleman ; 
she was born in Somerset Co., N. J., May 19, 1828; they have two children living by 
this union — Luther W., born Feb. 10, 1861, and John A., Jan. 25, 1867. 

F. H. COOK, merchant; dealer in groceries and provisions, glass and queensware, 
etc., etc., etc., Mason City; born in Logan Co., 111., Jan. 18, 1851 ; when quite young, 
he removed with his mother to Mason City and attended the common schools until 
1865; he then entered the general merchandise store of K. W. Porter, and continued 
in the same store under different firms until December, 1878, when he gave up his 
position, and, in January, 1879, started in business for himself, carrying a large and com- 
plete stock of everything in the above lines, giving his personal attention to every 
detail, and by his honorable and fair dealing is rapidly paving his way to the front ranks as 
one of the leading merchants of his line in Mason City. His marriage with Harriet 
E. Sikes was celebrated in March, 1876; she was born in Mason Co. in 1855; they 
have one child — George Frederick. 

A. G. H. CONOVER, M. D., deceased, Mason City; born in Morgan Co., 111., in 1834 ; 
he devoted all his spare time in early life to study, and completed his education at the 
Medical University at Ann Arbor, Mich. ; after two years of practice at Manito, he 
located in Mason City and followed his profession with great success until his decease, 
which occurred at his residence March 13, 1874. He took a deep interest in the cause 
of religion, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church; he was also an 
honored member of the Masonic Order, having reached the degree of Knight Templar, 
and had officiated as Master of Anchor Lodge, No. 615 ; the Knights Templar came 
out by special train to assist in performing the last rites over their beloved brother, the 
Masonic ceremonies being performed by L. M. Hillyer, of Havana, and J. S. Tuwnsend, 
W. M. of Anchor Lodge, No. 615, J. S. Baner acting as Chaplain, in presence of and 
assisted by a large circle of the Masonic Fraternity. At a meeting of Damascus Com- 
inandery, No. 42, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the high 
regard of the above Order for the memory of their deceased brother comrade and Sir 
Knight, A. G. H. Conover, a copy of which was printed in the Mason City Lul 
■ hut of March 20, 1874. His marriage with Mary E. Ambrose was celebrated June 
27, 1865 ; two children were the fruit of this union — Anna Mason ami John Alfred ; 
Mrs Conover was a daughter of J. C. Ambrose, one of our prominent merchants, and 
whose biography also appears iu this work. 

* VV. J. CHAMBLIN, deceased; physician and surgeon, Mason City; was 
born in Loudoun Co., Va., upon the 16th of July, 1820; his general education was 
obtained in Virginia and at Zanesville, Ohio, after which he entered the Jefferson 
Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he graduated, after a course of several years' 
study. He then commenced the practice of medicine, at Newark. Ohio, after which he 
practiced in Peru, Ind., and then removed to Menard Co., 111., ami after a residence of 
several years in Illinois, California ami Texas, came to Mason City, where he located in 
1861 .and followed his profession up to the date of his decease, which occurred April 
29, 1S72. His marriage with Talitha C. Cheney, was celebrated in 1>~>7 ; she was born 
in Springfield, 111. Three children are now living bj this union — Ida T.. William J. 
ami Charles E. Mr. Chamblinwasa member of the First Baptist Church ofSpringfield, 
111., and of tlm Masonic Order of the same place. Mrs. Chamhlin has taken a deep 
interest in the cause of education and is now serving her second year as one of the Board 
of Directors of the schools of MaBOB City. 

EDWARD CRAIG, deceased, farmer and stock-dealer ; born in Champaign Co.. 
Ohio, March 13, 1835 ; at - year- of au r e he emigrated with his parent- to Illinois, and 
located in Morgan Co., where he followed farming and stock-raisin-.:, until the breaking- 
out of the rebellion, when he weal to Missouri and engaged in stock-dealing until 1866, 
when he located and followed farming and Stock-raising until h:- which occurred 

Feb. '■'. 1873, while upon a trip to Missouri to purchase cattle. Bis remains now lie 

buried in the Allen Grove Cemetery ; he took a deep interest in the cause of religion, 
and lived and died a consistent Christian. Hi- marriage with Euphemia C. Leggwas 
celebrated Sept. 12, L866 ; four children were the fruit of this union, of whom Clyde L., 



788 GRAPHICAL BEEN BEE 

and Blanche now survive. Mn Craig is a daughter of James !.• [ biog- 

raphy also appears in this work. 

A A CARGILL, merchant, Mason CHy ; firm of Car-ill A Swing, general 

banls Mr. Cargill is probably the oldest continuous resident and merchanl of 
M son t 'it\. Hi was born in Norfolk Co., M ■ Dec 9 1827; si -1 \< 
he came to Chicago, where he located in 1849, at which time the above city contained 
a population of about 29,000. Here b< was i Dgaged in the millinery jobbing trade for 
three years, and in the spring "t 1853, he went to Australia, returning in l v ">i;. In 
the spring of 1857, he came to Mason Co., locating at Cherry Grove, and in June, 1858 
he located in Mason City, and engaged in the merchandise trade, under the tirm name 
ut' Woodward A. Cargill, opening the firat Btock of goods brought to Mason City, and 
continuing under the above style Borne eighteen months; in 1864, Mr. Cargill associated 
with David Powell, in the above business, under the tirm name of I'. Powell & Co., 
this firm existed aom< rs, during which time they purchased the corner and en 

the building upon the corner now occupied by Cargill & Swing, which linn was formed 
in 1>71. by the admission of P. M. Swing, in the linn under the above nam.. They 

a full and complete Btock of dry goods, hats and caps, gents' furnishing g Is, 

- notions, eb Hi- marriage with Mar] A. Phipps was celebrated in January, 
1859. They were the parents of tine., children by this anion, oi whom two now sur- 
vive — Chaunoy W. and Harry C. 

ROBERT DONOVAN, tanner ami Btock-raiser ; I'. <> Mason City; born in 
Muskingum Co., Ohio, Oct. 21, 1 s l'l'; he was raised in Champaign ('".. and can 
I Hi n« .is and located in Mason Co., in I B48, at which time there were not upward of fifteen 
families in this township. In 1852, he with his brothers purchased 1,000 aires of land. 
to which they afterward added, until they owned in partnership 2,800 aero, and 
alter continuing in partnership twenty-eight years, made a division of the land, and Robert 
now owns for bis share I - ad lives upon the place where he has lived Brace I i 

In 1856 he married Caroline Laugher} ; her parents located in Logan Co., about tin- year 
1821; -he died in l>7:i. In 1877, he was united in marriage with Mary Colon, a n 

nt" New v. rk. Mr. Donovan was the father <>\' four children by his first wife and 

by his present 

JOHN DIETRICH, firm of Rissinger A. Dietrich, butchers, brick and ice 
dealers, Mason City; hum in Snyder Co., Penn, April 29, 1834, where be worked 
at brick-making and carpentering until 23 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois in 
April, 1857 ; located half a mile east of wh< a City now stand-. In 1858, hi 

commenced the manufacture of briok, supplying the want- oi M is* n ( 'it } Borne f"ur j 
He then followed carpentering and the undertaker's business until 1867, when he 
ciated with his present partner, and again engaged in making brick ; in 1872, they added 
the ice business, and in September, 1-7 1 -. again extended their business by adding the 
butcher business Mr. D. is tl Idest continuous business man in Mason City, coming 

when there was Dot a single house upon the Bpot wh< M d City now stands. 
lie h;is held tin- office of Alderman of the Third Ward for thr< • His in. u 1 

with Caroline Harmon was celebrated in Pennsylvania. Eleven children were thi 
fruit "t" thi- union, of whom i'mir are now living L Caroline, Harrj L 

and Eivelina. Mr. D i a soi FG trich, who was born in Snydi I Penn., 

in 1803; came to Mason City in 1-.".-. and followed shoemaking until 1 s 7 -' ! . .Married. 
in January, 1831, Sarah Qouseworth ; she died in Mason City Aug. 17. 1875. Piv< 
of their children now survive ; Jeremiah and a son-in-law lost their lives at the battle 
ol Lookout Mountain. 

.1 \ E2LLMORE, farmer and Btock-buyer; P. O. Mason City; one of the earlj 
settlers of Mason Co.; born in Green Co., Ky . Deo. 19, 1828; be emigrated to Illinois 
and located in Mason Co in 1855, at which time there was no bouse nearer than Salt 
Creek; no house whei Mat a I •» dow stands. In 1867, he purchased 55 acres of 

hi" present place, and now owns 202 acres with g I farm buildings, which he has 

accumulated by his own exertions. Upon the l>th of February, 1868, he was united 

in mania: rah A Hill, a natr Scott ( 01 Ten child 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 789 

were the fruit of this union, of whom eight now survive — Henry C, Charles V, Lillie 
B., Hattie C, Nellie M., Fannie M., Eddie M. and an infant. 

E. EVERIST, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Mason City; bom in Clinton Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 27, 1839, where he was raised to farm labor until 1859, when he came to Illinois 
and followed teaming and farming, at and near Havana, Mason Co., until 1865, when he 
located upon his present farm of eighty acres, where he has since lived. Hi- marri 
with Mary E. Hole was celebrated in Mason City. May 31, 1866; she was born in 
Mason Co., July 15, 1847. They have four children by this union — Zilla, born Feb. 
2, 1868; Ralph, April 10, 187(1; Louie, Nov. 20, 1875, and Cecil. Oct. 16, l>77,ar.d 
Joseph, who died when 2 years of age. Mrs. Everist is the daughter of Joseph E 
Hole, who was born in Washington Co., Ind., about 1821. He was married, in 1 
to Miss Clotilda Green; immediately after his marriage, he came to Mason Co., 111., 
and for more than a year lived upon a farm owned by Daniel Clark. He soon acquired 
.'!2n acres of land about two miles south of Mason City, and was elected Justice of the 
Peace; he was noted lor his correct decisions, and was highly respected in the com- 
munity where he lived until his decease, which occurred in 1855. Mrs. Hole is now 
living in Mason City. 

DAVID ELLMOKF, farmer; P. O. Mason City; one of the old settlers of Mason 
Co., born in Green Co., Ky., Jan. 19, 1838. In the spring of 1858, became to Illinois. 
and, in the fall of 1 Still, located in Salt Creek Township, Mason Co. In 1864, he 
purchased forty acres of his present place, where he has since lived. He now owns 240 
acres under a good state of cultivation, with good farm buildings, nearly all of which he 
has made by his own exertions. His marriage with Margaret .1. Hill was celebrated in 
185D ; she died in April, 1877, leaving seven children — John E., David 0., Edward P., 
Wiley \\\. Dora M.. George ('. and Walter S. He married, for his second wife, Bettie 
A. Scaggs, in April, 1S7!>. 

.1 AMES F. EARL, dealer in dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes, etc., etc.. Mason 
City. The subject of this sketch was born in 1839 and was raised in the State of New 
York until 1851 ; he then came to Illinois and located at Metamora, tin: county seat of 
Woodford Co.. where he attended the common schools until 1856, when he entered 
the Abingdon and pursued his studies nearly three years: in 185'J. he entered the 
Bethany College, at Brooke Co . Va., and, in 1861, he opened the first exclusively gro- 
cery store at Metamora ; sold out in 1864 and engaged in the dry-goods, clothing and 
boot and shoe trade. In 1869, he engaged in general banking and opened the first 
bank at Metamora, under his own name, receiving the funds of the county anion- his 
deposits; it was afterward changed in name to the Metamora Bank. In 1872, he 
added hardware to his extensive business, which at that time occupied three entire 
buildings. In 1S75, he sold out his bank, hardware and grocery stores and removed 
his stock of dry goods to Forest, Livingston Co., and, after a short time, to Fairbury, 
closing tin in out in 1876. In 1877, he came to Mason City and purchased a stock of 
about $10,000 worth of goods of G. M. La Forge and has since carried a full and com- 
plete stock of dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes, etc., second to none in the town, and 

has a heavy and rapidly increasing trade, his sales of 187* exe ling the -ales of the 

previous year by 100 per cent. In 1861, he was united in marriage with Rosalie P 
Charles ; she was born in Knoxville, 111. ; they have two children— Flora M. and Freddie. 

N. S. FORSYTH, grocer, Mason City; born in Schoharie Co., X. V.. April hi. 
L845. He emigrated with his parents to Illinois when 11 years of age and located in 
Lincoln, Logan Co.. in December, 1856; here he attended the common and graded 
schools, completing his education at 'the Lincoln University. He then clerked in the 
drug trade for seven years in Lincoln, and, in 1868. went to Minnesota, residing two 
years, and, in the spring of 1870, returned t<. the employ of his old linn in Lincoln, 
with whom he continued until the fall of 1874, since which time he has been engaged 
with C. E. Randolph, in Mason City, in the grocery and provision business, Eis mar- 
riage with Lydia A. Baner was celebrated in Mason City Oct. 17, 1876; she 
born in Logan Co., III., and i» a daughter of J. S. Bauer, whose biography also ap] 
in this work. 



790 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM GINTHER, farmer; P. O. New Holland; bora in Prussia, 
maiiv. Sept 1"). L827 ; emigrated to America end landed in Baltimore July 7, 1842 
he then located in R Ohio, and followed (arming until 1866, when he located 

anon his present place in Mason Co., and purchased 160 scree of land ; he now owns 
od improved land, with two good sets of farm buildings. Eie arrived in 
America without means, and has, by hi- own li:ir«l labor and oorreet businesa habits, 
accumulated all of the above property, and d >w stands sm mg the Lir<_:.- landholders 
and successful farmers of the county, tie has been twice married; his first wife was 
Christina Ginther ; married in < > Ii i< ■ Feb. 2, 1861; Bhe died Oct. 31, 1874, leaving 
five ohildren — Christina, Richard, Matilda, Reinharl and Josie, Sis marriage with 
Caroline Stoudei was edebrated Nov. 7. 1875; Bhe was bora in Roes Co., Ohio, April 
l. 1850; they have two ohildren by this union — Katie and ■■ Mr. Ginther i> 

Sohool Director in tin- distric in which he I; 

L K. EASTINGS, Mason City. Among the settlers who came to Mason Co. in 
1851, ire tin'l tli'- gentleman whose Dame heads this sketch, tie was born in Franklin 
Co., Mass., March '.'•. 1806, where he obtained his general education. In ]^-~>. he 
removed to New fork ami followed farming and preaching until L845, when In- came 
to Indiana and followed farming and preaching until tin- tall .if 1851, when In- came t" 
Illinois and entered It*' 11 acres "(' land in Mason City Township, with land warrant! 
an expense of 31 i cents per acre; here he resided until 1876, when he sold at S60 
per acre, and removed t<> Mason City, where he now resides, tie was ordained 
Baptist minister in St. Lawrence Co., N. V.. in 1845, and ha< followed the ministry 
for a period of thirty-four years. About the year 1854, he organised the Big Grove 
Baptist Church, a branch of the Crane Creek Church, and, a few years later, organised 
tli,' First lurch of Mason City, whioh at that time was known as the First 

Baptist Church of Prairie Creek. His marriage with Jane Eddy was celebrated in 
. 11. L830; she died in Mason City Township in 1856; there are now 
two children living by this union — James L. and Jane. He married for his second 
wife Mrs. Olive Peck in 1858; her maiden name was Olive Halstead; she has three 
children by her previous husband. 

OLIVER HOLLAND, farmer ; P.O. Ma»inCity; he was born in what is now 

ird Co., 111., Dec. 23, 1823. His father, Henry Holland, emigrated from North 
Carolina to the above place about the year 1819. The subject of this sketch lived with 
his father until 30 years of age, when he commenced farming upon rented land, follow- 
ing the same two yean; he then purchased in Logan Co. and in 1861, purchased 160 
- id' his present place, to which he ha- since added, until he now owns nearh 

i hundn d acres, which be ha- accumulated by In- own exertions. Hi- marriage with 
\manda Huffman wa- celebrated Dec. 12, L858; -In 1 was born in I' ^ April 

12,1842. They ha hildren — Annie E., bora 8e] Marj I. M 

L866; JohnW.,Feb 29,1868; Araminda J., May 13, 1870 ; Oliver E., July 6, 1 
and Willi • >. 12, 1878. The town of New Holland i- located upon land owned 

by Mr. Holland, and named in honor of him. 

I'. HI FPM AN, farmer ; I' Mason City; hum in Virginia April 23, 1844; 

i.iiid in Illinni-, with hi- parents, when 2 years of age; located in I 
where he was raised to firm labor, until 1865, when he came t.. Mason Co., and located 
upon his present place, where In- ha- since lived. Hi- marriage with Sarah Shugart 

celebrated Sept -'-' 1864; shi was h rn in tows dun.- I. 1848. Seven ohildren 

thefruitof this union — Albert M., bora Feb. 21, 186< i Dec.! 

March 3, 1-71 . Rosanna, Aug. 3, 1873; Hanrj II Sepi 26, 1873 
Charles D., July 20, 1877, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman ar.' 
both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, tn politics Mi Huffman is 
Republican, having always voted that ticket. 

.i< >l I \ HULSHIZ BR, dealer in wines liquors and cigars, and proprietor of Hul-- 
hiser's billiard hall, entrance upon Chestnut and Tonics stn M • a Citi Lmong the 
early settlers of Mason I sntion the name of John Hulshiser; be was bora in 

the S \ I t"i >hin in l B n. and. in I 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 791 

came to Fulton Co.. Til. In 1854, he came to Mason Co., and, until 1857, was engaged 
in milling, at Havana. In ls;>7, he went overland with ox trams to Pike's Peak, and 
assisted in building the first log building at Denver City ; he remained here a short 

time, then returned to Leavenworth, and was in the employ "I' die Government as 
wagon master, freighting from the latter place to Camp Floyd. In 1860, hie train of 
eighty wagons was burnt by the Mormons and Indians, and the following winter he 
resided in Salt Lake City. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the 17th Regt. I. V 
I., and served three years, when he re-enlisted in Hancock Veteran Corps, and served 
until the close of the war. receiving his discharge after a service of nearly five years. 
Il( then followed milling one year, in Havana, and, in 1867, with his fathi r, came to 
Mason City, and started the first mill at this place under the linn name of Elulshizer & 
Co., which mill continued running by the Hulshizers until its destruction by fire, in 
1874 or 1875. About the year 1870, he purchased his present business site, and 
engaged in the present business, which he has since successfully followed He k 
the finer grades of liquors and cigars, and is always found in readiness to attend to the 
demand of his numerous patrons. He was united in marriage with Minerva Bowsock 
in 1867 ; she was a native of Ohio. They have no children, but an adopted daughter 
3 years of age, which they have raised from infancy, and treated as their own child. 
their intention being to provide for her the advantages of a liberal education. Godfrey 
Hulshizer, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey in 18 
here he learned milling, which business he followed in connection with distilling, until 
he came West. In 1854, he came to Illinois, and for six years followed milling in Ful- 
ton Co. In I860, he located in Havana, and followed milling until 1867, when be 
came to Mason City and erected the first mill, which he ran until about 1875, when the 
mill was destroyed by fire. He then followed milling in Nebraska two years, and 
returned to Mason Co. and followed his business in Quiver Township, and now has one 
of the largest and finest water mills in Nebraska, located at West Mills, Seward Co. 
He has been twice married; his first wife was Phoebe Young; she died about the year 
185t>, leaving seven children, having lost one by death. He married Kosanna Dewitt 
about the year 1859, and has by the last union five children. He wa- the rather of 
thirteen children, of whom twelve are now living. 

J. P. HUDSON, Justice of the Peace, Mason City; one of the early pioneers 
of Mason Co.; born in Worcester Co., Mass., Dec. 30, 1st)."); at If. years lit' age, he 
engaged in the cotton mills at Newton, Upper Falls, where, after a time of experience 
in the machinery department, his skill as a mechanic and workman in the machinery of 
cotton mills became known, and fin- several years previous to 1833, he was constantly 
employed in placing in the machinery in different mills, located in the Eastern States ; 
in 1833, he went to Newport, Campbell Co., Ky., where lor two years he was Super- 
intendent of the cotton, hemp and flax mills of the place; in 1835, he leased a mill 
at Maysville. Ky.. which he ran three years, and in 1 838, removed to Macoupin Co., 
where he followed the merchandise trade seven years; in 1845, he came to Mason ' 
and located near Bath, and engaged in farming for awhile, when be leased his farm and 
removed to Havana, where be was engaged iii business until 1867, when be removed to 
Mason City and engaged in the lumber trade and contracting and building until 1876, 
when he was succeeded by hi- sens. Mr. Hudson brought the tir.-t McCormick reaper 
to hi- place that came to Mason Co.; be located in Havana when there were only two 
houses in the place; bis first home was built of birch poles, fished out of the river, 
which was erected at Matanzas, which now exists only in name ; be has now retired 
from active business, attending onlj to Buch matter- as bis office as Justice of the P 
requires, which office he has held for the past three year-, in 1846. be was appointed 
by Gov. Ford as .1 ostice of the I 'eaoe, resigning the same upon his removal upon his farm. 
In 1 832, be was united it: marriage with Abigail Harrington, who wa- a native of Fax ton. 
Mass.; children — Martha, wife of K. .J. Onstott; J. Davis, engaged in busmen 
home; Preston C, lawyer, of Port Dodge, Iowa, and Olive A., teacher in the Mason 
City school; of his sons. d. I>. served in the I'd I. V. ('.. and Freston C. enlisted at 
17 years of age, in the 85th 1. V. 1.. and served three years; be was a graduate of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

of 1872, .it Ann Arbor, Mich. When Mr. Budson looated in Mason Co., Iin 
milling was done in what i- now Quiver Township; be pal up an ox-mill, of the 

ity of ten bushels p r hour, and was patronized l>y parties from different conntiee, 
■ ■ ii?\ -five miles. 

i: II. IRONMONGER, miller, Mason City; firm of Ironmonger \ Tibbets, 
proprietors Mas □ City Mill.-, born in Staffordshire ESng., Oct. 1. 1832; at 12 j 

a . he came to America, arriving ai New Orleans, then to St Louis, and followed 
milling until 1856, then to Jacksonville, milling until I860, when he removed to Pekin, 
ami followed milling until 1869, when he, with A. Stubbs, erected the Foung America 
Mill-, at Delavan, which they run until l s ~^. when In- located at Mason City, under 
the firm name of Ironmonger, Johnson & Tibbets, erecting their mill, which thej com- 
pleted in the spring of 1873. Mr. Ironmonger \ Tibbets have been associated with 
different parties, l>ut are now running together, having purchased the interest of the 
other partner; they have two runs for wheat and one for corn, being the only mill in 

n City, and has a capacity of forty barrels per day, their Bupply being mostly 
produced near home, but have some year- received wheat from Kansas City, and other 

- north and west. B irrled, in is.")."), to Elizabeth Stubbs; she was born in 
Yorkshire, Eng., in 1835; they have seven children now living— Olive E., Battle, 
Lama. Minnie, Benjamin F., Arthur J. ami Joseph D. 

M \i;< I S KAHN Mason City. The Bubject of thi< memoir was born in Wur- 
temberg, Germany, March i't. 1848; at '_' years ol with his parents, emi- 

I to America, and located at Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., 111., in 1850; here his 
father, Morits Kahn, engaged in mercantile pursuits until ls.">i!. when ho removed hi> 

le to Lincoln, where be ■ 1 in mercantile pursuits until 1866, at which 

time he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided several years, and about the 

1870, returned to Lincoln, when hi- decease occurred Aug. 24, 1876; his widow 
died -' 1878. Marcus Kahn attended the common and graded schools at Lin- 
coln, and completed his education by a tenri at the Commercial College, at Cincinnati . 
his mercantile education was obtained in the store of his father, after which, in 1868 
be opened in the clothing trade at Harvard. McBenry <"". 111., continuing the 
until July, 1870, when he removed his stock to Mason ''ity. and continued the same 
business until duly. 1879, and i- now engaged in the well-known banking-house of V 
\ Smith \ Co. Bis marriage with Anna Rothschild was celebrated in Petersburg, 

id Co., in October, 1876, at which place her birth occurred in 1857; they hive 
one child by this union — Julius M. Mrs. Kahn was a daughter of M - - Rothschild, 
one of theearlj pioneers of Menard Co 

OTBO S. KING, Cashier First National Bank, Mason City; the subject of this 
sketch was born in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Penn., dune l':;. 1846, where he obtained 
his academical and commercial education, graduating from the I>ull Commercial 

it Pittsburgh, at 20 years of age; in the fall of 1866 he came to Illinois, and was 

jed in the banking business in Fulton Co. until Aug. 1">. 1871, at whioh date the 
National Hank of Mason Ci d, and Mr. Kim: accepted the off 

which « .tli i he has since held. Bis marriage with Alice B Bliss was 
el.rated Jan. 3, 1 ^7_! ; -he w.i- a native ■>{ Lewistown, Full 'ti Co., 111.; they have one 
child by tin- union Royal Elliott 

II T LEWIN, merchant, dealer in . provisions, glass and queensware, 
• tc . N l t-"ii City. Tin- gentleman whose name head- this Bketoh was born in Km 

land, \ t, u) the 29th of October, 1848; when 7 years of age. he removed with his 

parents to 8tookbridge, and ii tered in the merchandise kmoa 

Brown with whom he remained tn I the kindness of Mr Brown, Mr. Lewin 

iiitu.lt' for his interest manifested in hi- education, devoting all his 
le did instructing and educating his young clerk ; and. from this gentle- 
man, Mr. Lewis received hi- first toward his education. At 10 years ol 

he removed with his rati Ltland, V*t . and. having made sufficient advancement, 

he entered the high school, which he attended for tin II then clerked three 

- in the drj j tods trade, after which, he was in business for himself three years in 



MASON fJITT TOWNSHIP. 793 

Whitehall and Fort Edward, N. Y., and upon the 3d of November, 1866, landed in 
Mason City, and, the following Biz months, was engaged in school-teaching. He then 
made a visit to his old home, and, in the fall of 1867, returned to Mason City, and, for 
one year, engaged in clerking, etc. The following year, he was engaged as Superin- 
tendent of the Griswold Opera House Restaurant and Billiard Hall, being the largest 
in the city of Troy, N. Y. ; he then won to Rutland, Vt.. and. until 1873, was engaged 
in business for himself, at which date, he again came to Mason City, and, until May, 
1879, was engaged in the billiard business and sale of wines, liquors, cigars, etc. ; and, in 
the summer of L879, refitted bis store and placed in a new, full and complete stock of 
groceries, previsions, etc. Upon June 111, 1871, he was commissioned, byGlov. Stewart, 
Captain of Co. H, of the 2d Regiment of the Vermont State .Militia; be held the above 
commission until Sept. 20,1872, when he was commissioned Major of the 3d Regiment 
Vermont State .Militia, holding the same until he came i<» Mason City, when he resigned. 
In September, 1878, he organized the Modoc Tribe. No. 14 Improved Order of Red 
Men, and received a charter from the Great Council of the I'. S. in 1879. He was 
the first Sachem of the same, and, in June, 187!». was elected by tie' Great Council of 
the State as representative to the Great Council of the U. S., to be held in New York, 
Sept. 9, 1879 ; he also holds the office of Deputy Sachem (of the State I of this Order. 
His marriage with Frances A. Weatherly was celebrated Aug. 28, 1867; she was born 
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., April 25, 1819; they were the parents of two children, of 
whom one died in infancy; the living Libbie was born in 1870. 

JAMES LEGG, retired farmer, .Mason City ; one of the old settlers ; born in 
Fayette Co., Iud.,in the year 1816. He followed agricultural pursuits in Indiana until 
1855, when he located in Allen's Grove Township, Mason Co.. III., and purchased 280 
acres of land to which he afterward added until he had upward of 501) acre's, and upon 
which he lived until Sept. 16, 1873, when he located in his present residence in Mason 
City, where he has since lived, retired from active labor, but personally superintends the 
management of his farms. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Vilura Corwin, 
also a native of Indiana ; they have one child by this union — Euphemia, widow of 
Edward Craig, whose biography also appears in this work. Mr. Legg was Supervisor 
of Allen's Grove Township five years, and Justice of the Peace twelve years in succession. 

THOMAS N. MEHAN, attorney at law, State's Attorney, Mason City. The 
.subject of this memoir was born in the city of New York April 1, 1844 ; he emigrated 
West when 12 years of age. and located near Delavan, Tazewell Co , and followed farm- 
ing until he attained his majority, receiving for his nine years' services $100. He then 
entered the Lombard University at Galesburg, and attended one term. The following 
six years, he engaged in school-teaching and improving every spare hour for his own 
study ; he commenced the study of his profession with Roberts & Green, at Pekin, in 
L866, was admitted to practice at the bar in July. 1868.. After following his profession 
in Delavan a short time, he removed to Pekin, where he practiced until 1875 . was City 
Attorney one year, received the nomination for the second, but would not accept. In 
the spring of 1875, be came to Mason City, and has a large practice with a constantly 
increasing business from year to year. In the fall of 1875, he was elected District 
State's Attorney for four years. Mr. Mehan is one of our self-educated and self-made 
men in every respect, and has. by his continued energy and perseverance, placed him- 
self among the first of his profession in Mason Co.. and we expect for him a bright 
future. His marriage with Emily F. Stranbridge was celebrated dan. 2, l s 72; she 
was a native of Pennsylvania; they have three children — Sarah Ftta. Willie M. and 
Benjamin A. 

.1. I!. McDOWELL, pbysican and surgeon, Mason City ; born in Bedford Co., Penn., 
Feb. 22. 1818; his literary education was completed at the Bedford Academy. He 
commenced the study of medicine at 19 years of age, and graduated from the State Med- 
ical School at St. Louis in 1-4 1. He then located in Lewistown, Fulton Co.. where he 
successfully followed his profession for a period of twenty-eight year-. In 1871, he 
located at Mason City, where he has since successfully followed his profession. In 
L 850, he entered liiii acres of land one-half mile west of where Mason City now 



794 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Btands II' has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having 1 d ;i member of 

the Church fur many yean In 1849, he was anited in marriage with Sarah W. I; 

She waa a daughter of Dr. E. D. Rice, oi f the old Bettlera of Pulton Co., and a 

practicing physician of Lewistown for Dearly fiftj Mr. and Mre McDowell were 

the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy; the other is now farming in 
Mason Co. Mrs McDowell died April 30, I 

I,. NAYLOR, grocer, GrmofNaylor B - provisions, etc, Mason City; 

born in Adair Co., Ky . April 21, 1834; at 1 year of age he emigrated to Qlinoia 
with his parents, and located in M< rgan Co., and, after a residence of five years, be 

to Virginia City, where be attended the graded schools until he obtained hi- 
majority. He then followed fanning two years in Minnesota, and returned t I 
and was engaged in business until 1862, when be engaged as steward ami teacher at the 
Institution for the Blind, at Jacksonville, until 1867, at which date he, with his brother, 
came to Mason City and a the above business, which they have since su< 

fully followed for a period of twelve years, and arc the oldest continuous firm in their 
line in Mason City. Hi- marriage with Lydia C. White was in 1862. They bave 
tour ehildi M anie K. Mattie E., Frederick L and an infant. Mr. Nayloi 
filled the "flic of Alderman forthe Third Ward one term, and Mayor of Mason Citj 
two terms, 

K. .). ONSTOTT, l ks and stationery, Mason City; proprietor of the M 

City Book Store, and dealer in pianos, -organs, sewing machines, etc. ; hum in Menard 
Co . III., in Decen ber, 1830. When 9 years of age be removed from Salem to Peters- 
burg, where he lived until 1845. Be then followed farming in Mason Co. five y< 
when be removed to Havana, where he followed clerking until the breaking-out of the 
rebellion in 1861, when be assisted in raising a company for the 27th 1. V. I Be 

then appointed mail-route agent upon the P., P. & -I I!. K . holding this position 
two years. He was then engaged as olerk in Peoria and Pekin until 1871, and thetwo 
following, "ii account of ill health, he was unable to attend to business. In 1-7 1 
In came to Mason City, and, in 1875, purchased of John Danby his business, which 
he has sii -finly followed. Bis business card appears in the Directory of Mason 

City, in this work. The rather of R. J.Onstottwas Henry Onstott, who emigrated from 

Kentucky and located in Menard Co. in 1824. Mr. Ooatott Was married to Martha H. 

Hudson in January, 1864 She is a daughter of J. P. Hudson, one of our early pio- 
neers, whose .-ketch appears in this work. They bave one child by this union. Mr. 
Onstott i- Republican, and assisted in organising the first Union League in the 

Unit : t Pekin, and from this sprang all the Union Leagues of the loyal Si 

JOHN POWERS, ('inner: P.O. Mason City; one of the early pioneei 
M ton Co.; horn in city of Waterford, Ireland. June l v . 1829. At - years of age he 
came, with his parents, to St John, N. B., living there three years; then five years in 
New York City; then to the West Indies for four years, from which place he shipped 
with his uncle as sailor, and followed the sea nearly .»i\ years. In the spring of 1849, 
be came to Chicago, and the following January came to Mason Co . and. in the spring 
of 1851, purchased fort] seven scree of lit- present farm, upon which he located in 

1855, and where he has lived for a fourth of a century. He now own- !'.'!."> acre- with 

farm buildings, which he has made h\ his own hard labor. His marriage with 

B. Sbeplee brated in Lincoln, 111., May 30, 1855. She was horn in 

Scott Co., I'enii.. I »• ' 27, 1836, Three children by this union- Joan of Arc. fom 

9, 1856; Mary C, born Oct. 8, 1857, died Jan 19, I860, and Marj K. born 

The oldest daughter is married, and lives three miles i -• I Mason 

<'ity. the younger daughter living at home. 

ROYAL W. PORTER deo ised . merchant and hank.r. Mason City; one of 
the old settlers ; born in Gallia Co., Ohio, in 1833; he obtained a fair common-school 
education, and, in 1853, came to Illinois, and. in 1855, to Crane Creek Town-hip. 
M a. Co., and tattled upon eighty acres of land, and. in L859, oame to Mason City 
and engaged in the merchandise trade, under the firm name ,,f Burst A Porter.. In 
he raised Co. C, 27th Kegt. 1 \ I . waa elected Second Lieutenant, and, with 



MASON CITY TOWNSHIP. 7'.»- r > 

his regiment, went forward to battle for the Union, leaving his partner managing the 
merchandise trade at home; in August, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant, 
from which time he acted as Captain a large part of the time ; at the battle of Stone 
River, while acting as Captain, he so distinguished himself that liis company unani- 
mously resolved to present bim an elegant sword and belt, appropriately inscribed, which 
he held in grateful remembrance up to the time of his death. In April, 1<S(J4, he 
mastered out of the service ami returned to Mason City, and bought out his partner; 
in ISliT. he associated with (J. 11. Campbell, under the firm name of Campbell i Porter, 
and did an extensive banking and exchange business, in connection with their merchan- 
dise trade ; in 1871, they organized the First National Bank of Mason City, with R. W. 
Porter as Vice President; he soon after organized the firm of Et. VY. Porter & Co., of 
which he was the head formally years. The success and prosperity of Mason City 
owes as much to the efforts of Mr. Porter as to that of any man in the county. In 
1855, he was united in marriage with Martha H. Baker; she was horn in 1836; f"'ir 
children were the fruits of this union — Laura L., Walter R., Jessie and Otho B. Mr. 
Porter was a member of the Mason City Lodge, No. t03, A., F. & A. M.| Chapter 
86, K. A. M.. and a Knight Templar. His death occurred May 16, 1879. While 
training a colt, he became entangled in the carriage; the colt ran away, and Mr. Porter 
was dragged a mile, and, when reached, life was extinct. 

DAVID POWELL, banker (firm of F. N. Smith & Co.), Mason City; one of 
the early pioneers of Mason City; was b >rn in Knox Co., Ohio, in the year 1830 ; at 
5 years of age he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located in Menard Co. two 
years. They then located in Fulton Co., where he was raised to farm labor, until 17 
years of age, at which time he commenced the blacksmith trade, following the same 
four years. In 1852, he went by ox teams overland to California, where he arrived, 
after a tedious journey of four months; after following his trade, in connection with 
mining, for upward of three years, he returned to Mason Co., and the following three 
years engaged in farming and working at his trade. In 1859, he came to Mason City 
and was engaged in blacksmithing until 1864, when he associated in the general mer- 
chandise trade with A. A. Cargill, and continued the same until 1871, during which 
time they purchased the lot and erected the building now occupied by Cargill & Swing ; 
from 1872 to 1874, he was associated with E. M.Sharp in the general merchandise 
trade, and, at the latter date, on account of ill health, severed his connection with the 
mercantile trade, and, after spending the summer at Delaware Bay, returned to Mason 
City, and, upon Dec. 20, 1874, associated with F. N. Smith, in the hanking business, 
which they have since successfully followed, their business card appearing among the 
business cards of Mason City, in another part of this work. His marriage with Mary 
A Cox was celebrated in 1800 ; she died March 16, 1877, leaving four children — 
Clara, Arthur. Laura and Flora. 

J. REISINOKB. brick manufacturer, butcher and ice dealer, firm of Reisinger & 
Dietrich. Mason ( Sty ; born in Perry Co., Penn., July 15, 1833 ; raised to agricultural pur- 
suits until 20 years of age; he then followed farming, carpentering and running a saw-mill 
until 1858, when be came to Mason Co. and located where Mason City now stands, 
when there were but two houses here ; he is consequently one of the oldest settlers; he 
engaged in carpentering and contracting until 18(i~, the last three years of which he was 
associated with his present partner. In 1 867, they engaged in the manufacture of brick ; 
in 1870, they engaged in the ice business, and in September, 1878, they also engaged 
in the butcher business, and are conducting all of the above branches of trade. His 
marriage with Kmilv LeighncT was celebrated Feb. 20, 1876 ; she was born in Snyder 
Co., Penn., in L841. 

B. A. RO&EBROUGH, farmer; P. O. Mason City; one of the early settle-, of 
Mason Co.; born in Champaign Co., Ohio, April 16, 1832; when 17 years of age, he 
came to Illinois, and located in Mason Co. in June. 1849 : in 1850, he commenced the 
carpenter's trade, which he followed until elected County Treasurer, when he removed 
to Havana and resided during his term of office, and until 1871, at which date he located 
upon his present place in Mason City Township, where he has since lived. He was the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

■ 1 Supervisor of this township, was I Again in L875, and has since held the 

above office for four yean ; has also held the offices of Justice of the Peace and other 
petty offices, and is the present Democratic candidate for the office of County Treasurer. 
He was united in marriag N 20 356, with .M;iri;i L. Tomlin; she died March •;, 
L 873, leaving five children— B I. Cora K. Benajah'A., Frank and Maria 1! 

II married, for bis second wife, Mrs. Anna A S tea, daughter of Abram Swing, 
upon the 28th of September, 1876; one child by this union— Frederick S Mr 
ttled in Mason City in 1858, where he followed his trade until 1 B65, and 
purchased building 1< -t s at the first sale, held in 1858 

S. ROBERTSON, retired farmer, Mason City. Among the Bettlers of M 
I f 1851, we find the gentleman whose name beads this sketch ; he was born April 
7 1818, in Kentucky . in the fall of 1836, he located in Morgan Co., Hi., and fol- 
lowed farming until 1851, when he sold bis farm, and followed teaming and farming, 
r i • .ii Havana, until L854, when he purchased eighty acres of his present place, and, 
in I v ."f-. located upon the Bpot where he now lives, just outside the limits of the corpor- 
ation of Mason City, which be has watched spring J r< -m the prairie, until it is now i 
(it\ iif upward of 2,000 inhabitants, and reaches the boundary of his farm; he now 
owns upward of 100 acres, in Mason and Tazewell Cos., and, by hi- bard labor and 
correct business habits, bas become one of the large landholders and successful farmers 
iif Mason Co. His marriage with Martha L. Jones was celebrated Dec. 10, 1848; Bhe 
was bora iu Virginia March .">. 1831, They were the parents of five children, of whom 
three are now living — George S., born <>ct. 28, 1852; William. Deo. 26, L864, and 

. A . Oct 17. 1866; <it' the dec died in infanoy, the other, Kli/.i B., 

was born Aug. 1. 1857, and died Oct. ■_'•">. I : 

F. V SMITH, banker, firm of I". N Smith & Co., Mason City. The sub- 
ject of this memoir was bora in Wurtemberg, Germany, upon the 29th of August, 
1841. At 1- months of age, he emigrated with his parents to America, and located in 
II" ii l l >hio; here he was raised to farm labor, obtaining ■ good academical edu- 
oatioc, until 18 years of age; he dun followed school-teaching two winters, and upon 
enlisted in Co. D, 128th Ohio V, I., and went forward to battle for « h«- 
Union; after serving in the Union army two years and nine months, he was mustered 
nut of service, and returning home, eng tlerk in the drug business for eighteen 

months In L867, he opened ■ drug store at Bluffton, Ohio, Belling <>ut in 1868 ami 
coming to Illinois; located si Minier, Tasewell Co., where he associated in the drug 
trade with .1 . J. Strome, continuing the same for two yean. In the spring of 1870, he 
with his partner, located in Mason City, under the firm name of Smith & Strome, and 
for three years continued doing the largest drug trade of Mason Co. In 1873, they 
sold out tn Dr. Dunn, and Mr. Smith opened a drug Btore at Lincoln, which he disj 
of after six months and returned to Mason City, and upon Dec 20, 1874, a — listed 
with David Powell in the general banking business, which they have sinoe successfully 
followed. A card of their business will be found in the Director) of Mason City, in 
another part of this work. 

II \MILT<iN TIBBETS, firm of Ironmonger & Tibbeta, millers, Mason City; 

born iu Shenandoah Co. \ Dec 11. 1818; he was raised upon a farm until 28 

luring which time he learned and worked at the refinery trade seven 

years; in 1846, be removed to Maryland sod followed refining and coal mining some 

nine years, when be returned to Virginia and followed different branches of bus 

until L859, wln-n h.- came to Illinois and located at Lincoln, I. l where his fain- 

resides; in 1872, i 1 with his present partner and Mr. Johnson in 

the milling business in Mason City, and has since continued the same business under 

different tirm names, the present tirm. however, having been together Binoe 1872 tie 

u.i^ married, in 1844, t i Wiermau; Bhe was bora in P they have 

n now living -Benjamin, engineer of the mill. 

W. I' THOMPSON, furniture dealer and undertake! Mason City ; born in Rich- 
mond C N V I'. I. 18,183 i to Illinois in 1859 and located in Logan [ 

in farming until 1871, when be removed i" Mason City in June, L873, be 



MASON CITY TOWN8HIP. 797 

purchased an interest in the above business of 'f. J. Watkins, and carried on the same 
under the firm Dame of Watkins & Thompson until 1878, when he purchased the 
interest of his partner, since which time he has conducted the business under bis nun 
name; in 1874, he erected his three-story brick building, the whole of which is occu 
pied by his business, ami which is niie of the finest in town. 

JOSEPH TAYLOR, retired tanner. Mason City; was born in Barren Co., Ky., 
Aug. I'd, 181!); he went to Pike Co., Intl., in October, 1836; at the age of In. he was 
left an orphan with no friends that could be of any pecuniary advantage to him. there- 
fore he had to look out for himself in procuring a livelihood ; early in life, lie became 
an expert rider of running horses, and did a great ileal of it. always to win ; has ridden 
but few races since he came to Mason Co. ; he came hen' in April. 1851. He married 
Lucinda Eouchin May 16, 1838; she was bom in Edmonson Co., Ky., Oct. 2. 182] 
when they married they were not worth a dollar, hut they were young and vigorous 

and together they determined to win or die, and bent their united energies to L r 1 

purpose, and now are among the most prosperous in worldh goods of the early Bottlers 
of Mason Co.; they have had ten children, viz., Benjamin \\\. bom Oct. 20. 1840 
John J., Jan. 29, 1842 ; William D., Maid, 15, 1843, died March 28 following; 
Malinda lv. born April 23, 1844; Lucy A., Feb. 1,1846; Joseph A., March 21, 
1848, died Sept. 10, 1851; Georgia A., born July 4, 1850 ; Melissa J., June 19, 
1853; Reason A., Dec. 10. 1S54, died July 20. 180'J, and Charles E., hern Feb. 14, 
1861, died Jan. 17 following. Mr. Taylor moved to Mason City in 1860, and kept a 
livery stable a year or two, and was Assessor some eight years ; virtually he has retired 
from business; a few years since, he owned 1,250 acres of land in this county, but has 
given here and there to children, so that now he has only 480 acres, a good home and 
eighteen lots in Mason City. Since they married have never broken housekeeping, and 
he has never belonged to any order or organization. 

D. W. VICKERY, farmer, Sec. ; P. < > Mason City ; the subject of this memoir 
was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., upon the 28th of February, 1838; be was raised to 
agricultural pursuits until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he was one of the 
first to respond to the call for soldiers to suppress the same, enlisting April 23, 1801. in 
the 12th N. V. V. 1., and went forward to battle for the Union : he was in many 
severe battles, among which we mention both battles of Bull Run. battle of Fredericks- 
burg, the Peninsular campaign ; at the battle of Malvern Hill be was wounded in the 
chin, but continued on duty until the expiration of his service, rcceivim: his discharge 
in May. 1863; in December, following; he re-enlisted in the 15th X. Y. V. C, and 
served until the close of the war, serving under Gens. Custer and Sheridan; upon the 
night previous to the surrender of Gen. Lee. he received a wound in the right shoulder 
by a minie ball, from which he has and still continues to suffer severely, and for which 
he draws a pension; he received bis discharge July 1, 1865, having served in the 
Union army marly four years. He is one of our Btrong Republicans in polities, having 
never been made to Bee why he should not vote as he fought. After receiving his dis- 
charge, he returned to New York and followed tannine until 1868, when he came to 
Mason Co. and located one mile northeast of Mason City, where he . has a pleasant 
home of forty acres, with good buildings, and which was obtained at an expense, 
including buildings and improvements, of upward of $100 per acre. Upon Jan. 30, 
6, he was united in marriage with N. Ellen Garrett; she was born in Onondaga 
t'o.. \. V.. duly 27. 1843; they have two children by this union — Battie B., born 
April 1. 1867, and Una A.. June 10. 1871. 

.1. II. WANDELL, Ma9on City; one of the early Bottlers of Mason Go.; pro- 
prietor of the St. Nicholas Hotel and Livery Stable. Mason City. We live to eat and 
eat to live; therefore, to point out a good hotel, IS an act of kindness to be appreciated 
by the hungry traveler. Of the St. Nicholas it can be said with truth, that in quality 
and variety of fare it is not excelled by any house on the Jacksonville Division of the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, south of Bloomington. J. 11. Wandell, the gentlemanly 
oprietor, was born in Luzerne Co.. IVnn.. April 13, l s 2n : in curly life, he learned 
the molder's trade, which he followed, in connection with farming, boating, etc., etc., 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

until 1 - lit. when he oameto Dlinoia md located in Mason Co.; lie tir.-t engaged in running 
a -i w mill in Quiver Township, and, in L850, entered 160 acres of lend in Pennsylvania 
Township, in Mason Co.; inl S .~>1 ,he returned to Pennsylvania, and the following year, came 
back, and probably through the influence of Mr. Wandell, came a large part of the sett! 
Pennsylvania Township*; in 1853, he had charge of a set of men and assisted in building 
the C & A. K. I! . and, in tin- tall of the same year, erected a bouse upon hi- land into 
which he removed and oommenoed improving his place ; upon the 2d of July, l--.">.. 
bis house was destroyed l>_v fire, ami he again rebuilt and lived upon hie ['lac- until the 

-«• of his wife, after which he engaged in breaking prairie and selling patent rights 
until 1864, when he cam.' to Mason City, and exchanged eighty acres of hie farm for the 
Sherman House corner . he then engag< d in the butcher businese until the tall of 1 - 
he then t<>"k charge of a gang of men ami assisted in grading this division of the U A 
\ It. It. until the tall of 1867; in August of the year 1867, he purchased his present 
hotel, and, after running the same one year, rented it until April 20, 1877, when he 
session of the hotel, which In- baa Binoe successfully run in connection 
with hi-* Btable; he has since erected a large, commodious brick sample-room forth* 
of commercial travelers, from whom he has hia full Bhare of patronage. Upon Jan. 8, 
1852, he was united in marriage with Sarah K. De Pugh; she died Dec 30, 16 
they had one child, which died in infancy; <m Dec. 30, 1865, he was united in mar- 
riage to Christiana A Benscoter; Bhe was born in Luzerne Co., Penn . March28.1846. 

WILLIAM WALKER, farmer ; P. 0. Mason City; born in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, in April. 1829 or 1830; he was a Bon of Robert Walker, who emigrated t<> 
America about 1836 and located in Belmont Co., Ohio; in 1862, he located in Mason 
I where he died in December, 1869; his wife died in Ohio, in April, 1858. Will- 
iam Walker lived with different parties from 7 years of age until Oct. 16, L856, when 
he was united in marriage with Elisabeth Jarvis, in Lincoln, Logan Co., 111.; she waa 
hum in < rreenbrier Co., W. ^ a., « >.-i. :;i . 1 839, and came to < ►hio with her p ir< ats when 7 
they were the psrenta of nine children of whom two are now living — 
Mary I and Anniafa !'».. the deceased were Eliza P., born July 23, 1 V .V.'. died May 12, 
1866; Charles P., born June B, 1861, died Peb. 22, L862 ; Thomas J., born July 1 J. 
1865, died March 30, 1867; William \ '.. born Nov. 16, L867, died Aug. 26, 1869; 

it M died in infancy; George B P., born Jan. -'■'>. 1871, died Nov. 20, l v 77 ; 
Elisabeth L., born April l':;. 1876, died Nov. 18, 1877, the latter two dying within 
forty-eight hours of each other. Mr. Walker located in Mason Co. in 1861 ; in I : 
he purchased eight) acres of land and now owns 165 acres and is out of debt, having 

accumulated all of the above by bis own hard labor snd g I business management, in 

which be ha- hem oobly assisted by hi- amiable wife. Mr. Walker has shown a d< . 
of energj and perseverance in accomplishing what he has. under the trying afflictions 
of sickness and death, which have been visited upuu hi- family, which is well worthy of 
imitation by the young men of the present d ly. 

J. T. W ATKINS, deceased; born in Ross Co.. Ohio, March 5, 1834; in early 
life, he learned the carpenter's trade and for several yearefollowed contracting and build- 
moved to New Holland, and, in 1862, raised a company tor the 90th 
Ohio V I. and Captain two years; received hi- discharge on account of dis- 

ability ; he afterward served as Adjutant of the 155th Regt Ohio National Guards; in 
1864, he located in Champaign Co., 111.; in July, 1866, came to Mason Citj 

• d in the furniture business, conducting the same with different partners until 1878, 
when he disposed of hi- business and retired from active labor; be was the first Mayor 
■ •!' New Holland, Ohio, and also the tir.-t Mayor of Mason City, which office he held at 
tin- time of hi- decease, being the sixth year. He died April !'•">. 1878; the funeral 
waa held at the Presbyterian Church, at which ■ large concourse of friends and dtisens 
assembled; the . n was formed aa follows: Mason City Light Guard Band, 

M m City snd Havana Military Companies, hears.', pell-bearers and relatives, City 
Council, etc, etc ,the last -ad rites being performed by the Msson City Lodge, No. in:;. A . 
I a A M. He was married, in 1855, t" Sarah Marot, of Ohio ; two children now 
living -Elmer E. and Gra 



MASON' (MTV TOWNSHIP- 799 

J. S. WILBURN, farmer; P.O. Mason City; one of the early pioneers of 
Illinois and Mason Co.; born in Cumberland Co., Ky., Aug. 25, 1805; in 1820, he 
came to Illinois and located twelve miles west of Springfield, in what is now Sangamon 
Co.,wberehe lived several years; he then followed lead mining in (iulena several years 
in 1830, he went to Chicago and purchased the corner where the Tremont Eonse now 
stands, for $61, and, two years later, sold the same for $li(M); in 1831, he located at 
Beardstown and engaged in merchandising, milling, pork-packing, running flat-boats to 
New Orleans, freighting his own goods down and back, having branch stores both in 
New Orleans and at Galena ; he continued in this business eleven years; he then fol- 
lowed the merchandise trade at Springfield and Pekin, and erected and ran a flour-mill 
in Peoria Co., and, in 1846, came to Mason Co. and engaged in hotel-keeping and mer- 
chandise trading in the town of Hath; in 1S4S, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit 
Court of Mason Co., which office he held for eight years; he was then Master of Chan- 
cery several years, and, in 1861, removed upon his present place, where he has since 
lived. Mr. Wilbourne took an active part in the old Black Hawk war of 1831-32, 
and erected the first fort, which was located near La Salle, and was named in honor of 
its builder, Fort Wilbourne; he also took up the first boat-load of provisions up the 
Illinois River from St. Louis to his fort, and from which place the soldiers received 
their provisions, etc. ; he was commissioned, by Gov. Reynolds, as Captain of Volun- 
teers, which office he held during the war; during his residence in Cass Co. he wa> 
County Judge many years, aside from other military and civil offices Mr. Wilbourne 
has been in active life for a period of fifty years; he has suffered all the hardships and 
privations of frontier life, and, at the advanced age of 75 years, is in possession of all 
of his faculties; he has suffered greatly the last few years on account of the loss of one 
of his limbs. He was united in marriage, in 1837, with Anna Dale; she was born in 
Kentucky; they have two sons and two daughters now living, viz., Belle, Sarah A., 
John and Edward. 

JOSEPH C. WARNOCK, editor, Mason City; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Jan. 
16, 184(1, and, in the fall of 1850, emigrated, with his parents, to Illinois, and settled 
in Salt Creek Township, Mason Co., and has been a resident of the county ever since; 
he was reared to farm life, and pursued that avocation till about nine years ago ; he 
obtained his education under the difficulties and unfavorable circumstances which sur- 
rounded the pioneers of the county, and mostly by his own unaided efforts, pursuing 
his studies into the " dead of night," after the day's farm work was done; he com- 
menced teaching school at the age of 1!*, which he pursued — with the exception of 
the winter following — for five consecutive winter terms. Having married, he settled, in 
1861, at Big (jlrove, Salt Creek Township, where he resided until 1871, during which 
time he was elected to and served as Town Clerk, Tax Collector and County Surveyor; 
the latter he resigned after a little over a year's service; in the spring of 1871. he 
bought a half-interest in the Mason City News, whioh was then changed to Indepen 
<tent, assumed editorial charge, which positi >n — with the exception of a year at Havana, 
as editor of the Mason County Democrat,he has held ever sine' and now holds. \.i 
the session of the Legislature in 1S77. Gov. Culloin appointed him one of the three 
Trustees of the Illinois Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, which position he now 
holds. During his residence in Mason City, he has held the office of City Clerk 
oral terms, and, at the last election, was elected Mayor, whieh office he now holds. 

J. A. WALKER, physician and surgeon, Mason City. Among the foremost in 
his profession in Mason City is Dr. J. A. Walker, who is also one of the pioneers of 
the place; he was born in Cass Co., 111., in 1833 ; he commenced the study of his pro 
fessioo in 1856, with Dr. J. P. Walker, at the -rove whieh bears his name; in L857 58 
he attended the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and, in the spring of L858, com- 
menced the practice of medicine at Mason City, and has been in continued practice in 
this place, with the exception of one year since the above date, during a period of 
twenty-one years, and is one of the oldest practicing physicians of Mason City, and hi> 
large and lucrative practice is conclusive evidence that he stands in the front ranks of 
his profession in Mason Co. During the period from 1867 to 1870, he was engaged 



BOO BIOGRAPHICAL BKBTCHE8 

in the drug trade in connection with his practice, hut in DO instance <liil hi allow tin 
mercantile branoh to interfere with his professional duties; In' is a member of the S 
Medical Society, and Secretary of the Brainard Medical Society, which u eompoi 
the medical profession of Mason and adjoining oonntiea Sis marriage with Eli 
Hani- was celebrated in 1862; she was born in McDonongb ('".. 111., in 1842. w 
Dr. Walker located here in the spring of L858, there was hut one family living where 
M ion City now stands; he has witnessed the remarkable growth of a city of upward 
of 2,000 inhabitants, embracing hundreds of acres within its corporate limits. 

WILLIAM WARNOCK, Jr., Mason City ; was hum Oct. 2, 1833, near Bain- 
bridge, B I Ohio. The Warnock family were once inhabitants of the North of 
Ireland, bat have been in this country since the beginning of the present century. 
They were a long-lived ami hardy race, and it is narrated that the grandfather of Will- 
iam, dr.. was ihe only one out of a thousand troops at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1812, that 
could lift the breech of a cannon. William Warnock. Sr., was born On the same farm 
when his BOO William first saw the light. His wife, whose maiden name WSS Harriet 
Foung, was B native of Ohio, and they were married Jan. 1. 1833, When he 

ears of age, William, dr.. left the farm and went into a country store at Walker's 
Grove with bis uncle; after two years, he removed t" Hiawatha, in the same township; 
after one year here, he -"Id out and came to Mason City. In the summer of 1859, he 
applied himself to the study of medicine with Dr. d. < . Patterson, and attended lec- 
tures in I860 til at Rush Medical College. At this point in his life he determined to 
leave hi- profession and devote hi- time and abilitj to business : he went into a - 
with Cortes Hume- on the corner now occupied by I. Muck, corner of Chest 

nut and Tonics after three yens, he was admitted into partnership and con- 

tinued in this business until 1868, when the firm Bold to Andrew- A; Griffith, ami di>- 
Bolved. In addition to their mercantile hn-im .-.-. II mm.- & Warnock carried on an 

extensive exchange and banking office, and were the first hanker- in Mason City, and 
did the largest business in that line dene iii Mason Co. During the war. this firm 
never refused credit to the families of soldiers, and when they could not get trusted f.i 
what they needed, tiny were always certain of accommodation there. When the town 
.i Creek was drafted, Mr. Warnock was among the number to furnish mdnej to 
fill up the quota. I>urin'_ r some of these year.-, tin- town "f M - City was nearly 

rted by physicians, who were in the army; and then the early study and knowli 
of medicine became • aceedingly useful to Mr. Warnock, and he was enabled to relieve 
many suffering persons by his professional assistance; he practiced in many families, 
and amon- then some of the mosl eminent in the place In 1862, be was placed on 
the Democratic ticket as candidate for County Superintendent of Side Mils, and was elected 
to his second public office — bis first being that of Postmaster at Walker's Grove. Many 
teachers in Mason Co. received their first certificates from Mr Warnock. among them 
Mr. S M. Badger, the present County Superintendent Be was naturally inclined to 
mathematical Btudies and in measuring corn by cribs was the first to introduce the 
measurement of 3,800 cnbic inches t . . the bushel; he proved this formula by weight 
and measurement, and need to be very often called upon to measure cribs and estimate 
their contei S far, Mr. Warnock I i through life with vigorous health of 

mind and body, bat not without experiencing some of the vicissitudes of fortune; he 
has handled large amounts of money and did much to | remote the pecuniary interests of 
Citj hi has i more than $20,000 in making permanent improvements 

in the place. In what* P circumstances, financially, Mr. Warnock has been 

times or trying times, he has always maintained the reputation of in 
honorable, honest man. 



KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP 801 



KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN C. ADE, former; P. 0. Kilbourne; was born in Norick, Wartemberg 

Germany, July 26, 1824; son of Michael Ade, whose wife's name prior to her man 
was Barbara Ceh. John was 32 years of age before he left home, at which time he 
emigrated to this country; he came first to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he remain. id 
three years employed as gardener ; from there he went to Middletown and stayed one 
year, and from there to Berlin, Sangamon Co., where he farmed five years. May 6, 
1ST) l. lie married Nancy Chliehtes, who was born in Neckarweimgben Ludwigsburg, 
Wurteniberg, March 22, 1833; they have nine children living — Mollie, Nannie, I 
line, Julia, Charles, Rosa, Lizzie, Harry and Willie. In September. 1859, he moved 
to this county and located where he now resides, on Section 34, and has now eighty-six 
acres of land, which he has cleared and earned by "hard knocks," economy and good 
management. 

E. JJ. BIGELOW, grain-dealer, Kilbourne. Prominent among the business men 
of this township is Mr. Bigelow, who came to this township the day previous to its birth 
as a town, and his since been a resident and identified with its interests ; he was born 
in Livingston Co.. N. Y., Dec. 30, 1834 ; son of Henry Bigelow: his grandfather par- 
ticipated in the battles of the Revolution; at the age of 10, E. II. moved with his 
parents to Indiana and remained there a few years, afterward moving to Wisconsin . 
then he spent several years traveling; was all through the Southwest and journeyed the 
the entire length of Texas astride a mule; in 1868, he came to this State, and. in 1870, 
to this township, the day previous to the sale of the town lots. March 31, 1876 
married Miss Sarah Marshall, who was born June 19, 1843 ; she is a native of Birming- 
ham, England ; they have three children — Emma. Fannie and Charles. Since the 
railroad has been built, he has been the company's agent and an energetic and thorough 
business man; he is a member of Havana Lodge and Chapter. 

WILLIAM BRENT, farmer; P.O. Havana; was born in Yorkshire. England, 
Aug. 31, 1842 ; the son of Robert Brent, who came to this country in October, 1864 
and, like many others, lodged in Mason Co.. where he has been a resident ever since 
In January, 1870, he married Mrs. Martha Qanline; two children have been born from 
this union — Harry, Nov. 16, 1871; Stella, April 29, 1874. He is engaged in farming 
and always has been, and is striving to make an honest living and hopes by attention to 
his business and exercising economy to attain a competency for his declining years. 

BARNEY BOYLE, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne. Among the representatives of 
the Emerald Isle who have located in this county and have attained success and are 
-elf-made, is the name of Barney Boyle, who claim- County Antrim. Ireland, as his 
birthplace, and 1828 as the year of his birth ; in 1849, he emigrated to America, and. 
later, made his way to Jersey Co.. and then to Whitehall, < ireene Co., where he worked 
as a farm hand for several years; in 1850, he made Ins way to this county and worked 
by the month until 1854, when he rented land, anil, in April, 1859, married Prances 
Raymond ; they have had nine children, seven now living — Barry, Katie. Fannie. 
Barney, Lizzie, John and Frank. In 1878, he bought out John Lee. who had a well- 
improved farm, and he is now the sole possessor of f>7ti acres of land, all of which he 
has obtained by the >\veat of hi- brow and by the exercise of frugality and rigid 

economy. 

BENJAMIN BRENT, farmer; P. O. Kilbourne ; born in Yorkshire, England; 
son of Robert Brent; they emigrated to this State in I860; and. in his 20th year set 

out for himself and began work on a farm by the month. Nov. 'J. 1^7-'. he was united 
in matrimony with Caroline Pulling; born in this county Feb. 19, 1850; daughter of 

Charles Pulling, a native of England; one child ha- I a born to them — -Robert, born 

Aug. 1, 1873, Mr. Brent has begun life with a determination to make something 
himself, is hard-working: and attentive to his bu-in. sfi 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKJ R Hi - 

JOHN BLAKELY, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; horn in this county and town- 
Bhip Aug. 20, 1842; son of Jama Blakely and Hannah Scott, who were natives of 
New Jersey, and among the early pioneers in this county; his father died. John iraa 
26 j ge when he left home, and was married to Rachel Anderson Deo. 10, 

1867; til. v had two children — Orley C. and Harry L His wife died Jan. 24, 
1875. Be was married to Martha Mowder, daughter of Joseph Mowder; she 
was born Jan. 13, 1844; their marriage took plane Dec. 22, 1875 . they haye had two 
children — Alice M. and Bttie. After hia marriage, he made ■ trip to Nebraska, bat 
not being suited, he returned to Mason Co., and has since remained here. March 
13, 1877, he bought lti'i acres of land, and i- ssful tanner; bis father 

in 1870. 

BENRY BECKWITH, tamer; P. o. Kilbourne; born in Crawford Co., I..d . 
April l'.">, L841 . son of Elijah Beokwith and Eveline Ceny ; his frreat-grandfather par- 
ticipated in the Revolutionary war. The Beckwiths arc s long-lived race . his grand- 
father liv.d tn the age of B4, and then met bis death by accident — hia horse running 
away. ILniy moved to this county with his parents, first locating tear Havana, and 
remaining there until 1864, when they moved to the section he now resides upon. 

30, 1866, be married Sarah Beston, born in Chester Co., Penn., April -V'. L846 
they have four children— Liaaii B., Bertie II.. Boward P. and Charles I' 

DANIEL COFFEY, tanner. P. 0. Kilbourne; was born in Kerry Co., Ireland. 
about the year 1837 ; he was the only child of his parents, whose names were Timothy 
Coffey and Mary Sullivan ; they dying when he was about Id years old, he was left tn 
"shirk " fur himself; he was one _\ear mi a vessel plying along the coast ; then worked 
among the fanners until 1857, when he embarked fir America, landing at New York ; 

he worked -nine time mi the ( ). \ M . Railroad, and I'.. 1*. & .1. Railroad ; In' then cine 

up the river to Bath, and hind out to Charles Thompson, working for him four j 

15, 1862, he married Ann Burke, a native of the same count] as himself; they 
have four children — Fobn, Ellen, Catharine and Bridget After Id- marriage, he rented 

land for four y< ais mi the -round now owned by Mi SBTS. < \ Boyle; he then rented 

land of Stephen Dolben for eight years. In 1-77. he bought ninety acres, and i- now 
tannin.: successfully. He and his wife are members "!' the Catholic Church. 

WILLIAM L COBB, farmer.; I'. < > Kilbourne; i- a native of St. Clair 
Co.; horn May 11. 1833. Bis father. William, was a native id' North Carolina, 
born in 1804, and died in 1—77; he came to this State as early as 1830. Jane Reid, his 
wit.-, was horn in Missouri, in 1807, and i- Mill living in St. Clair Co. William, at the 

I 18, embarked tor himself, and worked by the month as farm hand, until lie 
attained hi- 25th year, when he W8S married to NanCj War. . The date of her hirth is 

Sept. 8, l-ll. Nine children now gather around the festive hoard — lam-. Mary, 
John, Flora, Serilda, Dora, Ada, George and Norman. Be was ■ renter up to the year 
L872, when he bought eighty acres where he now lives. Mr. Cobb came to this county 
in 1864, and lived mi Crane Creek seven \>'.<v~. II. ami his wife are members of the 

Baptist Church ai v a L banon, ami are trying to h ir their profession. 

ML- \V\ M CRANE, farmer, V <» Kilbourne; is a native of the 

Empire State, born in Orleans Co., Oct. 17 Her father's name was Bars 8an« 

ford, and her mother's was khnira Chamberlain, both nati nont Mrs Crane 

sd to Michigan at an earlj age, and was married .Ian. 7. 1846, t" AmsJ 'J Crane, a 

native of New Jersey. In 1849, they moved to Aurora, Dearborn Co., Lei.. remaining 

there until 1865, when they red to Havana, and in 1869, moved t" Crane Creek 

i-hiji. While thei iated with Mr. Cobb, under the firm name of Crane 

a Cobb, whioh partnership continued until the death of Mr. Crane, Sept. 6, 1-71. Mr 
Crane, during his life, was an active business man. and an enthusiastic worker in the 
Church. Ties had six children, bnt two now living — Jennie and George Jennie is 
an efficient teacher in Havana Public School. Mrs. Crane now resides in Kilbourne 

act, and. in conjunction with her i in farming. 

WILLIAM CRAGGS, tanner. P. Kilbourne; brother of Chariest 
this township, was I h 22, 1823, in Yorkshire, England, and during his 6th 



KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP. 803 

came across the briny deep in company with his parents, to cast their lot in the land 
across the sea ; the family located west of Jacksonville, Morgan Co., at what is no* 
known as Lynnville, where a colony, or a number of English, from Yorkshire, had 
settled, and the Craggs were among the number. They were eight weeks on the ocean, 
and the crew come very near running out of both water and supplies, and were, fur a 
time, allowanced. In the spring of 1845, the family moved to this township, and 
William's first purchase was eighty acres of land, at S3 per acre, $12 down, balance at 
6 per cent interest. He put in a crop, and intended to marry the following year, and 
was engaged to be married; but that season there came a severe hail-storm, anil 
almost entirely destroyed his crop, and the prospects for assuming his matrimonial 
obligations were almost disheartening, but he finally mustered up courage, and borrowed 
of a neighbor, Frederick Shirtliff, money to buy the license and a shirt to be married in. 
Mr. Crane has now 520 acres, and has become identified with the interests of the 
county as one of its valued citizens. He was first married to Jane Williamson, a native 
of Kentucky ; four children, Mary A., Henry B., William A. and John, were the off- 
spring ; she died January 8, 1855. Oct. 14, 1857, he married Frances Folley, also a 
native of Kentucky ; they had seven children, five now living — Isabel, Charles F., 
Amelia J., Jessie, Wesley and Caroline. Oct. 7, 1878, his wife died ; since her demise, 
his daughters have been keeping house. He has always been a man of true Christian 
principle and of generous impulse, and has given much in charity, and there is no better 
man in Mason Co. 

R. A CURRY, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne ; is a native of Albany Co., in the 
Empire State, where he was born April 26, 1845, the fourth of a family of five children 
by his father's second marriage. His father's name was E. R. Curry, and his mother's 
Harriet Jones — both of them natives of New York. At the age of ( J he moved to this 
county, and first located in Bath, in company with his parents, in the year 1854. When 
but 16, he enlisted in the service of his country, in Co. M, 2d I. V. C, and served 
three years and four months. Upon his return to peaceful pursuits he began farming 
and finally bought 160 acres of land which he farmed until the spring of lST'J, when 
he was compelled to abandon it on account of poor health, occasioned by chronic 
diarrhoea contracted during his term of service. Jan. 1, 18Gb, he married Mary E. 
Conklin, born in Bath Township April 10, 1848, a daughter of John Conklin. They 
have three children — John T., born Nov. 30, 1SG7 ; Ollie May, Aug. 15, 1872; Leoiia 
F., Feb. 20, 1875. . 

J. B. CONOVER, farmer; P.O. Kilbourne; is one of Mason Co. 's enterprising young 
business men, and was born in Cass Co., Sept. 28, 1844; son of William Conover; his 
mother's maiden name was Rebecca Hopkins; his parents died when Joseph was quite 
young and he was left to fight life's battles alone. July 13, 1862, at the age of 18, he 
enlisted in Co. I), 85th I. Y. I., and participated in the battles of Perry ville. Stone 
River, Cbickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain and lastly at 
Peach Tree Creek, Ala., where he lost his right arm; at this battle, he was taken pris- 
oner, and, while suffering extreme pain from the amputation of his arm, was confined 
several months in Andersonville Prison, where he suffered untold misery at the hands 
of those in charge ; Nov. 20, 1864, he received his parole at Savannah, and in February, 
1865, obtained his discharge. Upon his return home, he attended school two years in 
Havana and one year at the Soldier's College at Whiteside Co. Upon his return home 
he engaged in Btock-trading. Dec. 26, 1869, he married Charlotte Coggshall, who was 
boru Oct. 9, 1849; daughter of William II. Coggshall; they have bad three bovs — 
Marshall 0., born Oct. 20, 1870; Leonard, Aug. 12, 1873; and an infant, Nov" 19, 
1878. In 1869, Mr. Conover was elected County Treasurer, which office he tilled two 
years; he then moved to the place he now lives on and has since been engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-trading; he has 800 acres of land, and though deprived of the use of his 
right arm, yet he accomplishes more manual labor than most men with two. 

GEORGE W. COGGSHALL, farmer: P. O. Kilbourne; was born in Wash- 
ington Co., Ohio, Sept. 14, 1830; the bod of .lob Coggshall, who was horn in Mari- 
etta. Ohio; his mother was a Wcatherbv and a native of Pennsylvania. John left the 

jj 



s "l BIOGRAPHICAL BKBTCHB8: 

8tate when In- attained the age of manhood and came t" this county and began work by 
the month : he worked two yean and then began for himself; be was in business for 
a time at Bath; k.j >t a livery stable for a time, and March 2, 1864, married Pr 
Edwards; they have two children— James L., born Oct. 22, 1865, and Myrtia, born 
April 10, 1^' 3 Boon after his marriage, be bought land and located in the suburbs of 
Kilbourne, and bas a Bnug farm gotten by bis own labor and by patient industry. 

W II. C ALD WELL, tanner ; I'. < >. Havana, was born in Washington i 
>M.. Sept. 29, 1828 ; the son of William Caldwell. William, in early life, had a desire 
to learn the carpenter's trade, which he partly learned before he came West . his 
father was a potter by trade, and died when W. II. was in his infancy. In 1843, in 
company with his mother, he came to Ohio ami there remained until 1855. Jo 5 
1852, In- married A\a A. Lath. 'in; they have four children— \ Henrj B Will- 

iam and Elmer E ; hi- wife died in 1862. After coming to this State, he located in 
Havana, where be engaged at bis trade and built several of tin- best buildings now in 
the town. Be was elected City Marshal, and was at one time nominated for the office 
of Sheriff on the Republican side. In L865, he was married to Harriet L. Russell; 

they have had four children, but one now living. He has 1 q a member of the 

M isonio body for several \ ears. 

WILLIAM A. CRAGGS, fcrmer ; P.O. Kilbourne; aon ofWiUiam I 
old setthr in this county, who is of English birth. Was born in Hath Township dan. 
28, 1851 \' : ' age of 19, he began for himself. March 3, 1872, he married Nancy 
keteham. 'daughter of Lemon Ketcham, of this township. She was born in 1854 
Names of their children are Nellie M., bom May 12, 1875; John, July 29, 1877, and 
an infant, unnamed. June 6, 1879. He ami his wife are both members of the Baptist 
Church. 

JOHN CRAGGS, fanner, Sec. 18; P. 0. Kilbourne ; son of William Craggs, and 

• in in Batb Township dune 25, 1852. Not wishing to pattern after the example 
set by the many bachelors in the township, he, on 1 maing of age, took a wife to him- 
self, in the person of Miss Orinda Jackson, daughter of Blias Jackson, who was born 
M 9, 1852. They were united in wedlock Sept. 28. 1873, and have two children — 
M J., born Dec. 19, 1875; William K.. Oct. 31, 1878. Mfcer. his marriage, he 
located on land of bis father's, and remained two years He then went :o Iowa, and 
remained about one year, and the country not meeting hi- expectations, be returned t<> 

M - n Co., where he has Bince remained 

HI MILKS CRAGGS, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourne. Prominent among the stauoh 
and self-made men of this county is Charles Craggs, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng., 
I 1 22, 1821 : boo of William Craggs and [sabel Making . He came to Morga 
when he its of age, in company with his parents. They were among 

pioneers of that county, there being no settlement.- between Lynnville and Jacks mville 
at that time. During hi- L'lth year, he moved to this county, located mi Field's 

ie, on the land now owned by James M. Hardin, ami bought eighty acn 
per acre, paying $12 down, ami the balanos at ti per rent interest. He married Phoebe 
Pratt, daughter of David Pratt. She was hum Dec. 12, 1829 Bight children have 
crowned this union, live of whom are now living —William II George T . Emily, Sarah 
and Bessii In l v "»"». he sold out and went tn Batb, where he. in company with his 
brother, went into the milling business, ami afterward -"Id or traded his interest fur a 

farm, where he DOW live-, and ha- since been eng Iged iii aL. r rietiltural pur.-uit-. He and 

hi.- wile are members ofthe Baptist Church. Notwithstanding the unfavorable circum- 
stances in which he began life, he i- to-day one of the wealthiest men in this part ofthe 
county 

JOHN CONKLIN, farmer ; I' 0. Kilbourni . was born in Washington •'■•. 
Ohio, April •"». 1829; son of Henry <'<mklin. a native of Chemunf C V V.. ami 
Elisa Nott Conklin, a native oi Ohio. At the age of 7. John moved with hi- par- 
ents tn this State ami located in Fulton Co., remaining there about -even years; Mr. 
Conklin's early educational advantages were very limit* d indeed ; in the spring of 1 B 13, 
the family moved to Section 5 Bath Township, where they opened op a farm: John 



KILBOUliNE TOWNSHIP. 

remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of 18 years, when he married 
Catherine Daniels; she was born March 1">, L830 ; she was a daughter of Washington 
Daniels; their marriage occurred Jap. 10, 1849; they have had fifteen children, eleven 

of whom are now living— Mary E., Thomas J., William B., Sallie Ann. .John C, James 
S., Charles E., George M.. Martha J.. Carrie lv and Ella C; Mr. Conklin's occupation 
has been farming, and, by his industry, he has acquired 80(1 acres of land; politically, 
he has always been identified with the Democratic party ; a man of quiet demeanor, 
just and upright and a good citizen. 

CHARLES E. CONKLIN, farmer ; P.O. Kilbourne; a native of Bath Town- 
ship, Mason Co., and marks the date of his advent to that locality Sept. 1. 1857 ; with 
his parents, he came to this township when quite young. He married. March 5, 1 v 77, 
Miss Mary J. Clotfelter, also a native of Bath Township and a daughter of Michael 
Clotfelter; she was born March 5, 1856; a child — Justice V.. was horn to them Feb. 
17,1879. Mr. Conklin and wife are both members of Mount Zion Baptist Church. 
Sinoo his marriage, he has been engaged in farming on Section u'. 

WILLIAM H. CONKLIN, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; born in Hath Township, 
June 6, 1851 ; second son and fourth child of John and Catharine Conklin. well-known 
residents of this township; William remained with his parents till bis 22d year, 
when he married Jennie E. Gore, daughter of Mrs. .Jam' Gore, of this county; 
their marriage took place March 1 1, 1874 ; they have bad two children — Nellie (J. and 
Jessie. After his marriage, he located on the section of land which he now occupies 
and is engaged in farming. 

STEPHEN DOLBIN, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; born in North Wales May 7, 
1812; his lather's name was John and his mother's name was Jane Williams; in early 
life Mr. Dolbin, having heard glowing accounts of this country, resolved thai he would 
visit it, and if satisfactory, settle, and, during the fall of the election of James 
Buchanan, Mr. D. and his wife arrived in this country ; they spent four years in Schuyl- 
kill Co., Penn.; at the solicitation of a friend, be moved to this State and heated on 
Sand Prairie, where he had purchased some land ; the snow covered the ground, and. it 
being so highly recommended by his friend, he bought it — but it proved to be a bad 
bargain ; he paid $1,000, hut was glad to realize $300 for it ; then he bought where he 
now lives and lias labored bard and now owns 493 acre.-, attained by his own industry. 
May 18. 1838, he married Mary Tluik. horn Dec. 21. 1810; hut two children are living — 
Robert and William. Mr. D. has always lived in peace with his neighbors and never 
had a law-suit. 

FRENCH DAVIS, farmer; P. (). Havana; was born in Mercer Co., W. Va.. 
Sept. 13, L830 ; his father's name was Jeremiah L. Davis, who married Elizabeth 
Bolin. both natives of Virginia, but of German descent ; at the age of 2.'!. he came to 
this State, and Havana was his first stopping-place. Oct. 7. 1854, he married Cath- 
arine Pulling, who was bom March 6, L837; she is a daughter of Thomas Pulling; 
they have live children — Lavega, horn May 4, 1859; Frank. Nov. 11. 1862; James 
H., Nov. !). 1864; William. Oct. •">. l>7i'; dulia. March 25, 1875; since his marriage, 
he has been engaged in fanning; during the fall months, he carries on a mo 

factory. 

ROBERT EATON, farmer; 1'. < >. Havana; a native of Kent. Eng.J was bora 
Dec. 1_, L841 ; son of Thomas Baton and Elizabeth Newman; be came to this county 
in company with his parents ; his father died in L861, and his mother in L852. In 
July, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C. 2d I. V. C. and served three years; he then Went 
into Co. A, lUth I. V. I., in which he served until the close of the war. receiving an 
honorable discharge; upon his return to peaceful pursuit-, he began farming. Oct. 11, 
1865, he married Anna E. Crater, horn March 12, 1845, a daughter of Joshua Cra- 
ter, of Fulton Co.; they had six children, four now living— Katie V.. tjSrnesI lv. 
Bertha M. and Willard P.; same year he bought 115 acres of improved land; he has 
now good buildings OH the same, and the land under excellent state of cultivation; he 
18 a good fanner, and a man of enterprise, and is attaining what might he termed a 
cesslul career. He i- a member of the Baptist Church, at New Lebanon. 



806 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

C. C. PAGER, farmer; 1'. 0. Havana; iras born in Hsrrisburg, Penn., Jan. 24, 
1837 . he is a bod of Samuel Pager, who died when Charles was quite young; in the 
year 1848, be moved West with hi- mother, and first landed in Havana; he lived in 
the country three years, and then worked at house carpentry for two years, then he 
returned to Havana, where he worked with the trowel for Beveral years, and assisted in 
building of nearly all the structures in the town. June 13, L861, he was married; 
his wife was 1 purn in April, 1840; they have five children — Emma, Mary P., M 
Charles II. and .J"l n Bertram ; in the spring of 1877, he moved t > the country, where 
he bought 200 acre* of land, and ha- qow turned bis attention to farming exclusively. 

Emma graduated at the High Scl 1 at Havana, and h preparing to teach. Mr 1' 

is a member of Old Tim \ . P. ,v A M., since consolidated with \ 38; also 

a member of Havana Chapter, No. B6, and Damascus Commandery, No. 42. 

ALGERNON E. PEILD, merchant, Kilbourne. Prominent among the stanch 
and upright men in this township, whose interests have long been identified with the 
county, is A. K. Peild, who was born in Mobile, Ala.. March •'>. 1823; boo of B 8 
Peild, a native of old Virginia, and came to this State in 1836, and entered land south 
Kilbourne; during hi- life, he was a very successful practitioner of medicine, and died 
in 1- rnon was 1 I years of age when he came to this county, and had hut 

limited educational advantages ; he was a pupil, for a Bhort time of the lamented 
Douglas; Mr. Peild has always been engaged io farming pursuit-, until recently; in 
1^72. he embarked in the mercantile business in the town, and has since continued it ; 
he -till carries on hi- farm with the assistance of his hoy.-. He was married. Dec. lit. 
1845, to Bessie Craggs, who wss horn in Pontefiract, Eng., May 2. 1827 ; seveu children 
have blessed this union, hut four of whom are living — Drury T.. Mary Frame-. Charles 
A. ami Benry. Mr. Peild has always remained true to the principles of the Democ- 
racy, and. iii the earlier part of his life, advocated the same upon the -tump: he H 

read) and fluent speaker; he also served a- Justii f the 1' 'a! years. 

' MRS. JANE GORE, farmer. 1'. <> Kilbourne; was horn duly .">. 1820, in County 
Antrim, Ireland; -he i- the daughter of Alexander Thompson, and her mother'.- maiden 
name was Jane Stewart. Mr.-, (lore, in her 1 1th year, caim- to thi- country will 
parent-, locating near Carrolton, Greene Co., thi- State. While iii thi- locality, she was 
married to Edwin Core, who was horn Nov. 21. lsiii. They were married dan. 26, 

1843. Nine children are the re-ult of this union — franc- A. Charles A.. William B 

Thomas K .1 ihn W.. Jennie, Mollie, James 11. ami Mattie M. In 1845, tiny moved 

to this county and huilt them a log cahin. near the place she now lives on. They I ked 

one summer out of doors, and the cabin they livedsin for some time had no door- or win- 
dow- to close the openings. She has been a member of the M. K. Church since 1 — : 4 1 

Mr. Core died April 16, 1866. He WSS an h St and upright man. and died lamented 

by all who knew him. 

MRS. MELISSA III ALKY, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourne ; Is a native of W 
where she wa- horn April 1 6, 1843; daughter of William Nevil, of Barren Co K 

who came to this State ai an .ally day, and located in thi< county. At the age of 17. 
she married James J. Bunley, horn in Metcalf I o. Kj . Nov. -7. 1834. This mar 
took place Oct l. I860. They then located on the land occupied l>y Mrs. Bun 
ley, and after ten years of great happiness, he passed away, and his remain- now rest in 
the quiet retreat of New Lebanon burial ground. His death occurred Nov. 23, 
He was an active and sealous worker in the church of which he was a member. Sine. 
his death. Mr- Bunley has remained on the farm, which she Mil) carries on with the 
assistance of her two boy* W . horn Nov. 1. 186 I - 1 ma - EL, horn March 7. 

JAMES M. HARDIN, farmer: I ' . ( >. Kilhoiirnc. Prominent among th 
settler- in thi- township, and whose interests have long been identified with those of the 
county, is James M Hardin, who was born in Talbot C N l I D • 12, 1817; the -on 
of Henry and Ann Chambers] Hardin. The family are of Scotch and Irish descent 

dam.-' parent- did! when he wa- quite young, and he was thrown upon hi* own 

\ ■ ige if 21, he started for the great West si tging it to Wheeling, and 



KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP. >"~ 

thence by river to Alton, and lived near Carrolton. Greene Co., where he worked <>n a 
farm as a common laborer. March L3, L842, lie was married to Martha A., daughter 
of John Micklam ; she was born in London. After their marriage, he began renting 
land. In 1845, he came to Mason Co., and located on the same section he now lives 
on. He worked for and with his father-in-law three years, and then bought forty acres. 
He subsequently bought out Mr. Charles Cragg, and then moved one mile south, where 
he has since lived. Mr. Hardin has twelve children, all living. Seven are now in 
Nebraska. Mr. Hardin and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church, the former 
since 1838. He has for many years been a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and in 
former times of the I. ( ). 0. F. Society. No man in the county has a better record than 
James Hardin for honesty and uprightness. 

LEMON A. KETCH AM, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne ; was born in Oswego Co., 
N. Y., and came with his parents when they located in this county. His father. Hiram 
Ketcham, in 1849, was struck by lightning, and lay helpless and unconscious for the 
space of twenty-four hours — finally recovered, but died subsequently, Aug. 7, 1864. 
The marriage of Mr. Ketcham has been blessed with a family of six children, three of 
whom are married — Mary E., to James Chaney Sept. 5, 1871 ; Nancy M., to William 
A. Craggs, son of William Craggs, March 3, 1872; John B. Ketcham, to Pollie A. 
Tond Sept. 26, 1873. He has always been engaged in farming, and he has a snug farm 
one mile northeast of Kilbourne. 

MRS. ELIZABETH KEMPER, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; was born in Han- 
over. Germany, Aug. 1, 1826 ; she was a daughter of Bernard Nehman, and her 
mother's family name was Helman. Mrs. Kemper's mother's name was Mary, and like 
her husband, was a native of Hanover, in which place they lived and died. Nov. 2, 
1851, she was married to Henry Kemper. The year following, they emigrated to this 
country, and were seven weeks crossing the ocean from Bremen to New Orleans, their 
landing-place ; soon after their arrival, they located at Havana, in this county, where 
they rented land about five years, and, in 1867, purchased 160 acres of land, on which 
the family has lived to the present time. Since Mr. Kemper's death she has remained 
a widow. They have had seven children — Minnie, Frederick, Mary, Lizzie, Willie, 
Frank and Louie. 

HENRY KNOLLENBERG, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourne; born in Prussia July 27, 
1839; son of Frederick Knollenberg and Elizabeth Yerdling ; his father died in 1862, 
and, in 1866, Henry crossed the ocean and came to this State, going first to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, where he remained some months, and then to this county. March 3. 1876. lie 
married Mary Wehmhoff, born in Hanover, Prussia, Aim. 2!!. 1848; she came to this 
State iri 1874 ; her father's name was Harman H. Wehmhoff. Since Mr. Knollenb- 
marriage, he has been farming, and is a hard-working and industrious man. 

WILLIAM A. LEE, ^rain-dealer, Kilbourne ; was born in Cass Co., 111.. Aug. 2."), 
1855 ; is the son of John and Mary Qordly Lee, who were natives of Kentucky and 
born near Lexington, and came to Cass Co. many years ago ; he was but 7 years of age 
when he came to this county; his father located and improved the land now owi ed by 
Barney Boyle; his father died March 18, 1874; his mother Aug. 25. two year- later. 
He is the eldest of a family often children, all of whom are now living, and is a grad- 
uate of the Jacksonville Business College. In the spring of L879, he came to this town, 
and is now engaged in the grain business, and will soon have a new -rain elevator. 

MRS. LOWRANCE, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne ; daughter of Richard Lane and 
Bister of Isaac D. Lane, of this township ; was born in Schuyler Co.. Feb. LI, IE 
her parents moved to Menard Co when she was quite young. July 4, L859, sh< 
married to Jacob A. Lowrance. They had two children — Jacob and Isaac. In July, 
1862, Mr. Lowrance enlisted in Co. D, 85th I. V. I., and was out one year, when he 
returned home on account of ill health ; he died Fell. '■'>. l v 77. Mr. L. and wife were 
both members of the church at New Lebanon. 

ISAAC l>. LANE, fanner; P. ( ). Kilbourne; is an old settler and came to this 
State in 1827; he lived in New Salem, Menard Co., many year-, and came to this 
county in 1844, and since that time has been a permanent resident ; his early education 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

btained in a log Bchoolhouse, bis Beat a rude one, made of a rail, with pegs r. .r its 
support, and doors and windows then almost unknown. Deer and game of all kinds 

in abundance, and Indians were then Been roaming about. Mr. L is ■ son ol 
Richard Lane and Rachel 1 )r;ik<- : his mother was :i Dative of Baltimore Co., Md., and 
hni father a native of the Old Dominion. Sept 28, 1819, was the date of fsaac D.'s 
a live n i to lyarren Co., Middle Tenm Bsee The second epoch in his life was Jan 1 1, 1845 
when he took to wife Sarah Bkipton ; Bhe was a native of Ohio. They have had seven 
children, but five of whom are living — Fordon R., Louisa J., Henrj ('. Matilda and 

D. Mi Lane's father was an Antislavery man. and left Tenness d account nf 

tlic prevalen f slavery . his Bon, early in life, imbibed those principles, and could 

: look upon involuntary servitude with any degree of allowance It may he said 
of Mr. Lane, that in all his transactions with his fellow-men, litigation has I. ecu a thing 
unknown, and while he may not leave after him much of this world's goods, yet hi 
hope to transmit t<> them :i g | name, and a remembrance that their paternal anc 

:i honest man. 

JOHN I". LANOE, farmer; was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. l. L842 
-"ii of John Lange and Kate Pickan. At the age of 12, he began tor himself, 
and worked "Ut until he was 25 vears ,.ld : Dec. -I L867, he came to this coun- 
try; he came t" Havana and worked one year or more for Westin dan 

1 "v 1877, he was married to Sarah ( '. I ':irk.r. who was I •• >rn Feb. 1 1. 1844, in Grant 

1 I ml., and raised in Ohio; they have one ehild — Lucy Anna, horn Peb. I. 1878 
His mother's nunc in German was Cetharna Margaretha Pickan. The date of John's 
leavin the "Id country h L867, and hewas fifty-nine days on the ocean. Hi 

naturalised April 7, 1864, and has always been engaged in farming. 

JOHN. \ LINN, fanner; P.O. Kilbourne; son of Phillip Linn, now of Clacka- 
mas l n : hi- mother's name prior to her marriage was Mahala McDaniel . 
they arc native- of Bourbon Co., Kv . and were among the early pioneers in Brown Co 
In the Bummer of 1865, they moved to their present place of abode in Oregon. John 
has -nice made a trip to that oountry and would have located but t< »r his wife's unwill- 
ingness t" leave her native State. He was born < kst. 30, 1843, and, in his 20th year, be 
married Nancy Briggs, who was hom in August, 1845; daughter of William Br 
the, have five children — William . h\. Minnie, Annie. Eugene and Jennie. Mr. Linn 

i- a man of energy, and a hard worker, and ha- been SUCOeSsfol BO far. Mr. Linn i- 

a member of Kinder Lodge, A . I". a \ M.. Brown I 

GEORGE I. Mi DANIEL, farmer; I' <» rlilbourm . was born in this town- 
ship Jan. 1 -. l v .">l : hi- father's name wa- William and his mother's before marriage 
■■is. both of them native- of Kentucky: they came to this State during its 
early history his father died when he was a small boy and he wa- then under tic 
care of his mother. Jan. 2, l s 7.">. he wa- united in wedlock t" Louisa Hughs, who 

wa- bom in Kentucky April 24, 1857. In 1879, lie bought forty acres of land, which 

he now owns. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at New Lebanon. 

JOHN MICKLAM, farmer; I' <> Obourne. "Uncle Johnnie," a- he i- 
familurly called, first -aw the light of day in the city of London April 7. 1796, and i- 

ii many of the " notable and crowned lead- of 

III and EV— the Queen's father. Alexander I and old Blucher, and 
many others, and cm relate very many interesting things, of which he wa- an 
witness, that are now matter- of history. John was the eldest "fa family of eight 
children horn to John Micklam and Ann Goulds. Peb. 17. 1819, he emigrated t" this 
oountry, landing Mori \ thenoe to Petersburg, where he 
dealer in tobacco and lived iboul three years; he lias now in his m several hill- 

of lading and invoices of l' 1- Been by the writer in the quaint handwriting of that 

time, showing the character of the business done Subsequently to this, he eng iged in 
ring tobacco. In early lite, he learned the tobacco business with his father. While 
in Virginia, he -aw tie tnb lat that ever sailed on the James River, a rude 

affair, with a hulk like a canal hoat. and an engine with upright arms working vertically. 
In L827, he emigrated to Kentuck Mid remained until 1836, when he 






KILBOUENE TOWN8HIP. 

Came to Bluffdale Greene Co., this State, and remained there until 1845; he then came 
to Mason Co., and has since lived here. .June 13, 1821, he married Maria Pegram in 
Dinwiddle Co., Va. ; they have had eight children — John W., Martin A., Indiana M . 
Mary D., Charles E., Stanfield A.. Sophia and Harriet M. Mr. Micklam has always 

been a very tempera! ■ man. and was never drunk in his life, and is a man of excellent 
information, a great reader, and a true type of an old English " gentleman." 

CHARLES MOWDKK. farmer. See. .V, 1'. ( ). Kilboume ; is a native of Mas .11 
Co. and was horn in Havana Township Oct. 21, 1SI7 ; he is the seventh of a family of 
ten children born to Joseph and Judith I St roup | Mow dor. who were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and came to this State at an early day, locating on land cast of Havana, which 
they entered. Charles remained at home until he married Rebecca Lehr, who was born 
May 23, 1852, in Sherman Township ; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, the 
mother born in Bucks Co. and the lather in Lehigh Co. Charles has had good educa- 
tional advantages in addition to those of the common school and is a graduate of the 
Commercial College at Jacksonville. After his marriage, which occurred Dec. 25, 1875, 
■ he settled on the land he now occupies and has since been a tiller of the soil ; they have 
one child — Joseph, born June 8, 1878. 

HARVEY ONEAE, retired physician, Kilboume ; is one of Mason County's 
stanch and reliable men, and has been closely connected with its interests and has been 
as much service to the country in the line of his profession as any man in the county ; 
he was born in Barren Co., Ky., May 19, 1818; seventh child of a family of eight 
children of Bennet Oneal and Sallie Emery, who were native* of the Old Dominion. 
Harvey's father was engaged in mechanical pursuits, which, baing distasteful to his son, 
led him to follow another line of action for a life business; he early had a desire to 
study medicine ; this did not meet with his parents' approval, but he cherished his 
desire, and, after he attained majority, turned his step> to Illinois, ami. the same year, 
began reading medicine with Dr. Schooler; he pursued his studies until graduation, 
receiving his honors in St. Louis Medical College in 18-43; he began the practice of 
his profession in Virginia, Cass Co.; he located in Bath. In November, 1841. he 
married Ann Beesly, daughter of Benjamin Beesly ; three children were born, none of 
whom are now living; she died in 1850. In September, 1851, he was married to 
Charlotte West, daughter of Amos S. West, a native of Kentucky : they had five chil- 
dren, four now living — James C.. Helen J.. Richard M. and Harry \V. The Doctor 
continued tin: practice of medicine in Bath for twenty years, when, it becoming too 
Severe upon him, he was compelled to abandon it on account of his health, and, in the 
year 1864. moved to this township an 1 bought a farm and has since turned his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits; he has been long a member of the Masonic Fraternity. 
He was raised a Whig and is a man of sound information and well read on the topics 
of the day; he is a zealous advocate of the (ircenback doctrine and is firm in the belief 
of the final triumph of that party. 

GEORGE W. HANSON, farmer; P. 0. Kilboume ; i> a son of John B. Han 
sou, who was an old pioneer in this county, and one who was a zealous and enthusiastic 
worker in the ministry, and was id 'Mined with the society called Christians, sometimes 
termed " Campbellites ;" his mother's name was Ann Audas; both of them were natives 
of England, ami came here at an early day. Gleorge W8S horn on the same place where 
he now resides Dec. 17. 1848, ami was left an orphan at an early age. and was then 
under the care of hi- elder brother; after his 13th year, he earned his own living, and, 
in 1870, began (arming on his own account, and subsequently united in marriage with 
Sarah E. Ainsworth, born Sept. 26, 1851 ; she is a daughter of Thomas Ains worth, of 
Chandler vtlle ; they have two children — -Alonzo, horn June l':;. 1876; Clara, Sept. 10, 
1878; he and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church. 

JOHN ROUTT, blacksmith, Kilbourne; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., June 
24, 1838; son of Byramb Routt ; his parents were natives of Kentucky; his father died 
when he was but about 8 years old, and when at the age of 16, he moved to Mon- 
roe <"".. Mo., with his mother, where he lived sewn years; having a mechanical turn, 
learned the blacksmith trade and came to this county, where he followed his trade at 



BIO BIOGRAPHICAL SKEffl HE8: 

II iiki and also at Peterville, and finally located at rlilbourne, where he and his 
brother are associated together in running a blacksmith and wagon-making boun 
they are good workmen, and are having a large run of business ; they arc men who 
attend t . . their business Btriotly, and thus meril the patronage of the people. Aug. 1!'. 
1861, he married Jonana Pulling ; they have had nine children, five of whom are now 
living — Byramb 1!.. Eleanor B., Florence, Daisy and an infant not named; his wife is a 
daughter of Thomas Pulling, and was born April 16, 1 B H. 

• I A M ES ROl T I wagon-maker, Kilbourne ; was bora in Fleming Co., K v.. March 
15, 1845; son of Byramb Routt, whose wife's maiden name was Eleanor C. Riggs, and 
also a naii'. • : Kentucky; the family came to this State in W>l' : from Kentucky they 
first went to Mercer Co., Mo, ; lived for a time in Monroe, and finally the boys cam 
Mason Co. and have since remained. James was a loyal soldier, and enlisted in Co A. 
28th [. V. I., Rerving until the close of the war. Dec. 25, 1868, he married Mary A. 
Sayre, daughter of Rachel and Jonathan Sayre ; she was bora in Virginia I 1 
1847; they have four children living — Charlotte E., Emma J . James 11 and Anna 
M After his term "t service expired, 1m- went t" Morgan Co., and \<> Mason Co. in 
1875; In- worked at Peterville and worked at Id- trade, then went t<> farming, and, July 
I .">. 1 ""7'.'. came to Kilbourae. 

•I W ROOT, physician, rlilbourne; was horn in Payette Co., Penn., Aug. 18, 
■ and emigrated to this State, locating in Schuyler Co. ; having a desire to study 
medicine, In- ran away from home and entered tin' army, where he remained until the 
close of the war; in tin- mean time, he applied himself closely to the Btudy of medicine 
and surgerj . at the close of the war, he attended a course <>t' lectures at St. Louis, and, 
upon Ins return to Schuyler Co., he<_ r an the practice of medicine and continued at it for 
nine years successfully. Oct. 1 I. 1868, he was united in marriage (" Malinds 9 

native <>f that county ; tin- hildren have graced their fireside, but tw ily arc living 

Prudence and Elizabeth; Clarence, the younger, died from being scalded. In the 
spring of 1876, he moved to Kilbourae and has since been engaged in Id- professi a, 
and his efforts in this direction have been crowned with marked success; In- makes i 

Jty of the treatment "t' bleeding piles, without the aid of caustic, knife "r liga- 
tur. ■ ; it matters nut bow long or unsuccessfully the patient has been treated, oun guar- 

l or no pay; consultation free, and all letters of inquiry answered promptly; be 
has been very successful in the treatment of acute ami chronic diseases, a- his patients 
can fully attest. !!-• i- Republican in sentiment ; in the fill of 1-77. he was brought 
"in a- a candidate for Superintendent of Schools in this county, and had flattering pros- 
pects of l»'im: elected, when he withdrew, as the duties of the office required him t > 
visit schools, which the practice of his profession would not admit of; he is a member 
Crowning Lodge, [.0.0 P Schuyler Co., and an honorable and upright gentleman. 

HENRY C RUOGLES, druggist, Kilbourne; was born in Winchester - 
I March 29, 1845; son of J. M. Ruggles, of this oounty, who is one of its promi- 
nent citizens; at the age of 17. he enlisted in the service of his country ; was enrolled 
as drummer boy in Co. 1'. 51st I. V. I . and afterward was mustered in as private, and 
served as such until the close of the war. was engaged in the battles of Stone River 
and Chickamauga, at which place was taken prisoner and served about eighteen mi 
in rebel prisons, it Andersonville, Richmond, Danville and other prisons ; was pa 
at Qoldsboro, N C, Feb. 28, 1865; at the close of the war. he received an honorable 
discharge; in 1867, he embarked in the drug business, and he has continued in the 

to the present time ; first Set up at Hath, then Ashland. I I md, "ii < tot. 6, 

I B76, Was married to Mary Webb, of Havana ; they have one child — Kinma. hum April 

11, 1-77. April l'!'. 1875, located in rlilbourae, where he i- now doing an excellent 
business; he keeps a full line of general stock, ami i- making a a member of 

Bath Lodge 194, A r \ A M 

IIKNKV 8T \<.1V. fan at I' 0. Kilbouroe; was born 3 I and 

was a namesake of hi- father . his mother's name, previous to her marriagi . was M ir- 

Pomp. In tin year 1852, in order to better hi- fortune. Henry turned bis >t . ps 
toward Australia, and. in company with several of his companions, took a mining claim. 



KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP. S H 

which they worked quite successfully for a time, and amassed a quantity of the yellow 
ilust, but finally lost the entire amount by an unprofitable investment, buying an engine, 
teams and other effects; upon the failure of the mine to produce the rich dirt, they 
sold their machinery, after running it two years; Henry remained in the mines eight 
years in all — after this be went to England, and then to America ; be worked Dear 
Peoria one year, as a farm band, then in Logan Co.. where lie worked two year- !!■• 
was married, Aug. 3, 1872, to Mary Kemper, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Kemper; 
they have three children — Henry, Lizzie and Mary. 

JOHN SEARS, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; so., of Henry Sears, one of the 
oldest settlers in the county, who was born in Wake Co., near Raleigh, N. C. in 
November, 1805, and came to this State in 1822, finally locating in Crane Creek Town- 
ship in 1828, where the subject of this sketch was born Feb. 16, 1835. He remained 
with bis father until his marriage with Mary A. Turner, who was born Aug. 2'.'. 1838, 
in Buckingham Co., Va. Their marriage took place Nov. .">. 1863; two children are 
the only ones living out of six born to them — Ewin and Mile-; since their marriage, 
they have remained at their present place of abode. Mr. Sears is a man of few word-. 
quiet and unassuming, and attends to his own business, paying no attention to the affairs 
of others. 

F. E. SHIRTCLIFF, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; is a native of Pontefract, York- 
shire, Eng.; born April 21, 1829; son of Edward Shirtcliff and Anna Makin; he emi- 
grated to this State, with his parents, during his 3d year. Locating in Lynnville. Morgan 
Co., where his father built the first store building and Bold good- at that place ; at the 
of 15, Fred left home and came to this county and lived with A. Feild, a rel- 
ative, remaining with him until Sept. 30. 1848, when be married Sarah J. Red wine, 
daughter of James Redwine, a native of Kentucky; six children were born, five living 
—Edward J., Fred F., John W., Hannah E. and" Alice; after their marriage. Mr. S. 
helped build the first frame house that was erected in this part of the county — now in 
Kilbourne ; Mr. C. has remained, the greater portion of his life, in this county, ami has 
made several trips to the North and West to better his condition, but lias invariably 
returned to old Mason Co., and though he may not have much of this worhfs goods 
to bequeath to his successors, will yet have a name and character for honesty and up- 
rightness, of which they need not be ashamed. He is a member of the Masonic < fcder, 
Bath Lodge, No. 494. ' 

MARGARET WALTERS, farmer; P.O.Havana; was born in Hanover. Prus- 
sia, Jan. 2, 1832 ; daughter of Frederick Renaiker, and in the year I860, cam.- to this 
country in company with her parents, and located in Havana Township. In April. 
1856, she was married to Rudol Brooksmidt; two children were born— Caroline and 
Lizzie. Mr. Brooksmidt died in 1858. In 1862, she married Frederick Walters, a 
native of Prussia ; they had three children — Henry, Lucy and Frank. Oct.. 1. 1872, 
Mr. Walters died of consumption. She has 120 acres of land, which she farms. 

JOHNS. WILLIAMSON, fanner; P. 0. Kilbourne; one of the old Bettlers. 
He came to the State in L830, and located, with bis parent-, in Morgan Co., where they 
remained about fourteen years, and in 1844 moved to this township. Mr. W. was 
born in Fleming Co.. Ky..' Dec 15, L826; .-on of Abraham Williamson. Bis mother's 
name, before marriage, was Keziah Smith, a native of Kentucky, and the father from 
New Jersey. Sept. .">, 1850, John was married to Matilda Lane, daughter of Richard 
Lane, of Virginia. Seven children have blessed this union, five of whom are now liv- 
ing—Richard W.. Isaac- N.. Rachel. Martha and Anna. After their marriage they 
located on the place they now occupy. 

PETER WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourne; was born in Prussia Feb. 1. 
1818; son of Peter Williams and Joanna Ma indell. At an early age be was bereft of 
his parents. (Jpon arriving at maturity be married Anna Sbolts. daughter of Carl 
Frederick Sholts. In L841, be emigrated to this country, and worked at various points 

St. Louis. New Orleans. Cincinnati, and other places, upon some of our public w-rks. 

and also as deck hand and roustabout on the river. He is a man of great strength and 
remarkable powers of endurance Sept. 29, 1869, be came to this township and lo 



B12 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHBfl 

on the land be uow owns, which m all timber, and has made therefrom a good faun. 
well improved. Se haa had twelve children, but three of whom are living — Mary, born 
Nov. 20, 1869; Charles, born Oct 6, 1862; Peter, born Feb. 21, L866 He baa 320 
if land, and baa acquired it l>\ honeel labor and rigid eoonom) 



BATH TOWNSHIP. 

ALFRED ADKINS, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Saidora; was born in Campbell Co., 

M;iv 10, 1831, but removed to Dlinois with his lather- family in l v -i.';; they 

firei settled in Morgan Co., and about four years later removed to what ia now Bath 

Towuship, thia county. Bia father, Joseph Adkins, was born in nn< • in 

I - 1 A : bis death oocured Oct 30, l x 7^: bia mother, Betse] Johnson Adkina 
also a Dative of Tennessee. The Bubject of this Bketch was married, March 11.: 
to Miss Sarah Schoonover, who was born in Delaware; they have bus children — .\ 

.1 . Joseph V . Clarissa I... Herman II.. Richard 0. and Man B. Mr. Adkina owns 
243 acres of land in Bath Township. 

RANDALL J. ADKINS, farmer, Sec L8; P.O. Saidora; was born in Math 
Township, Mason Co., 111.. Nov. 6, 1846. He was married, March 22, 1-71. to M -- 
Josephine Bishop, who was born in the State < . t" Ohio. Mr. Adkina owns 350 act 
land in Bath Township, Mason Co. Further mention of Mr. Adkins' father and the 
family will he made in the history of Hath Township and the general history <>t the 
county . 

JOHN C. V.DKINS, merchant, Saidora; was born in Bath Township, Mason 

111., Feh. 7. l^lti. where he has Binoe resided. He was married. Feb. 7. 1-7". t.> 
Miss Mar} M. Hall, who was born in Pennsylvania; they have "tie child — Joseph C 
M Adkina owns ninety-seven acres of land in Bath Township. He ia dow engaged 
in the mercantile and grain trade at Saidora. See card in the Business Directory of thia 
work. 

JAMES 9 ALLEN groceries and restaurant, Bath; was born in New York 
July 26, 1-."..';. Winn about l year- of age, hi- fathers family removed to 
Illinois, locating tir.-t in Fulton <'>•.. and about one year later removed to Bath Town- 
ship* this county, in \<\1 . in 1 - 1 1 they retur 1 to Fulton Co., where they resided 

till 1853; then came to Mason Co., which has since been the home "(' the Bubjeot "t 
these line-. Hi- father, .lame. II. Allen, was at Chi rly a- 1 ■-.':.".. ami at that 

time traveled over a part of the State; he died in November, 1869, and hi- wile a fc\\ 
days later; both were oatives "('the State of Neil fork, dam 
farmer, which occupation he followed until l>7d. when he engaged in bia prea ol busi- 
ness in July of that year, lie has -TV- d a- Collector alld \— e--o|\ one term each 

II was married, March 21, 1858, t" Mi-- Lillie A. Moore, who was born in Ohio. 

have two children Elizabeth M wife of dam.- M, Lag and Luella M. wife 
mes E2. Lippert. Mr. Allen is a member of Bath Lodf N 194, A., 1' \ \ M 
JOHN I. AS 1 M RST, manufacturer of the Blunt Succor Drill, S • I' 
Kilbourne; was born in Hath Township, Mason Co., 111.. March 15, 1 838, and i- a 

- i V ad Jemima Ashurst. The family re ved from Tennessee '" I lli- 

noia in 1832, settling first in Menard Co., and about one year later removed to Mason 
< ing in what is now Itath Township. The subject of thia -ketch was married 

F< 12 1 858, to Mi-- Amanda C, daughter of Laban and Klisabeth K. Blunt, who 
were earl) Bettlers oi M Co. Mr. Ashurst followed farming for some years, but, 

in about 1857, gave his attention to mechanical pursuits, purchasing a few tool- and 
embarking in the blacksmithing businesa in a -mall way, mainly for the purpose ol 
doing hi- own repairing , he up farming ami devoted himself to hi- trade . 

he assisted Bobert Blunt, patentee of the Succor Drill, in the construction of the first 
ami the - is built wholly b) Mr. Ashurst; since the death of Mi 



BATH TOWNSHIP. B 1 8 

Blunt, his son George, together with Mr. Ashurst. have made some improvements 
which place this drill on a footing with any manufactured, and, by many, believed to 
be superior to anything of the kind in the market. Mr Ashurst has manufactured and 
Bold about one hundred drills this Beason, but by qo means supplying the demand, which 
has been some four to five hundred. 

DANIEL W. BARR, proprietor of Central Bouse, Bath; was born in Wash 
ington Go., Md., July 29, 1828, where he resided until 1859, then removing to Ogle 
Co., 111., and about one year later to the State of Missouri ; thence to Kansas, where he 
resided from I860 to isti2, and returned to [llinois the latter year, locating in Morgan 
Co., and, in 1865, came to Bath, tins county, which has since been his home. During 
the year 1866, he was engaged in butchering, and the following year embarked in the 
horse and mule trade. Be has been proprietor of the Central Bouse since 1871 . has 
Berved one year as Police Constable. Be was married, in 1851, to Miss Catharine 
Foster, who was hum in Washington Co., Md. They have had twelve children, nine of 
whom are living — Elizabeth, wife of Morris Lester, resides in Peoria, 111.; Laura: 
Addie, wife of George D. .Mills, train baggage-man on C. & N.-W. By. ; Charles, Sudie, 
Fannie. Lona, dames and Edward ; the deceased are William II. , Frank, and one who 
died in infancy. Mr. Barr owns 160 acres of land in Bath Township, and, in addition 
to farming and other business, makes training of saddle horses a specialty, having taken 
eleven premiums at the Mason Co. fairs, also several premiums at other lairs in Central 
Illinois. 

THOMAS R. BLUNT, farmer, 8ec 36; P. < >. Kilhourne; was burn in what is oow 
Bath Township, this county, dune 22, 1838. Bis lather. Thomas F. Blunt, who was 
born on Kent Island, Md., duly 14, 1800, emigrated to the West as early as L831, 
and first settled in the State of Missouri. The family came to Mason Co., 111., in I - 
and located near the present residence of Thomas II. with whom his father now resides 
His mother, Sinai F. ( Alderson) Blunt, was horn in Kentucky Nov. 9, 1795 ; her 
death occurred Oct. 2, 1864. The subject of this sketch was married. Dec. 23, 185S, to 
Miss Jane Parks, who was born in Scott Co., 111.. June 24, 1837. Six children by this 

union, three of whom are living — Aliee M. M., Lena B. and : Delta M. died 

Dee. 12, 1864; Marshall Y.. Nov. 7. 1867; Charles J., March 28, 1866. Mr. Blunt 
has been a member of the Mount Zion Baptisl Church, which was organized in April, 
1842, since 1855, and has served as Deacon some ten year.-. He own- 260 acres of 
land in Bath Township. 

ROBERT E. CAMERON, of the firm of Cameron & Fletcher, proprietor- of 
Bath Mills, Bath: was horn in Franklin Co., Ark., March 8, 1841, but removed in 
early childhood, with his father's family, to Illinois, locating in Fulton Co. in 1843 
They removed to Lynchburg Township, this county, in 1848. The subject of this 
has resided at Bath since 1867, where he first engaged in the grocery business. In 
1^7 1. he purchased the flouriog-mill, winch was burnt about Beven mouths after, and 
rebuilt in 1875. He was married. Sept. 18, 1864, to Miss Addie Hunter, whowas born 
in Ohio. They have two children living— Jennie and George E2. Mr. Cameron is a 
member of Bathliodge, No. 194, A . P. a A M 

HERMAN DIERKER, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. Havana: was born in Hanover. 
Germany, duly 25, 1834. In 1838, he cam ■ to America with his father'- family, and 
located in Bath Township, this comity, where he ha.- since resided. Hi- father, John 
11., died May 1, 1844, and bis mother. Ellen Basselbecke) Dierker, died in September, 
1 >.">!; both were natives of Banover, Germany. The Bubject of this Bketch was married, 
April 30, 1857, to Miss Margarel Meyer, who was horn in Hanover, Germany ; her 
father came to America ill 1848, and to Mason Co. in the fall ot that year. They have 

bad six children, five of whom are living— August, Charlotte. Sophie, Janie and Mar- 
garet : their Bon, Frank, died April 23, 1864 Mr Dierker own- 380 acre- -of land in 

Bath Township. 

dnllX ii . D DEVERM WW farmer. Sec. 9; P.O. Bath n is born in Hanover. 
Germany, Dee. 12, 1839. When about 10 year- of age, he came to America with his 
father's family, leaving their native country the 1st of October, 1849, arriving at 



81 I BIOGRAPHICAL SKEK 

( Mean-. La., in ili«' fall of the Bame year They came to Mason Co. the following Jan- 
hiog Schulte'a Landing at 11 o'clock P. M., of the 1 lth of that month. They 
occupied 1 1 » • - house of Frederick Speck mann, 8r. now deceased for about one year, 
then located mar where Mr. Devermann now resides Hi- father, John H. Devermann, 
who was born in Hanover, Qermany, Sept. 22, 1796, died Oct. 20, 1861, Hi- mother, 
Katrina M. Shiphorst Devermann, who was i native of thi- -am.' place, was horn 

2, 1803; Bhe now resides with her son -l G I' On the 15th of June, 1 
Mr. Deverman was married to Miss Eliza Woesten, who was born in Havana Township, 
this county, Nov. 1 l. 1849. By this anion there were five children, four of whom are 
living— 8erina C, born April 1 i. 1866; Henry J., born Aug. 25, 1869; died ( )et 28, 
1869 . (juetav II. I>.. born Dec. 16, L870; Adolph <i. I>.. hum March 20, 1873 ; I 
M., born Dec II. 1875. Mr. Devermann has served as School Director four years, 
tnd Commissioner of Highways one term. Be owns about 30o acres of land in Bath 
Township, Mason Co. 

JOHN II. II DEVERMANN, farmer, 8ec. 9 ; P.O. Bath; was hum in Han- 
over, Germany Ocl _- 1834, and came to America with his father's family in 1849. 
For further mention of lii- father's family and their settlement here, see the above sketch 
of hi- brother. Mr. Devermann was married, Feb. 11. 1864, b M sa Mary, daughter 
of G. Dierker. Her grandfather, John II. Dierker, came to this country in 1838, when 
her father was about 9 yean of age. She was born in Bath Township, this county, 
Oct. 2, 1841. They have had eight children, sewn of whom are living — Hannah M . 
born Dec. 10, 1864; Barman H., born Oct. 10,1866; Katrina M. and Frankie l». 
twin- May 24, 1869, FrankieD. died Nov. 20, 1872 . Anna M.,born Jan. 9, 1872 ; 
M., born July 10, 1874; Willie G. and Benry A., twins, born April 7, 1877. Mr. 
Devermann owns 31 f land in Bath Township, Mason Co. 

JOHN G. H. DIERKER, firmer. Sec, 25; P. < >. Havana: washorn in Hanover, 
Germany, Aug. 12, 1811. He came to America in 1851. They located in Bath Town- 
ship, Mason Co., the sane- year. He was married, in 1837, to Miss Katrina M. Buuan, 
who was also hern in Hanover, Germany. They had three children, one living — Cath- 
arine, wife of Frederick Halm. Mr. Dierker's wife died in 1842, and in lMt he mar- 
ried Ann M. Vallenghorst, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have one child — Kat- 
rina. wife of Benry Nehmilmann. Sin- was married to Mr. Nehinilmann in l v ti7. 
They have four children living — Barman, August, Mary and Henry. They have lost 
one, Lewis, who died in March, 1877. 

STOKES EDWARDS, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Kilbourne ; was hum in Orange 

I ml.. Feb. 7. 1819. In 1832, he moved with his father's family to Morgan Co., 
III., and in l>.i v . his father. Richard Edwards, moved to the State of [owa. Thesub- 

f thi.- sketeh located in Kilbourne Township, this enmity, in September, 1846, 
where be engaged in blaoksmithing, which trade he followed for some twelve 
improving ■ fatm at the Bame time In 1858, be removed to the village of Bath, and in 
February, 1863, located where he now resides. Be was married, Oct. 28, 1843, to 
M sa Emily Ward, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 28, 1824 Berfather'a 
family removed to Morgan Co., 111., in aboul 1^7. Elijah Ward, net father, built the 
third house erected in Waverly, Morgan ('". They have one child liviii Mn Ned 
Basher, residee in Kilbourne Township. Mr. Edwards owns 307 acres of land in I 
and Kilbourne Townships. 

JOHN FLETCHER, fanner. Si 7 P. < >. Saidora; was bom io Yorkshire, 
England, Dec 28, 1827 ; he came t<> America in the Bpring of 1855, with his fat 
familj ; they settled in Lynchburg Township, thi- county. The subject of this sketch 
wa- married, in January, 1859, to Mrs. \nna B. Carpenter Moffat . who was hum in 
Yorkshire, England; she came to America in ohildhood; they have five children, four 
of whom are li\im_ r — Edward S., Frederick B., Francis J and Mary .1. S. Douglass 
died May 29, 1 B63. Mr. Fletcher has served as Commissioner of Highways three 
ra in Lynchburg Township, and two yeara in thi-. and i- the present incumbent . he 
<>wiis _".»7 acres of land in Bath and Lynchburg Townships. He removed to his present 



BATH TOWNSHIP 615 

EZEKIEL FRIEND, retired physician, Saidora; was born in Lebanon Co., 
Penn., Doc. 30, 1815 ; he received hi.s early education in the common schools of Cum- 
berland and Franklin Cos., in which he resided some time prior to his removal to the 
West. In 1836, he commenced the study of medicine with I>r. A. W. Cooper, of 

Chambersburg, Franklin Co., and in L839, commenced the practh f his profession ; 

in the fall of L 841, he removed to Illinois, located in Cass Co., near Chandlers ville, 
where, for many years, he was associated with Dr. Chandler in the practice of medicine. 
The Doctor*, removed to Mason Co., in the fall of 1854, and to his present home in 
August, 1855. On the 11th of August, L846, he was married to Miss Marj A. Ray, 
who was born in Kentucky, April 24, 1826; her death occurred Feb. 3, 1849; thej 
had one child — John C, born July 16, 1847. He was married to Sarah Humphrey 
June 28, 1849; she was born in Indiana Feb. 1. 1824; died duly 2, L854; two 
children by this union — Mary Jane and Thomas. He was married to hi- present wife. 
Mary E. Curry, Aug. 31, 1855; she was born in New York July 1, 1838, they have 
nine children — George W., born July 26, 1856; Josephine. January. 1858 ; Ellen V. 
Oct. 20, 1859; Alice P., Aug. 16, 1862; Adeline, Nov. 29, 1864 (Charlotte K . June 
7, 1867; Lucy A., Nov. 30, 1869; Charles H. F., Feb. 11, 1873; Theodore E . dun. 
10, 1875. The Doctor is a son of John and Mary Oliver. Friend ; his mother was a 
daughter of Nicholas Bonner Oliver, who came from England and settled in Philadel- 
phia, Penn. Dr. Friend has been in the active practice of his profession in C 
Mason and adjoining counties, since 18-11 (until within the past Beven years . a period ol 
nearly a quarter of a century. 

DAVID C. HARM1SON, physician and surgeon, Bath ; was born in Berkeley 
Co., W. Va., Nov. Hi, 1844, and is a son of John 8. and Hannah Butts) Barmison, both 
natives of Virginia. In 1840, the family removed to Champaign Co., Ohio. and. in the 
spring of 1852. came West, locating in Knox Co., 111., where the Doctor's parents still 
reside. The Doctor followed farming until 1864, and in October of that yeai enlisted in 
Co. A., 59th I. V.I. , and served till the close of the war : was mustered out of the service at 
San Antonio. Tex., Oct. 16,1865. He was at the battles of Lyunville, Spring Hill. Colum- 
bia, Franklin, Duck River, Nashville, Pulaski, and the skirmishes, and was twice wound< d 
at the battle of Nashville. On dan. 2, 1866, he entered Bedding College at Abingdon, 
111., completing the scientific course and graduating at that institution in 1869; II 
engaged in teaching, devoting his spue time to the study of medicine with Dr. J. J. 
Lobaugh, of Elmwood, Peoria Co., 111. He entered the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons at Keokuk, [owa, in 1877, and graduated in June of the following year. The 
Doctor came to Bath in August. 1875, and for two years had charge of the public 
schools. Since 1878, he lias been in theoonstant practice of his profession at this place. 
He was married, Dec. 29, L870, to Miss [sabelle Rafferty, who was born in Madison 
Co., Ohio. Five children by this union, four of whom are living — Junius 1!.. William 
V . Maud U. and Luclara, Laura M. K. died dan. 31, 1876. 

GERHARD 11. BAVIGBORST, deceased; was born in Banover, Germany, 
Nov. 28, 1823; came to America in \<U\ and located in Hath. Mason <'".. 111., the 
same year; he first engaged in tic mercantile business, which he full,. wed for many 
years, and subsequently engaged in the -rain trade: this he continued up to the time 
<>f his death, which occurred April 11, L876. Hi- widow, whose maiden nam. 
Catharine J. Borstman, still resides at Bath, she i- also a native of Banover, Gen 
and was born dan. 2, 1830; her marriag Mr. Bavighorst t >nk place dime 1. 1850 
by this union there were live children, three of whom are living— Emma J., born Jan. 
t, 1857 (wifeof William Beberliog ; Franklin. Sept. 13, 1859; Stephen <i , Feb 6, 
1 s,;ii; the two deceased are Henry. l>un March 1. L851, died July 23, L857; Catharine 
B . born Jan. I. 1 854, died duly 11, 1857. Mrs. Bavighorst came to America with 
her father's family in early childhood ; they settled at Matanzas, in this county, about 

1838. 

WARREN BEBERLING, merchant, Bath; was born Han 

3, 1839, and is a 90D of Heiirv and Hannah Lewia Ibh .-rlitcj. the former a native of 
Yir-inia and the latter of Ohio. The subject of this sketch foil »wed merchandising in 



816 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

< mio f. -r Beveral years, and, in 1 86 l. removed to Bath, Mason Co., SI., and engaged in his 
it business. He was married, July 31, I860, to Miss Sarah J., only daughter of 
and Mary Fulton] Vail, both Datives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Illi- 
nois in 1843 and ti I in Fulton ('.p.. and two years latex same to Mason Co. 
The names of Mr. and Mn II lerling's ohildren are as follows — Mary L. Laura A . 
Oharles W.and Annie I>. Mr. Heberlin§ ifBatb Lodge,No. 194, A., K. \ A M . 

and I ipacity four separate terms Biooe 1 1 1 ganisation of thai body. 

II iwns about 2,000 acres of land, lt - >" acres of which is in Kansas, and the balance 
in Mason and Pulton Cos., III. 

.1 HERMAN IIKYK farm r, So 10; P 0. Bath; was born in Han ' 
many, Sept 15, 1836. His rather, John II Hoye, died in 1837. In 1844, Mrs B 
came to America with her only child J. II . They first Btopped near Havana. Mason 

I 1 1 1 ' 1 . in the — i • r i 1 1 _r of 1845, located in Bath Township, which has Bines Keen their 
home. His mother, Mary Hinslaga II . who now resides with her son, was born 
in Hanover, Germany, Sept l'i. 1800. The subject of this sketch was married, June 
15, 1865, to Miss Anna C. Devermann, who was born in Hanover, German] M 
1843. She came, with her father's family, to America in the fall of 1849, and to N i 

he following Bpring. i Further mention of her father's family will be found in the 
sketches of ber brothers, Jno. G. D. and Jno. H. H. 1 tevermann. They have ( '. . u r children 
living— Henry, hom Oct. 15, 1869; William, born Aug. 31, 1871 ; Carl, born Deo 1 l. 

mi i M pga t, born Feb. 6, 1876. Marj i was born Aug. 27, 1 : 

and died Oct •;. 1869 Mr. Heye has served a- School Director Beveral years, and 
School Trustee two term- He owns 360 acres of farm land and ninety-one acr 
timber in Bath Township, Mason I 

JOHN W. HORSTMAN, of the firm of Horstman Bros., merchants, Bath; was 
born at Matanzas, Bath Township, Mason Co., III.. April i'<». 1842; his father, John 
R Horstman, came to America in 1832, locating first in New Orleans, La; in the fall 
of 1836, he settled in what is now Bath Township, this enmity; he was born in Han- 
over, Germany, in 1808, and died Dec. 31. 1860; )n< wife, Eliza 0., was born in 1818 
in th. inntry as her husband ; her death occurred May 16, 1863. The subject 

of this sketch remained on his father's farm until ."!<» years old, and then removed to a 
farm near the village of Bath; he engaged in the mercantile business at Hath Jan. 1. 
1875, under the lirm name of Horstman & Schaaf; in September, 1876, he sold his 
interest in the store and engaged in milling with It. K. Cameron ; he disposed of his 
int. -rest iii the mill the following May. having purchased an interest in the store of his 
brother, John I!.. April 2, l v 77. since which, the firm has remained as above II 

member of the Town Board and as School Trustee each one term. In 1^71. 
he was married to Miss Eliza ('. Missman, who was born in Bath Township, this county ; 
they have one child — Fohn F. Mm. Horstman's father. Gerhard Missman, came from 

I I a iver, < lermany, to America in 1849, 

JOHN R HORSTM \N. merchant, Bath; was born in Bath Township, Mason 
1 Feb. •"». 1849; he followed farming till about 21 years of age, and. in April, 1875 
'i the mercantile business \i Bath; he sold an interest in the store to his 
brother, John W . April 2, 1^77. sinoe which, the business has oduoted under 

the above firm name. < >n the 29th of April. 1^7.">. he was married to Miss K L 

x l I " I who wae born in Bath Township, this county ; they have one child livin 

Huttie. Mr. II is a member oi the Town Board and has served as Collector one term. 

ROBERT H"i 8TON, farmer, Sec 30; P (>. Bath; was born in Wheeling, 

2,1822; when about 12 ige his father's family removed 

1 l >hio. The subject of this sketch re ved t" Illinois, in the Bpring oi 

1853, locating in Havana Township, thi> county, where he was employed on a farm till 
1856, when he purchased a farm of 115 acres in Bath Township, and now owns 360 
.me locality. Mr. Houston has served one term as Commissioner of 
Highways. He was married, in 1842, to Miss Sarah Moore, who was born in Belmont 
1 Ohio; they have had nine children bj thisunion, seven of whom are living — Edward 
Viiii E., wife of II. Allen. Sabina, wife of J. Keefer; Virginia, wife of I. Pirish; 



BATH TOWNSHIP. S 1T 

Caroline, wife of William Matthews; Julia, wife of 6. W. Taylor, and Mary; Weal and 

William II., are deceased. In March. 1862, Mr. Houston enlisted in the 51sl I. V. I., 
and in November following was transferred to the Engineer's Department, serving under 
General 0. I\ Morton. In March. 1863, they were ordered to Nashville, Tenn.; here 
Mr. Houston assisted in building two gun-boats and was placed in command of one. 

He served till the tall of 1863, and then resigned. In the fall of 1862, he received 
his commission as First Lieutenant. Mr. Houston first came Weal as early as 1837 
and located in Iowa. Imt returned, after a residence there of about two years, to Ohio. 

HERMAN MIDDELKAMP, dealer in lumber, furniture, etc. Hath: was horn 
in Hanover, Germany, May 15, 1843 ; hi- father's family emigrated to America when 
he was about 12 years of age; they came via New Orleans, and settled in Bath Town- 
ship, where his parents still reside, in the fall of 1855. His father, John, and his 
mother, Adelhit (Hingstlage) Middelkamp, were born in Hanover, Germany. 
subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm till 22 years .if age, after which he 
worked at the carpenter's trad' till 1878, when he engaged in his present business nn 1 r 
the firm name of Middelkamp & Dierker. He was married. May 12,11878, to Mi-- 
Lena Frank, who was horn in Mason Co., 111. They have one child. Marv. 

ERNEST A. MEYER, farmer. See. 35; P. 0. Havana: was born iii Hanover, 
Germany, March 4, 1844, hut eani' to America with his father's family in early child- 
hood. They settled in Bath Township, Mason Co., in 1848. Mr. Meyer 
married, April 29, 1869, to Miss Anna C., daughter of George Dierker; her father came 
to America in 1835, and located first in New Orleans, La.; his brothers, John Henry 
and John Herman Dierker, came from Germany in the fall of 1837, and the following 
year the three brothers came to Mason Co. Mrs. Meyer was horn in Bath Town- 
ship, this county, Au<r. 13, 1846. They have three children, Harmao H, born Feb. 
18, 1870; Emma M.. Oct. 2. 1871. and Mary J.. April 4. 1*7.). Mr. Meyer owns 
HI acres of land in Bath, and 1 V * » acre- in Kilbourne Township. 

WILLIAM RIGGINS, farmer. Sec. :;:;: P. (). Bath; was born in Union Co., 
Ind., March 14,1827; in 1840, he removed to Illinois with his father's family, locating 
at Beardstown Feb. 22, of that year; he followed farming in Cass Co. till 1852, when 
he went to California, overland, via Salt Lake City; in 1854, he returned from Cal- 
ifornia by way of the Isthmus, and the following year locate 1 in Mason Co.. where he 
now resides. He was married, in 1857, to Miss Henrietta McGehee, who was born in 
Fulton Co., III.; her father settled in Fulton Co. at an early date, and was also an early 
settler of Mason Co.; they have lour children — Ada (wife of B. F. Gatton), Alva. 
Stephen and Nelson. Mr. K. owns Hi" acres of land in Bath Township. 

BENJAMIN F. ROCHESTER, clerk, Bath, was born in Bath, III.. April •_':>. 
1846. His father, Sidney Rochester, who was born in Knox Co., Ky . May v . l v l \ 
came to Illinois in 1835, locating in Whitehall. Greene Co.. and was there married t > 
Miss Sarah Stevenson. April 23, 1836, -he was horn in Middlesex Co., N. J., March 
2!». 1810; they removed to Mason Co. in 1842, and settled near Bath. There were 
nine children by this union, only two of whom are now living — John L. and Benjamin 
l\. the deceased are Nathaniel S . William II.. Charles <i . George W. JamesS . Mary 
M. and Cornelia Iv; John and William served in Co. E, 27th I. V. I . and Nathaniel 
and James in Co. D. 85th I. V. I.; all served till the rebellion was crushed. William, 
when mustered out. was in command of his company, with rank of First Lieutenant. 
Charles <!. died in 1845; Cornelia Iv. A.ug. •_'::. 1 -.">:: ; Geo. W., April B, 1861 ; Mary 
M . Dec. 1, 1868; James S . -Ian I. 1872, leaving a wife and .me child; Nathan;. S 
May 15, 1>7_' ; Wm. IF. July 19, 1 -77. leaving three children, the death .4' his wife 
having occurred some time previous. Mr. and Mrs. Rochester -till reside in Bath, I 
ing attained a ripe old age. John L. also resides in Bath, and is engaged in black- 
smithing. The subject of this -ketch, prior to 1-7l'. followed farming for several j 
and then engaged in teaching, which vocation hi followed till 'he spring of 1875, when 
he entered the employ ,A' .1 I; Horstman, as clerk, and remained with him one yen-. 
He was married, Dec. 26, 1875, to Miss Lois &., daughter of Geo. A and Sarah Bonney. 
Dee 12, 1876, he was commissioned Postmaster at Bath, and on the first of Januarj 



818 BI0GAAPHICA1 SKETCHES : 

following, took charge of the office II I bis office April 28, L879, and entered 

the employ of A S sh laf, n clerk. The children of Mr. an 1 Mrs II 
I' . .in Aug. 21, 1878, and Arthur N., Juoe 9, l-7:». Mr. El. is a member of Bath 
Lodge, No. 125, I !• and basse 3 July 1. L875, 

witli tin- exception of one term, a/hen he was chosen Noble Grand. 

HENRY I,. SAMI'KLL. farmer, Sec. 36; I'. <» Kilbourne; was born near 
Hopkinsville, Christian Co., K\ . Deo 15, 1 "--'7. :m<l is a son of Andrew and Sarah 
Braddna Samuell, both natives of Virginia; the former died in October, 1869, and 
the latter in January, 1865 ; in the fall of 1834, the family removed to Morgan I 
III., and in the spring <>f 1846, located in Bath Township, Mason Co. The Bubjecl of 
this sketch was married, Feb. 24, 1848, to Bliss Lydia Blunt, who was born in Barren 
Co., Ky . Feb. 9, 1829; her father, Thomas F. Blunt, settled in Hath Township as 
early as 1833; by this union there were eleven children — Brooking A.., born Jan. 4, 
1849, resides in Bath Township; Ella C, .1 an. .">. 1^.">1 wife of Perry Sutton . resides 
in Cass <'".. 111.; Hickman B., Aug. 26, 1853, resides in Sherman Township; Lavinia 
.1 Mr. 22, 1855 wife of W. Sntton . resides in Cass Co., III.: Eenrj ('.. An. 
1>.">7. died in September, 1858; Cassias M . Aug. 29, 1859, died in September, 18 
Frances I... Oct. 2, 1861, died in 1863; Joseph, born Aug 8, 1864; Kittle W . I 1 
16, l^tit*.; Charles A.. April 25, 1869; the last three are at home; one child died in 
infancy. Mr. Samuell owns 360 acres of land in Bath Township, and 120 acres in 

Co., 111. and is one of seven sons, who all with the exception of one, who 
did not attain his full height, mi account of hrp di od *'> feel 2 inches; hi* 

father and twin brother also attained the same heigh) as above. 

ANDREW SCHAAF, groceries, queensware, etc., Bath; was born in Seas 
Darmstadt, Germany, Sepc. 7, 1834. He came t . > America when about 12 

with hi- father's family, locating first in Arenzville, Cass Co., Hi., where thej 
resided about three years, and then removed to what i> dow Bath Township, this 
county. Mr. Schaaf followed farming until 1875, when he engaged in hi> pp 
business, under the arm nam.' of Horstman \ Schaaf, which continued ander the 
above firm name till September, 1876, when he bought his partner's inter.-: H< 

l as Collector in l v 7">; was a member of the Town Board about su yean, and 
School Treasurer Bince 1>7-'!. Married, <>rt. B, 1857, Miss Sarah Welch, who was 
horn in Ohio; they have two children living — George S. ami Warren J. 

JOHN II. 8TRUBE, Sit.. fanner,Sea 35; P.O. Bath ; was born in Han >ver, Ger- 
many, in August, 1819. He came to America in 1839, locating at New Orleans, La 
where he resided till 1844, when his father'.- family came t i this country and with their 
lath Township, Mason Co., the same year. His father John II .. was born in 
Hanover, Germany, December, 1787 ; died Aug. 7, 1870 ; his mother, Katrina Kemper 
Strube, was born in the same county as her husband in 1785; Bhe died in September, 
1844. Mr. Strube was married, July 8, 1849, to Miss Helen M. Mullen, who was b »rn in 
Hanover, Germany, Oct 24, 1818; they have had five children, four of whom are 
living — John H., born Aug. 11, 1852, he resides in Quiver Township; Henry, born 
July 29, 1854; Mary, wife of Henry N. Stagin, resides in Bath Township, shi 

<>et. 11. 1856; Richard F., Sept 26 359 Mr. Strube owm : es of land 
in Bath and -'-"•' acres in Quiver Township. 

WILLI \M W. 'II RNER, billiard hall. Bath; was born in Soot! Co., III.. No? 
30, 1834; when 10 years of age his father's family removed to Fields Prairie, Bath 
r iwnahip, this county. Mr. Turner worked on hi> father- farm till 22 years of 
then became a tiller <>\' the soil on his own account. He enlisted in Co. D, B5th I. \ . 
I Julj 20, 1862; promoted to S oond Lieutenant Bee. 21, of the same year, and 
jned in 1864. During his term of service he was in the following engagements: 
battle of Perryville, Chiokamauga, Mission Ridge and Bustards' Roost Mr. Tur- 
ner was married, in l-"> v Miss Hannah Van winkle, who was born in Morgan I 
[11.; they have five child ojatnin I'.. Lucy, Maggie, Felix H. and Bertha. He 

member of Havana Log 1 - \ I' a. \ M Owns 160 acres of land in 

Kansas. Since August, 1^7 1. he has resided in Bath, his present home 



QUIVEB TOWNSHIP. 819 

JAMES C. WHELPLEY, groceries, Bath; was born in the Province of Nova 
Scotia, Nov. 19, 1839, but removed in early child] 1 with bis Father's family to Port- 
land, Me., where he resided 'about seven years; then removed to Pern, III.; he came 
to Mason Co. July 28, 1866, and first worked at the harness trade, and aboul two 
years ago engaged in the grocery business. He Berved as President of the Town Board 
in l877-"78, and as School Trustee one term. In 1869, he was married to Miss Marj 
Comyges, who was born in Peoria, III.; they have one child living — William E. .Mr. 
"Whelpley is a member of Bath Lodge, No. 12.">. I. ( >. ( ). F. 



QUIVER TOWNSHIP. 

LORING AMES, farmer; P. 0. Topeka ; son of Zephaniah Am-.-, whose ances- 
tors came over in the Mayflower during the reign of William and Mary. They were of 
English descent. His mother's maiden name was Case. She was born in Connecticut, 
and was married to Mr. Ames in Maryland. In 1818, they -ami' to Illinois, and settled 
on a farm in St. Clair Co. for a few years. They moved, in 1823, to Adams I '->.. 
where they both died — he, in 1835, and she, in 1825. The subject of this sketch 
was born Sept. 13, 1806, and, when 1 year old, moved with his parents to Hem- 
lock Forest, in Pennsylvania, and was there until 15 years old, when he came to 
Illinois with his parents. In 1SJ7, he went to the lead mines in the West. During 
the time he was there, he participated in a war with the Indians, who were headed by 
Red Bud. He returned in 1829, and shortly afterward took a fiatboat, Btarting from 
Quincy, 111., and running to New Orleans. This was the first fiatboat ever run down 
from Quincy, and was loaded with hogs, corn, potatoes, onions and oak staves. II- 
returned in 1830, and worked oa a farm for Gov. Wood, for two years. Be had con- 
siderable management of Gov. Wood's business. and was often called Governor by strain 
He next worked on a steam mill for Holmes; afterward, ou a farm until 1832, when 
he was in the Black Hawk war. On his return, he began farming, and continued it 
until married, which was in 1833, to Elmira Jones, daughter of Deacon Jones, who laid 
out Canton. In 1836, he moved to Fulton Co., and made brick in partnership with bis 
father-in-law for one year; be then farmed in Fulton Co. until 1856, when be came to 
Mason Co., and settled the present farm of 160 acres, which they have obtained by their 
own labor. He became a member of the Congregational Church in Quincy, 111., in 1831, 
and is now with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Topeka, 111. His wife i> a 
member. The names of their children are Ardelia. Orpheus, who was in the war of the 
rebellion for three years ; Joel, also in the war; George, Charles, Diantba and Emily. 

L. S. ALLEN, farmer and teacher; P.O. Topeka; son of Sylvanus Allen, who 
was born in Mason Co., Ky., Feb. 1<». 1 707. and moved t-> Ohio in 1801 ; was married 
Nov. 29, 1821, t" Miss Bakehorn, daughter of George Bakehorn ; she was born April 
11, 1803, in New Jersey, and died Dec. 31, 1875. In the spring of 1830, they moved 
to Miami Co., Ohio, where they afterward resided. Mr I. S. Allen was born dan. 24, 
Is:; |, on a farm in Miami To., Ohio ; at tin- aire of 17. he began teaching, ami made 
bis home with his parents until he was married, Au'_ r . 27, I860, to Mis. Ella I' 1 . Davis, 
a daughter of Amos Flowers; her husband. Mr. Davis, died in the late war. In 1864, 
Mr. Allen began merchandising at Lena, Ohio, in partnership with Mr. Brecount. In 
1865, Mr. Brecounl drew out, and Mr. Allen continued the business until l^r,7. when 
he came to Mason Co., [11., and Boon engaged in merchandising, at Top ika, in partner- 
ship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Flowers, and continued thus until about 1>7I. when 
they sold the business to Colvin & Hoagland. If- then began teaching during the 
winters and farming in the summers, which he still continues. They have, by their 
frugality, secured themselves a house and lot in Topeka, an 1 eighty acres of well- 
improve 1 land ne ir by. They have n 1 children ; he has held th ■ "Hi of Town Clerk, 
and is at presenl 1 Notarj Public; he and his wife are membe M I ireh. 

at Topeka, in whioh he has held the offices of Steward an I T 1 U n ..v 



B20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH] - 

rintendent of the Sabbath scl 1 in that Church. Be was onoe Justice of the 

P i . atid was also in the war. enlisting in the 1 4 7 1 h Ohio \ . I 

A B. APPLEM AN, farmer; P.O.Topeka; is the eon of John and Catharine 
Appleman, both of New Jersey, the former of whom was born Oct. 7. 1800, came to 
Illinois about 1848, and was kille.l by a team running away. Sept 28, 1866. Be was 
a member of the <M<I School Presbyterian Church. His wife was born Oct '_'•'>. 1800; 
Iiit maiden name being Cross. Her confession was with the Reformed Church, but Bhe 
afterward united with the Presbyterian, in which communion she died, April 6, 1872, 
a faithful Christian, sincerely devoted to the interests of the < Ihurch. They lia<l i family 

v,n children— William C, born Dec. I. 1821 ; Mary A.. Jan. _'. 1824; Cornelia 
E., Jan 27, 1826; Sarah L., May, 1828; Margarel A. I Nov. 18, U 

Alezandei C, Jan 22, 1833; Emeline, Sept 22, 1835; Pannie C., Peb. U. 18 
Augustus B., Nov. 1,1838; John, March 14, 1841 ; Josephus M., Nov. 5, 1843. The 
Bubject of this sketch was born in Somerset Co., N. J., and when 9 years old came with 
the family, by team, as was customary in those da} - ■ ■ M son Co., 111., and settled on the 
farm which be now owns. It was then ;i raw prairie, but by their labors has 1" 
6ne arable land. At 21, he rented of Mr. Ann" for one year, afterward working on 
the farm of bis brother-in-law, Mr. Cross II e then bought 1 1 1 . • present farm, thi 
homestead ol bis father, of 160 acres, and has since increased it to 280 acres. His 
marriage with Hannah (J. McReyoolds was celebrated Deo. 31, 1869, by Rev. Henry 
E Decker, of the Reformed Church. Her father's name was Robert MoReynolds, who 
was born April 13, 1791, in Columbia Co., Penn. He was a farmer \ 
Her mother's maiden name was Moyier. She was born Nov. ! I. 1801, in Pennsylvania. 
They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which communion they 
died. Mr. Appleman has been blessed with the following children — Clara P., born 
in February^ l- and Clayton, twins, Aug. 30, l-7 - _'; Prank M., Dec. 11. 

1878 He has been and is now School Director, and was • •■•■■< Road Commissioner 
His farm, which lies two mil •- northwest of Topeka, is one of the finest in the country. 
I I could not be otherwise than hippy, being thus surrounded by the tid.ls and g 
that lie adjacent to this residence. 5Tet Mr. Appleman has reasons for desiring to change 
localities. 

CHARLES BARTELS, farmer and stock-dealer ; P.O.Topeka; Bon of Henry 

Is. a native of Germany, who came to America some thin;, 
fanner ami coal miner, ami now makes a home with Mr. Bart els, whose mother's name 
was Long, daughter of ;i noted farmer ol German) ; Bhe came to America about thirty- 
threi The subject of this sketch was born Sept 15, 1849, in Pottsville, 

Penn., where he remained until 21, ;it which time he came, with his parents, to Illinois, 
settling "ii the present farm of 160 aire-, eighty of which now belong to him. the rest 
to a brother; thi- i- the old homestead of his father Mr. Bartels has made 
improvements ami a fine little home. Hi- marriage with Anna Will- was 

celebrated Aug. 11. !-7J; -he is a daughter of William Wills, of Topeka. one of the 

I men aid earl) pioneers of the township, and one of the tir-t settlers of Mason 
• she was born in 1854, in Mason Co., 111.; two children were the fruit of their 
man I II.. born May 30, 1873; Lillie A .. Aug. 7. 1876 Mr Barn 
followed threshing and carpentering; he has been l ffice-seeker, and has Bpent his 

years in rural life. 

THEODORE BELL, druggist and hardware, Topeka; son of William Bell, who 
was born in Pennsylvania; was a stonemason, and died in August, 1861; bis wife's 
maiden name was Hennigh, daughter of Daniel Hennigh, a noted farmei rvived 

her husband and, two years after his death, came to Illinois, and i- now making her 
home in Kansas, with her son Daniel. Tie- subject of thi- .-ketch was horn Ma 

1846, ,>u a farm iii Pennsylvania, and remained ther I in going to scl 1 most 

of the time until IS d, when he left the scenes of his ohildn 1 soon after his 

last farewell to his father, and came, with his two listers an i one brother, to Mason 

111., two years afterward, his mother came Mr Bell engajj d, at his settlement, 
in farming for his older brother, Mr. Daniel Hell, with whom hi> mother makes 



QU1VEB TOWNSHIP. 82] 

home in Kansas, ami worked for him one season ; when nearly 18, he enlisted in 
L, 1 1 tli I. V. C, and Berved eighteen months; returning from war. he began working 

for his brother, on a farm, for one summer, and then engaged iii clerking in a drug 
Btore for Harper \ Robinson, of Havana, for six months; he then taoghl school for 
Mime time in Sherman Township, Mason Co., and afterward attended Bchool at the 
Northwestern University at Plainfield, III., for two term.--, from there he went to Penn- 
sylvania and engaged in reading law for a year with the firm of Longworth \ Jenke ; 
afterward, he made a visit to Kansas and soon engaged in teaching school for three 
years, and, in ls7j. he, like others who have left the beautiful plains of Mason Co., 
returned and engaged in teaching school for three years; he then bought the dm- Btore 
at Topeka, owned by C. II. Mart/., to which he has added a hardware department, 
and in which business be still continues; be has held the office of Town Clerk. 

NATHAN CLARK, farmer; P.O.Petersburg; is a native of Otsego <',,.. \. y 
where he was born May 9, 1818. There his boyhood and early life were spent, and, 
being of a musical turn, he studied music, and was for man\ years leader of a string 
hand that became quite noted. He remembers furnishing music for Gen Winfield 
Scott, and a number ><\' other distinguished guests. He came to Illinois in 1863, I 
ing in Mason Co. He now owns a fine tract of land. He removed to Petersburg in 
1877, and renovated the Elmo House, and opened it as the Clark House. He married 
Elvira, daughter of Capt. Benedict, of Maryland. Sept. -. 1845. They are parent 
nine children, all of whom are now living and well educated, five being already teach- 
ers. Few can look hack with more satisfaction over their past life than Mr. and Mrs. 
(lark. Mr. Clark was for a number of years passenger conductor on the I'.. 1'. £ -I. 
R. R, In 1879, Mr. Clark moved upon his farm in Quiver, where be now resi 

GEORGE I>. COON, firmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Topeka: son of Reuben 
and Anna Coon. The former was horn on a farm in New Jersey, in 17*7. and came 
to Illinois in 1842. His wife's maiden name was Drake, daughter of George Drake, of 
New Jersey. She was horn in 1793. They are both dead; he died in 1862, she in 
1853. They were both members of the Baptist Church of New Jersey, and died in 
that faith. The subject of our sketch was horn April 9, 1813, in New Brunswick, 
N. J., and remained there until 1839, and was engaged in farming and blacksmith- 
ing. In that year he came, by team, to Illinois, and settled in Greene Co., where he 
remained until 1842, at which time he moved to Mason Co.. and settled on a farm for 
some time. lie then settled on the present farm of eighty acres, which he had entered 
from the Government prior to his settlement on the same. He has given hi- attention 
entirely to agricultural pursuits, and has increased his land to 820 acres, and has 
improved the same. Seven hundred and twenty acres of this land is the fruit of their 
own labor and management. He celebrated his marriage, in 1836, with Harriet Brown, 
daughter of Stephen Brown, of New Jersey, lie cane to Illinois in 1849, with a 
family of seven children. His wife's maiden name was Bishop Mrs Coon was born 
in 1815. Six children were the fruit oi this happy marriagi — Mary J. (now Apple- 
man), who has taught school. Walter I... Reuben G., Sophia l'». George D. 
I; I! Mr. Coon retains a membership in the Baptist Church in New Jersey At the 
time of Mr. Coon's settlement the county was but little settled, and there yet remained 
now and then a wild animal which had perhaps narrowly escaped the flint-lock and 
spear of the savage. He ha- toiled on in rural life in the same channel with his m 
bors, and has improved these raw prairies. 

ALBERT CROSS, farmer and stock-dealer. P. 0. Topeka; Bon of S. B. C 
of Mason City Township: his mother's maiden nunc was McReynolds, daughter 
noted farmer of New Jersey ; he was horn Aug. 11. 1856, on a farm in Mason I 
111., where he remained until 16 years old. at which time he moved with his parents to 
Mason City Township, where they remained engaged in forming for lour . 
Mr. Cross. Sept. l'ii. L876, was married to Fronia Slade, of Ohio, daughter of .). W 
Slade; her mother's name was Van Gorden. a native of Ohio. After marriage they 
settled on his father's farm in Mason City Township, and remained there -on,,, time, 
when they moved to the present farm ol 160 acre-, own d by •! W. Slade. which Mr. 



B22 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8 

- controls, and on which be is having good Buccess, having this season raised wheat 
which averaged over twenty bushels per acre; this hum is finely improved. They 
have been blessed with one child — Stephen I!., born N iv. 23, 1878 

SARAH A CADWALADER, boarding, Topeka ; is a daughter of Isaac Wise- 
man, a farmer of Ohio; he \\a- born in 17T»i in South Carolina, and died Deo 
31, 1833, in Hamilton, Ohio. Her mother's maiden name was Harper, daughter <>t' a 
Parmer of Virginia; she was born in 1789 in Virginia, and died in 1856 in 
Ohio I subject of this Bketch was born in 1819 in Butler Co., Ohio; when 14 

• old, Bhe went with the family to Hamilton, Ohio, where the family had ir for 

the benefit of pari of them who were Buffering with consumption, which disease ended 
the life of her father. In 1 837, she was married to Hugh Beaty, a bricklayer and 
plasterer , they Bottled al Hollow Springs for one year ; in the latter pari of L838, Mr. 
Beaty died, leaving her with an infant, which, shortly afterward, died also; Bhe then 
went to her mother's home in Hamilton, Ohio, where Bhe bore this -ml bereavement. 
In ! - 12, Bhe came with her mother and Bister to Havana. III., where Bhe remain d - iven 
years. We here note a matter which shows a kind and sympathizing heart: This 
lady helped to make the Bhrouds and to lay out the bodies of eighty-five persons 
during a period of seven years. In L 849, she was married to Rees Cadwalader, a 
mechanic of Pennsylvania . he was of a Quaker family, in which denomination he con 
Becrated his all; he died in 1867. She, sometime afterward, bought and improved 
Borne property in Topeka, III., where Bhe now resides. By her last husband Bhe had 
two children, both of whom died while infants. She is a Btrid member of the M. E. 
Church ai Topeka, III., in which communion sh Becrated herself early in life. 

JOHN G. DEVERMANN, farmer and stock-dealer, P.O. Topeka; aonofJohn 
D iiiian.nl Hanover, Germany, who died about 1862. Mr. Deverman's mother's 
maiden name was Hurkamp ; Bhe was horn in 1803 in Germany, and died Maj B, 1879, at 
Mr. Devi rman's residence, in Quiver Township, where Bhe had been living for some time ; 
Bhe came to Illinois. about 1863. Mr. Deverman was born Nov. 19, 1835, on a farm 
in Germany, and remained there until 22 years old, when he came to Illinois, settling 
in Havana for two months, and working for his brother-in law, at butchering . he next 
went to Matansaa, and engaged in farming for I!. Havighorst, for one year, when he 
began farming, renting of G BeaJ for five years. He then, in 1864, married 

\niM Budke, of Germany, born in 1845; Bhe came to Dlinois, with her parents, in 
1848; they were blessed with seven children— Henry, Man. Heoman, Willie, John, 

Lizzie and Katie de,-,:- Mr. D erman is now holding the office of Scl 1 

Director. He certainly felt decidedly the effects of poverty in hi- younger days; on his 
arrival in this country he had but $15; this talent he improved, unttl now he I 
farm of 225 acres, finely improved, the reward of his em : 

J. W. DOWNEY, physician and Burgeon, Topeka; boo of W. B. Downey, 

who Was a native of Indiana, and is a tanner, now living in Allin Township, 

McLean Co., III. His parents were English descent; his mother's maiden name was 
Baton, a daughter of John Baton, of Indiana: his father was also a farmer. Dr. 
Downey was bora Nov. I. 1851, near Bfartinsburg, Keokuk <'.>.. [owa, \ , 
be came with his parents, by team, as was customary in those d 111.. 

and 1 -d in farming and attending scl I. When 17 years of age, he b< 

learning photography with Benjamin G tloomington, III., he continued thu 

one year, and then engaged to Graj and managed a gallerj for him al Lincoln, Bloom 
ington, and Pairbury . while at the latter pUce, he bought this gallery from Gray, and 
moved it to Chatsworth, and there continued the business for bu months In 1871, he 
quit photograph) and returned to Allin Township. McLean Co., III., where he attended 
school in the country. In 1872, he began teaching, which he continued, in connection 
with reading medicine, for over three j m In 1872, he attended one term at the 

nal Scl 1. in McLean Co., III.; during the period he was teaching, he devoted 

moment to the study of Latin and other branches congenial to his tat 
bo earnest w.i> he in the pursuit of the knowledge requisite to his future profession, that 
he studied <m hi< way to and from school, an I recited at night to John « v >. Harris, who 



QUIVER TOWNSHIP. 823 

was Principal df the Stanford Schools. He has passed through maoj of the higher 

studies. In 1875 -76, he attended the College of Physicians and Surg is at Keokuk, 

Iowa, in which lie graduated, and then engaged in practice with l>r. S. B Wright, at 
Stanford, 111., for one year. In 1877, he came to Topeka, II!.. where he has Bince 
practiced. He is an active and enthusiastic member of his profession, and enjoys an 
extensive practice. He has served a full share of those humble, but important public 
offices, lie has twice been a member of the Board of Trustees of Stanford, 111., and 
was also a member of the Hoard of Trustees of the Public Library at the same place. 
of which he was one of the rounders. He is now Police Magistrate of Topeka, and 
also Town Treasurer. 

MOSES ECKARD, fanner, P: 0. Topeka; son of Henry Eckard, of Balti- 
more, Md. ; was of German descent. Hismother's maiden name is Glass. Shewasfrom 
Maryland, and of German descent. They raised a family of four, two of whom survivi 
Mr. Eckard and Elizabeth Morton. She is now living on the old homestead of her 
father. Mr. Eckard was born Oct. 8, 1812. in Fredericks Co.. Md. He worked at 
farming. In 1837, he left the scene of his childhood for Ohio, where he worked 
at farming, carpentering, and such work as he could get to do. He afterward went 
to Kentucky, and there worked by the month at J12 until 1839, when he settled in 
Fulton Co , 111., for one year, and then worked for Jacob Moss for one year. He 
then came to Mason Co., and worked by the month for a long time. In 1844, be 
began farming eighty acres — a part of the present farm of 500 acre-, which was then 
raw prairie, but now has become fine arable land. By marriage he added 200 acres, 

making 700 acres. He was married to Sarah E. Simn Is Feb. 15, 1844. She was a 

daughter of Pollard Simmonds, who was bom May 2, 1799, and was a firmer and mil- 
ler. His father was born in 1773. His mother's maiden name was Hitter. She was the 
daughter of Richard Hitter, of Maryland, horn in 1763. Their marriage occurred 
Aug. 7, 1821, in Kentucky. Mrs. Eckard was horn June 29, 1822, in Mason Co., 

Kv. She was the oldest of nine children, of whom but five BUTvive Her father 

and mother are dead. He died Feb. 14, 1864, in Illinois, and she died May 

10, 1855, in Illinois. They have had >ix children; the living an — Sarah, \Y. H., 
station agent at Topeka, James P. and John 11. 

\V. H. ECKARD, express and station agent and -rain merchant, Topeka ; son 
of Moses Eckard. who was horn in Maryland and a mechanic ; his mother'.- maiden name 
was Simmons; daughter of P. Simmons, of Kentucky; she was horn in ISl':;. in 
Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born May 1. 1846, oil a farm in Mason 
Co., 111., and remained there engaged in farming until 1867, when he engaged in 
merchandising at Topeka for a year, after which hi I as Btatioji and express 

agent at Topeka; also in buying grain for McFadden & Simmons, at this place, which 
he still continue-. He was married, in 1868, to Amelia J. Bandean, daughter of 
John and Jane Uandcaii ; her father was drowned in a lock at Louisville. Ky., about 

the year 1846; her mother died in July. 1874. Mr. Eckard has held the office 
of Township Collector and Clerk, and is now School Director. He has frugally 
used his means, and has secured a nice house and lot in Topeka. Has three chil- 
dren—Freddie It.. Elmer M. and Harr\ W. 

1). \V. FLO WERS, merchant, Topeka ; son of Amos and Phoebe Flowers; was born 
in Pennsylvania ; the former wasa merchant, physician and minister of the M. B. Church ; 
he died. July 30, 1861, in Ohio ; the maiden name ofthe latter was Longstreth, daughter of 
Miller Longstreth, a noted farmer; Bhe died Aug. 12, 1874. They had eleven children, all 
of whom died in infancy except tour. Mr. Flowers was horn June 9, 1846, in Pal 
estine, Darke Co., Ohio, and remained there until 6 year- old, when the family 
moved to Miami Co.. Ohio, where Mr. Flowers remained until 1866, when he came 
alone to Mason Co., and settled, teaching school at the Walker district. Mason 
for one term; he then came to Topeka and engaged as clerk in the dry-g 
store of Eckard* Nichols for two years; be then went into partnership with hk 
brother-in-law, Mr. L. S. Allen, in dry-goods, under firm name of Allen 4 
and was thus connected six years. They then drew out, and the firm Colvin 



324 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

.v. Hoagland. He then engaged in buying grain al Topeka for two yean, for hin 
after which b< ■ in clerking for the lirin of 8. V. Brown sow Oliver Brown), 

which be still continues. Hi- first ma Kelley, daughter of 

Kelley, :i fanner and Btock-raiser ; the died July •">. 1-7.'!. leaving two »-hil- 
dren -Harry \\\ and Ellis C. In 1875, he was married to Mattie Curds, daughter of 
Alfred Curtis, of Butler Co ohm. \'<\ this wife he also had two children — Edna 
I! He bas held the i B ; wn Trustee of Topeka, and Dire* I 

i he still holds, and bas also been Town ( 1< i k ai He and 

wife are members of the M. E. Church of Topeka, 

.1 II. HUGHES farmer and stock-dealer j P.O. Topeka; son of Harry Hughes, 
nf Scotland, who was awhile in Pennsylvania a physician and overseer of iron works. 
Hi- Hannah Penchion, daughter of John Penohion, of Ireland. She was 

born in Pennsylvania. He died about 1849, and his wife some lime afterward came to 
Ohio, where she died in 1871. They were both Btricl church members. The subject 
of this sketch i Oct. 5, 1841, on a farm in Franklin Co., Penn., and there 

remained till 21, when be enlisted in the 21sl P. V. ('.. and served nearly : 

Corporal, and was wounded in the thigh at the battle of Bunker Hill. Va. On 

his return from the war. he engaged in teaching and teaming, in Noble Co., End., for 

about two years. In the spring of 1865, he left Indiana, with but little means, and 

q Co., 111., having <>n his .n rival at Havana onlj I be engaged at 

work in a livery stable for Joseph Taylor, of Havana, for three months, when having 

i his means, he engaged in partnership with Taylor, and was thus connected for 
three years when Mr Taylor drew out and the firm changed to Hughes A. Ranould, 
and continued Bucb until ;869, when they sold to Taylor, and Mr. Hughes engaged in 
farming on 10 acres of land, mar Mason City, which he owned; hi renting in 
addition ; he continued his farming al said place for two years, during which time he 
added - and then traded his 120 acres for the present farm of 250 acres to 
which he has Bince added, until he now has 150 acres, which have been obtained entirely 
by bis own labor, and which he has improved and made of fine quality, and well 
adapted to cattle raising, which he makes ■ specialty. Mr. Hughes was married, in 
1867 nana Taylor, daughter of Joseph Taylor, one of the early settler- of 
M n Co., and once Mr. Hughes' partner in the livery business; Mr. Taylor's wife's 
nun. was Honchin ; Bhe was born in Kentucky, and is still living; she had sii chil- 
dren. Mr. Hughes bas i n no office-seeker, bul has been connected with the schools. 

II ind his wife are members of the Christian Church at ESbeneser. Their marriage 
blessed them with three children, all living -Cleggitt, born April 28, 1869; Rthiel O., 
July 31, 1-71 ; Lulia B . Nov. 7. 1875. 

\i;.\l» HEINHORST, farmer and stook-dealer ; P.O. Bishops Station; son 
of William and Louisa Heinhorst of Germany ; the former was born in 1-11 : the 1st- 

a 1-11. also; her name before marriage was Miller, daughter of Fred Miller: they 
earn.' to this country iii 1854. The subject of this Bketofa was born in 1837, on a farm 
in Germany, and remained there until 17 year- old, when he came with the family to 
Illinois, Bettling uear Chicago and remaining there two yen-; while there, three of the 
family died with cholera. They next moved to Mason Co., and settled at Long 
Point lion, where be lived until 1861, when he enlisted in*' 

38th I. \ . I . ami was four and a half years in the war. and was Corporal. On bis 
return, he married Maw Himmel, daughter of John Himmel. They al once settled nn 
the present farm of 160 acres, 120 of whioh was inherited by his marriage, and 40 he 
bas made by his own labor and management Tiny have five children -Emma, Lula, 
Katie, Clara, and an infant deceased. He and bis wife are members of the Evangelical 
Church at Bishop's Station and have been since L866; be is now Trustee in the Church 
and - ii the Sabbath school . be has been School Director -i.\ years, and is now 

he also held the office of Roadmaster 

CONRAD HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer P <> Topeka; son of Adam 

Hiu 1. whose genealogy is given in the Bketch of his son, T. F. Himmel, which 

appears in this work; was born Mas 28, 1843, on a farm in Germany; when 



QUIVER TOWNSHIP. 

old, be came with his parents to Mason Co., III., and settled on the farm where bis 
father now lives, and remained there until 1867, at whiob time he made his home on 
the present farm of 300 acres, about one-half of which be has made by his own labor 
and management, and by his improvements, ha> transformed into a farm whiob ranks 
among the very best. In 1867, be was married lo Elizabeth Bishop, of Dlino 
daughter of Henry Bishop, of Mason Co., III.; she was hum in 1844; they began life 
together, on their new farm, whiob was bui little improved, and by frugality, have made 
a happj home for their six children, five of Whom are living — Mary M., Evaline, Clara. 
Emmit B. and Lewis \\'.; one deceased —Conrad Mr. Himmel unite, 1 with the Evan- 
gelical Church at the age of 1 I. in which he still continues; his wife is also a member 
He has held the office of Church Trustee, ami is new Steward, and has also been 
Superintendent of Sabbath school. 

T. F. HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer; P. 0. Topeka; son of Adam Himmel, who 
was hum in 1803, and came with his family to Illinois in 1848. Being one of the early 
settlers of this county, he early engaged in improving the raw prairie, and by the assist- 
ance of his industrious companion, whose maiden name was Wise, they had gathered a 
portion of this world's goods ere their allotted threescore years had passed. This accu- 
mulation has heen handed down to their nine children. They were both church mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Association, in which communion she died in 1866. She was 
born in 18u4, and of course did not reach the allotted span of life, as has her companion 
who is now 7b" years old. with a prospect of adding yet more years to a ripe old age. The 
subject of this sketch was born April 17. 1851, on a farm in Mason Co., 111., where be 
remained with his father, until married, June 6, 1871, to Elmira Yunker, daughter of 
Lawrence Yunker, of Germany. She was horn May 16, L 854, and came with her people 
to Illinois, in 1860; they now live in Peoria Co. After marriage they settled on tie- 
old homestead of their father, of l!»'l aires, half of which he has made by his own labor 
and management, and the rest was inherited; his aged father, of whom we have spoken, 
makes his home with him. Their marriage blessed them with four children — Annie, 
Frank, Liddie and Elmira; he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at 
Bishop's Station, in which association's Sabbath school, he has held the offices of Libra- 
rian and Treasurer. Mr. Himmel makes a specialty of shelling corn for the public. 
He is agent for Smith's American and the Mendota Organ Companies, and takes quite 
an interest in music, an enthusiasm which began in 1870, during which year, be attend 
ed the Northwestern College, at Plainfield, Will Co., 111. 

JOHN W. HIMMEL, farmer and Stock-dealer ; I'. < > Topeka: son of Adam 
Himmel, of Germany, who came to Illinois in 1846, and is still living in Quiver Town- 
Bhip. Mr. Himmel's mother's maiden name was Weiss, daughter of Henry Weiss, of ' ier- 
manv.a teacher and musician. The subject of this -ketch was bum Aug. 1 "-'. 1830, in Ger- 
many, and remained there until 16, occupied with going to school ;.t Weinln-iin ; in 
1846, he came to New Orleans, and shortly afterward to St. Louis, Mo., and 
engaged in the Arsenal, making Cartridges for the Mexican war, continuing for five 
years, when he came to Mason Co., 111., and engaged iii working on a farm for hisunole 
George Himmel for four years; he then went to making rails; in 1 ■*."> I. he began farm- 
ing for himself, on a farm now owned by J. Shrine, and remained there four year.-; in 
1858, he bought the present farm of L60 acres, which be has made one of fine quality; 
he has added largely to his land, owning also quite an amount in Iowa. His man 
with Elizabeth Pfeit, daughter of John I Mi-it. ol Germany, was celebrated in 1854; 
nine children wen- the fruit of this union. In 1851, Mr. Himmel experienced relig- 
ion in the Evangelical Association, in which work he throw- his whole soul, and has 
been a local minister siie- 1858; hi- wife and pari of the children are members of the 

Same denomination ; he has held offices in the church, and wa- T'\\ oship Collector fol 
era! years, and is. at present. Township Treasurer and Assess r. and has been for ten 
years; he is alBO Treasurer of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of Mason Co.; 
he prides himself on Becuring for his children valuable literatur id. here. 

what friends and neighbors have -aid to us of him would appear too mmh of flattery 
for these pages. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETI BBS: 

.1. W. KELLEY, fanner; P. < >. Topeka; son of Samuel and Anna Kelley; the 
former was born in Delaware in 1 77*'.. and was a fanner and millwright . his wit. 
born abonl 17~- in Delaware; her maiden name wa Needles The Bubject of this 

li was born dun. B, 1819, in Delaware, where he remained until 1829, whei 
family moved by team to Ohio, settling Dear Dayton, and engaged in farming 
rather, the subject of Bketch, Borne time, subsequently, engaged in blacksmithii 
during tli>- timi they were there, Mi Kelley's rather died, thus leaving his son in 
care of a widowed mother, who ram.- with him to Illinois in 1854, and Bottled on 
the farm where they now reside; tin- farm, of 306 acres, was, at that time, raw 
prairie, but now, by his labor, has become fine, arable land ; the means by which Mr. 
Kelley acquired and improved this farm were entirely the fruits of bis own labor. Efis 
marriage with Clarissa Benham, daughter "f It. Benham, of Miami Co., Ohio, was 
celebrated in 1843; seven children were the fruit of this union — three are deo 

• l sepia Casaie and William; t" m r living — Clarence (who taught Bchool and gradu- 
ated at Lincoln University in L 879, and is now reading law with Dearborn A Camp- 
bell, at Havana . Mollie, Frank and Charlie. Mr. Kelley has tilled a full share of 
those humble, hut important and useful positions in tin- schools, and as Township 
Trustee, and is now a member of the Board of 8up lected in 1873, and h - 

'('• . n an active men ber ever Binoe. 

DAVID KEPFORD, farmer; P.O. Topeka; son ..f David Kepford, of Penn- 
sylvania; born in 1803, and was a farmer, plasterer, stone and brick mason and car- 
penter. His mother's maiden name was llartel — daughter of Mr. Bartel — who died 
when she was quite young ; David Kepford was hern dan. •_".". 1 B36, on a farm in < >hio, 
and remained there until 7 years old, when the family moved by team to Indiana 
and settler! iii Noble Co., where they engaged in farming, plastering, brick and Btone 
work and carpentering . in 1857, he came to Illinois and settled on the present farm of 
120 acres, earned mostly by their own management He married, in 1858, Hannah 
Colwell, daughter of William Col well, a local minister of the M B. Church. He died 
in 1861 His wife still survives, and makes her home near Bloomington, III., with her 
daughter; they have >ix children — Mary A.. Luella G., Bmma, Charlotte, Claretta, 
and one not named; he ha- held achool offices. He and hi- wife are members of the 
M K Church, of Topeka. in which he has held office as Steward, and i». at present, a 
Director of same. 

MRS JANE LITTELL, farmer ; P. Topeka; daughter of Stephen Brown, a 
farmer of New Jersey; her mother's maiden name was Bishop, daughter of .1 
Bishop. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 9, 1815, on a farm in New Jen 
remained there- until married, in 1833, to Aaiun Littell, of New Jersey. Thej settled 
in New Jersey for four or five years, and, in 1840, they came to Illinois, and settled in 
1 d in farming, renting for three years, when they came t > 

H "ii Co., Iii . and boos entered vn acres of land, which they .-.tiled on, ami which 

n their home. They have increased this U) 240 acre-, and have made it a 

tine tain:. Mi karon Littell was son of Nathaniel Littell, whose wife's maiden name 
1 er ; h< has held the office <>f Supervisor of Quiver Township, and was jair- 
chabine agent for the Grangers, which he held ap to the time of hi> death, in 1875 
lie and hi- wife were members of the Baptist < 'hurcfa of Mt. Bethel, N. V.. their anion 
blessed them with ten children, three now dead — Sophy, William. Carrie, wife ol 
Bryck; the livi Stephen, Harriet M C. Nathaniel, Kate, Esther and 

Libbie 

I T LESOURD, farmer; P. <> Topeka; son of Joseph and Rachel Lesourd. 
The former was horn in 1 B09, in < >hio. and was a fanner of that ime 

was Gossard, daughter of Charles Gossard, of Maryland; she i- still living with her 
husband, in Topeka, III. (' T. Lesourd was born rob. 1, 1843, on a farm in Butler 
Ohio, and remained thereuntil 24, engaged in farming and horse-dealing. He 
menced working for himself when about 19, on his father's farm, in partnership with 
Win <i. Lesourd. In 1867, he came to Mason Co., [Unsettling and engaging in farm- 
ing . he rented of < Saleb Slade, two years in 1 B67, he bought the present farm, but did 



QUIVER TOWNSHIP. 8/< 

not settle on it until lst;;i ; he rented the farm to .1. (\ Newlin. In 1870, he married 
Vallora Curtis, daughter of A. W. Curtis, a farmer of Butler Co., Ohio; she was horn 
in 1844, attended school at Oxford, Ohio, and has taughl school ten years. They have 
two children, Elvyn and Alfred. His wile is •• member of the M. E. Church a( Topeka. 
He has held offices connected with the schools and roads, and was elected Constable in 
1876, which he still holds. He has 100 acres of land under fine improvement. 

J. C. REMASTERS, wagon-maker and carpenter, Topeka ; Bon of I'. W. 
Lemaster, of Kentucky, who was of French descent, a farmer, and an early settler of 
Hancock Co., 111.; he came to Mason Co. in 1869, and is now in Nebraska ; his wife's 
maiden name was Crahb. daughter of Vincent Crabb, of Ohio ; she died in 1865, in 
Illinois. J. C. Lemasters was horn April 4, 1846, on a farm in Brown Co., Ohio, and 
remained there until 2 years old, when he came with the family to Eancock ('<>.. 111., 
and there remained until I860, when he came to Fulton Co., 111., and engaged in work- 
ing by the month for three months, afterward returning to Ohio and working on a farm 
for his uncle, V. M. Crabb, and soon after removed to Fulton Co.. and engaged on a 
farm for Miles ct Warner for two years. In 1867, he came t<» Mason County, and 
engaged in teaching at Ebenezer, afterward teaching at the Bishop Schoolhouse, and in 
Topeka. He then engaged in merchandising, in partnership with T. J. Metzler, for six 
months; Mr. Metzler then withdrew, aud Lemaster continued the business for <ix 
months, and then moved the stock to Lone Tree. Neb., where he continued in mer- 
cantile business for six months, and then engaged in farming for four years. In 187 
he returned to Mason Co., and soon engaged in carpentering an! wagon-making at 
Topeka, in which he still continues. He was married, in 1870, to Libby Todd, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Todd, and sister of Thomas and George Todd, whose sketches appear 
elsewhere; she was born Aug. 15, 1845. They have two children — Lena M. and 
Clara R. Mr. Lemaster has held the office of Town Clerk, and is at present Clerk ; lie 
was School Director in Nebraska. He and his wife are members of t he 31. E. Church 
at Topeka. of which he is Steward; he is also Vice President of the Sabbath school- of 
Quiver Township, and is also a Sunday-school teacher at Topeka. 

J. M MrRKYNOLDS, farmer; P. 0. Topeka; son of Robert MeReynolds, who 
was born April 13, 1791. and was a turnpike builder, railroad contractor, canal digger, 
distiller and farmer ; he came to Illinois in 1838; was a farmer during his career in 
Illinois, except while in the office of County Judge and Assessor. He married Susanna 
Moyer, daughter of John Mover, of German descent; she was born Nov. 14, loOl, 
in Pennsylvania ; they had nine children, six of whom survive. Robert MeReynolds 
died Nov. 1."), 1872. J. M. MeReynolds was born Sept. S, 1822, in Columbia Co., 
Penn. In 1838, the family 'came by team and rail to Peoria, 111.; shortly afterward, lii< 
father bought and settled on some land in what is now Havana Township, where ,) . M. 
remained until lSd". January 22. 1840, he was married by Rev. T. C. Lapas, of the 
M. E. Church, to Catharine A. Dentler ; their children were Robert II.. Lemuel W.. 
Eliza J. (who has taught school . Eugene, Ely, Fannie A. and Willis I). His wife 
died Dec. 13, 1855; she was a member of the M. E. Church. He was married, Feb. 
2, 1860, to Mary Cadwalader ; by this marriage he was blessed with seven children — 
Clara C, Adelbert C, Luella M.. Oscar II., an infant, deceased, John C. and Ralph 
B. Mr. MeReynolds has held the office of Supervisor for fcWO terms and has been con- 
nected with the schools as Trustee and Director; he was once A or of what was 

then Mason 1'lains Township. They are members of the M. E. Church at Topeka. 
111. Mr. MeReynolds settled on his present farm of 230 acres in 1847, obtained 
entirely by bis own labor and management. He is devoted tu the Church and to his 
family, who cherish him as a faithful and loving father. 

H. C. MoINTIRE, fanner anil dealer in stock. Havana ; BOn of William Mcln- 
tire, who was b >ni in Ireland, and came to Philadelphia, Penn., when quite young, and 
learned street- paving ; he died in 1 85 C l.eiiiLT killed by horses running away. His 
mother's maiden name was Wilson, daughter of William Wilson, of Danish and I 
man descent, and an early settler of New Jersey. II. C. M> Intire was DOTO May 12. 
1824, in Philadelphia, and remained there until lb, when they moved to New .)■ 



328 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

and were t h»-r.- until 1840, at which time they moved to rilii»- »i— by team, as was cus- 
tomary in those daya, and settled in Jersey Co . ML "ii a farm which they bought, and 

:■•'! in farming and running a threahing machine. His wages on the farm during 
part -■; this time were 19 per month. In the winter of 1845 16, he made two trips 
Orleans, driving cattle for Robhins & Hay - of St Louis, [n March, 1846, he 
began farming, renting of Russell, I 111., for two yean; he afterward ran 

a machine in connection with hi- farming M Mclntire worked with the first thresh- 
ing machine and cleaner that ever ran in Illinois, which was in 1 ^ 1 1 ; in 1850, he 

' t a machine m partnership with C. S Thompson, one year afterward buying him 
In 1851, hi Mason Co. settling in I rownship, and, in the fall 

of 1851, In- bought tlir present farm of 80 acres, ami, in tin- spring of 1863, thej 
tied "ii tin- same. Nov. 28, 1 B52, he was married to Lucy T. Wheeler, daughter of 
John I' Wheeler, of Maryland; he was a farmer, miller and tavern-keep r. Her 
mother's name was Payne a cousin of Zachary Taylor, tin- President; also cousin of 
Col. Richard M. Johnson; she was born Dec. 12, 1833, in Kentucky, ami name t" 
Illinois when quite young. Ten children were the fruit of this marriage— William 
nnie M.. Emma deceased), Lizzie M Susan and Johnny 

(twins, both deceased . Deb Drab., Hudson, Freddie deceased). Mr. Mclntire makes a 

ialty of tiin- fruit-, ami is at present breeding fine horses He has been no offiee- 

i. but was Vict President of the first Agricultural ami Horticultural Society f 
< was Corresponding Secretary and Secretary of tin- same. 

GEORGE W. TODD, farmer; 1'.' < » Topeka; is a son of Joseph Todd, ami 
brother of Thomas Todd whose ^k.-t.-h ap] where in this work. Tin.- subject 

hese notea was born in December, 1848, in Ohio; when quite young, he came with 
tin- family to Mason Co., 111., where they made their future home; when 20 yean old, 
he began farming, which In- still continues. In 1870, he was married to Kate Atwatcr, 
a daughter of William Atwater; .-In- was born April 7. ] < \'.k in Mason Co., 111.: they 
settled "H ;, part of tin- old homestead of hi- father, ami soon afterward sold it t<> his 

ami moved t" Nebraska, where In- far 1 on a claim of 160 scree; they wen 

there marly two yean, ami then returned u> Dlinois, ami soon afterward l><>UL r ht eighty 

acres of the old homestead, which is his present abode; In- has made L r 1 improve 

ments. Mr. [\)dd has been no office-seeker, ami hence has confined his whole attention 
!•> farmiog ami stock-raising; they have two children— Lillie ami Emma, 

TlloMAS H.TODD, farmer; P. O. Topeka; ia a son of Joseph Todd, of x 
land, who was born about 1800, ami died in l^T". ami was a farmer, ami cm- of dm 
early settlers of Mason <'". Ill Hi- wife's maiden name was Nanoy DeWitt, daughter 
ter DeWitt; a farmer of Pennsylvania; sin- was^orn Oct 1. 1812, in Penn- 

mia, and died Mas 6, I860 The subject of this sketch was born Nov. 23, 1841, 
in Ohio; when 1- yean old, In- came with tin- family t" [llinoia, ami settled with them 
on Pisk's farm in Mason Co., for "in- year; they then farmed for Coon until 1854, 
win n they moved upon tin- present farm of 240 acres, which i- now of fine quality ; 
tin- old homestead contains W0 acres . their father remained there until death, at which 
time tin- farm was divided among tin- children, ami Mr. Todd bought out some of the 
h-irs. ami has now 240 teres In 1861, he enlisted in <'■ \. 28th 1. V. I., ami was 
there until tin- close; hews 9 r int. On his return from the war, In- engaged in 
farming, whioh he still continues. In 1872, he waa married, by B . Henry E Decker, 

[artha •! Human daughter of John Duncan, of Pennsylvania; her mother's 
maiden mum- M I' .1.1 was born Feb. 2, 1844, in Pennsylvania, and came 

to Illinois in 1862; her father is dead ; her mother is still living ; they have three chil- 
dren- -Joseph ('.. born Nov. 12, 1874; Annie K. Nov. 20, 1 ^ 7 1 '. . ami Johnny, Peb. 
1 I. 1879. II.- has held "tin-,- of Bchools ami roads, ami i- a member of th< Pal 
of Husbandry . In- ami wife are members of M. K Church at Topeka. 

\ W VEB BKTCK, farmer and teacher; P. O Topeka ; ia the son of Richard 
\ erBryok, wh i was born in L873, in N and was, in hi- younger 'lav-, a oab- 

inet-makcr, afterward a sailor and -hip carpenter until he was about 33, when In- b 
painting portra i miniature paintings; this he continued until his death, 



MAN1T0 TOWNSHIP. 8*29 

which occurred in 18i>7. The people of [odiana well remember this fine artist, and 
will long continue to praise his works. Hi- companion i Miss Whitenack I was a daugh- 
ter of Andrew Whitenack, of New Jersey; Bhe was born in 180S and died in 1861. 
The subjeol of this sketch was born Nov. 25, 1846, in Warren Co., Ohio, near Leb- 
anon, the scat of the National Normal School ; at the age of 1". In' (Mine with the 
family, to Johnson Co., [ml., where his father and mother departed from him; he there 
attended school at the Hopewell Academy, preparatory to attending the State Univer- 
sity at Indianapolis, Ind.. which he entered in 1862, and failed to complete the course 
on account of a disease of the eyes; in 1865, he completed a course in the Commercial 
Department at Indianapolis; in 1871, he tame to Champaign Co., 111., and farmed one 
year; afterward came to Mason Co., 111., and bought and settled eight) acres of land 
three and one hall' miles from Mason City, which he farms during the sumim r; in the 
winter of L872, he began teaching, and has taught every winter since but one; he 
taught two terms at Topeka, 111. : he is engaged for the winter term at the Walker Dis- 
trict, Mason Co. He was married, in 1871, to Caroline Littell, of Mason (\> . daughter 
of Aaron Littell. a farmer, one of the early settlers of Mason Co. This marriage of Mr. 
Ver Bryck to Miss Littell blessed them with one child — Walter O. He has held the 
office of Town Clerk. 



MANITO TOWNSHIP. 

GEORGE BLACK, hotel, Manito; was born in Blair Co., Penn., Dee. 24. 1810, 
and remained there until 18.")7. engaged in farming and teaming; his first efforts in 
tanning were in 1841, at which time he rented of Hawkins for two years, and next of 
A. R. Bell six years; he next moved to Mr. Hell's brother's farm for five years, moving 
next to Tazewell Co., Ill, remaining there two years; he next rented a farm of H. 
Alwood for two years, afterward renting of Alexander Trent two years, and then of 
Mrs. Whitehead four years, after which he bought the present hotel in Manito, 111., 
moving there in 1865, and has recently improved it very much ; it is the only hotel in 
town, and has a very good patronage. He was married, in 1834, to Rebecca Manley, 
a daughter of a worthy tailor by trade; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn. . they had 
eleven children. Mr. Black is now tilt years old, and hut one year of his allotted three- 
ami ti :i remains; yet he bids fair for a few more sunny days to ripen his good old 

JOSEPH DAILY, farmer; P. 0. Manito: was born in 1829, in Ireland, and 
remained there until 15 years old, when he went, with his mother, to England, and 
iged in driving Btage-coaches ; in 1854, he came to New York and worked for Pres- 
ident Fillmore tin- seven months; he then mined coal in Virginia for three months; he 
then came to St. Louis and remained some time, when he went to Kingston. III., and 
engaged in mining; he next started a coal mine for himself near Peoria, in 1856, and 
Some time afterward, started another at or near l'ekin. where he succeeded very well ; 
he hauled his coal to Mason City and exchanged it for corn, which he hauled hack and 
sold at l'ekin ; in 1859, he -tarted another mine near Lancaster Landing, in partnership 
with Joseph Steward, and continued one winter; he then lived in l'ekin for >ix years, 
t aming; he then moved to Manit >, 111., and engaged in lumbering and buying grain; 
in 1864, he bought eighty acres in Manito Township; in L867, he settled on it and has 
increased it to 640 acres; when Mr. Daily began business at l'ekin. hi had just five 
cents. Was married, in I860, to Mary Fox. of Ireland; they have had two children — 
Joseph, who died in 1865, and Joseph, horn in 1^'iii. lb' has property in Manito 
worth 81. huh. and in l'ekin $2,000, al.-o Kill acres of land in Tazewell Co. ; he has held 
the office of Highway Commissioner and Roadmaster. 

R. S. KAK1X. lumber-dealer. Notary Public, collecting agent, Mini:... was born 
Oct. L'">. 1827, in Greene Co., 111., on farm, an I remained there until 10 \ when 

he moved, with his father, to Whitehall, where he engaged in merchandising with his 



v -'l" BIOGB LPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

father for two yean . his father then moved to Montezuma, III., and engaged in m r- 
ohandising for some time, when his rather built a stone mill. Mr. ESakin worked ti>r bis 
father until -'.'>. at masonry, carpentering and fanriing. In 1851, Mr. ESakin went t.. 
Pulton Co., and settled at ESllisville and engaged in carpentering and improving a (arm. 
He remained until August; Bpring of 1852, he began teaming with A Eloper, of 
Montezuma, and remained until 1853 I pan of this time laying track on 

T . W \ W l; l; [n the fall of 1853, he returned to Fulton Co., settling at Fairview, 
.mil was occupied in tannin.:, plastering and Btone work, until thr Bpring <>t' 1855, when 
he learned daguerreotyping, with W. II. Seaving, of Canton, 111. In 1855, be returned 
Montezuma ami engaged in daguerreotpying there, and in Scott Co., until tin- Call, 
ami then worked at plastering ami I .r i«-k -l:i_vi n^r until Dec 22, when he was taken sick, 
ami was confined until February; after his recovery, he went to Fulton <"... on business, 
ami. nil return worked at Btonemasonry until 1856, when he left tin- Moroy, and hi. 
in plastering till the close of season, returning then to his home in Pike Co., where he 
remained until March, 1857, wheu he went to Spring Laki T . w/ell Co.. ami eng 
in pla-ti i im_ r ami improving hi- farm until Bpring of 1858, win n in was elected A 

ind appointed collector of taxes for ESzekiel A. Poe; he was also engaged in farm- 
ing, but was unfortunate, by reason of crops railing, ami. in 1859, he came to Manito, 
111., ami Btopped at it C Bartram's during the winter; next changing his home t" J. 
K <'■•.-. here he remained, engaged in trading, until I860, whenhe worked at Pekin, 
laying bricl with H. Ribbet, until midsummer, when be was again taken sick. In tin- 
fall i.f I860, Mr. Kakin began 1 boarding with 13. F. Nash, ami remained there until he 
enlisted in .Inly. 1861, in Co. <'. 2d I. V. C . anil remained until Aug. 16, 1862, when 
be was wounded at the battle of Merriweather's Ferry, Tenn. . was takt n t" hospital 
at I fnion ( 'it v. ami remained until < tot. 30, when he was discharged by < len. < J rant 
returned home from Cairo, on horseback, and became administrator of his father's 
. who had died in 1861 ; also settling up his own business, and making his home 
with Nash until spring, at which time he found his business Buch as i" demand a settle- 
ment, which In- mail. — by paying bis creditors lnu cents on the dollar, leaving him only 

his clothes, l">"k>. ami Bonie i i' notes. Shortly afterward, he purchased hi- prest nt n -i- 

dence, and rented thr same ti> Dr. .1 W. Neal. In April, 1863, he went to Browi 
ami engaged in canvassing for •• Abbott's History until June, when he was again taken 
-irk. recovering in time to attend the celebration at Quincy, 111. . he then went to M 

.ml canvassed for " Mitchell's Atlas'' until August . not Bucceeding well, he re- 
turned t . ManitO Aug. 20, and engaged at plastering and bricklaying until l v 7t'>. when 
he went into the lumber bubiness at Manito, which bo still continues. Dei 25, he was 
married, in sihni.lhi.u-i' in Manito, to Minnie Ziegenbein, born in Germany; they have 
three children— Lillian, Ernest J. and Daisy B. His wit;- is in the millinery busii 
at Manito, and is doing well. Mr. Kakin has held office* of Police Magistrate now in 

id term . Notary Public at present ; has been Trustee of Scl Is, and President of 

Board of Trustees; March 7. H7 1. he was appointed School Treasurer, and -till holds 
that office; was Trust f Manito, and was once candidate for County Clerk, but was 

ited ; i- insurance agent for the Hartford Insurance Co . is a charter member of 
Manito !.• L \ 176, \ I .\ \ M . and now In. Ms the office of W. M. in same. 

JOHNFURREB farmer; P.O Manito; was born June 9, 183£ on a farm in Ger- 
many, where be remained until 1 I years old, when he came with hi- parents to Illinois, 
and settled in Mason Co . and has been here ever Bin© He Bret engaged in farming 
for M r. Akers, mar Top ika; after hurd working three years, for $10 a month, he worked 
for himself, on what is the Kidman farm, for tin In 1864, he was married to 

Lidda Stogley, of Pennsylvania; after marriage they BetUed on Mr. Starrett's farm, 
ami remained two years, after which he moved to Mr. Schrink's farm, and baa been 
then period of twelve years They have li.ur children— Sarah. William. 

Lindy and Melia, deceased. I members of 'In 1 Lutheran Church, Mr. Furrer 

takes quite an interest in educating his children, furnishing them excellent literature 

IMA W B GILMORE, clergyman, Manito; was born April 4, 1836, in 
Mechanicsville, N. J., remained there until l years old, when his parents moved '■> 






MANITO TOWNSHIP. 831 

Springfield, 111., and remained a year ; they then moved to FairvPw, FultOD Co., where 
his father now lives; his mother's maiden name was Vanordstrand. He attended 
school while he was with his parents, and at length studied Latin and Greek, under Rev. 
Mr. Jerolmon ; during 1859 and 1860, he taught school at Fairview. In September, 

18G1, he went to Holland, Mich., and attended the Hope College, at that place, where 
be graduated in 18G(i; he then commenced his course in the Faith Seminary, at Fair- 
view, in which he graduated in 1869. He then went to Amelia Court House, Va., and 

engaged in the Amelia Institute, remaining tour years. During this time, he married 
Christine C. Van Ralte, daughter of Rev. A. C. Nan Ralte, founder of the colony of 
Holland, Mich. ; they moved to Holland, Mich., where he engaged as Principal of the 
Female Academy for a year. Owing to ill health, he ahandoned teaching, and came to 
Spring Lake, Tazewell Co., and took charge of the lleform Church there. In 1876, he 
began his labors at Mauito, where he now resides; has held almost all offices connected 
with the Church. All through life, he has depended upon his own resounds ; he gave 
instruction in music while in the Institute at Michigan. He has had four children — A. 
C. V. R., Willie B. S., d.ed June 25, 1871 ; Margaret A., died Feb. '21, 187!> ; Frank 
E., died Feb. 13, 1879. 

( I FORGE HECKMANN, blacksmith and carriage-maker. Manito ; was born Aug. 
lid, 1831, in Baden, Germany, and remained there until August, 1853, when he came 
to Jvew York and engaged in his trade, blacksmithing and wagon-making, for two years, 
alter which he came to Pekin, 111., and worked for T. & H. Smith at smithing for 
eleven years. In 1866, he was in business for himself in Pekin for a year. In Sep- 
tember, he moved to Manito, 111., settling in partnership with N. Weber until Dec. 13, 
1871, when the firm of Heckmann & Weber moved to Pekin and remained there in 
business until 1874, when Mr. Heckmann sold to Fry k Weber, and returned to Manito, 
July '24, and engaged in the present business. Mr. Heckmann has accumulated a little 
fortune; has a shop, house and three lots in Manito and 106 acres of land in Tazewell 
Co.. under tine improvement, earned entirely by his careful management. IF' baa 
been a member of the M. E. Church twenty-three years; his wife and two children are 
also members. He was married, Jan. 2-1, 1856, to Mary F. Weber, of Pekin; they 
have had ten children — Lizzie (dead), George, Freddie (dead), Philip, Arthur, Anna, 
Lewis, Liddie, Ida, and Frankie. George is woiking at wagon-making in Kansas Pity. 
Mr. Heckmann has held the office of Town Trustee. 

THOMAS HI LP, farmer; P. < ). Manito; was born in England in 1825, on a 
farm, and remained there until 1851, engaged in farming with his father. lb' cone to 
New York ; remained but a short time; then came to Illinois, settling at Knoxville for 
Bix months, making brick ; he then worked on a farm in Knox Co. for Bainbridge, for 
one winter, when he hired out to Squire Marks for a year, and afterward went to Peoria 
and engaged in working in a tavern for Prince, where he remained some four years; he 
then worked at farming at Princeviile for three years for himself; from there lie came 
to Mason Co. and engaged in farming for himself, renting of B. Prettyman ; he then 
went to what is called Egypt and engaged on F. Alwood's farm for two years. Nov. 
22, L862, he was married to Nancy C. Charlton, of Clark Co.. 111.; some time after 
marriage, they bought land and settled on it and rented; be sold out in a year and 
rented a farm of ( George All's for three years ; from there they came to the present farm 
of 240 acres. Kill ot which they inherited and the rest they have obtained by their own 
labor; the land is worth probably 8-">it per acre. His wife had the following children 
before marrying .Mr. Hill — lame- P.. A. Lincoln. William IP; after this marria 
John T., George W., Annie, Mary died Oct. PC 1864, Sargent M., Cornelius K 

( lolumbuS, Sarah A. I dead . Charlie. 

MATTHEW LANGSTON, farmer; P ( >. Manito; was bom dune I. L824, in 

Rutherford Co.. Tenn., on a farm, and remained there some time : when quite young, 
t.e went to Missouri, and his lather there engaged in farming and a- a wheelwright for 
some two years; they came, in the fall of 1828, to Illinois, and settled in Morgan C >- 
now Scott i, on a farm ; Mr. LangStOD remained at home until 1843, at which time he 
went into partnership with his brother and bought a saw-mill of their father, owning 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHE8: 

and ranning it until the Bpring of l^.">u. when he Bold onl and moved i" Mason ('•• 
ami improved a farm, which be Bold in 1873; he was I in mercantile btu 

M mito from 1866 until 1873, in which year he went to Kansas ami fanned a 
ri*t urninir anil settling in Bianito, III., "ii Borne property which tiny now own ; In- i- now 
managing and farming a piece nf land owned by Peter W. <ia_v. of Manito Township; 
he w I "ii'- year in the war with Mexico, and. in the late war, was Captain of 

a company in 1 1 1 . - B5th I. Y. I . he has held various offices in the township ami 
district, such as Justice of the Peace in Manito, one "!' the first Commissioners who 

laid off the township. Supervisor of Manito Township sis years, Scl 1 Trustee and 

isurer, Road Commissioner, Collector one term ; elected County Jud I two 

yenrs and then resigned, and, in the (all of 187< cted Representative from the 

Sixty-First District id' Illinois, winch position he tilled with honor; he is a member oi 
Lodge No 176, A P. \ A M , of Manito; his education was very limited ; bestn 
arithmetic but eleven days ; bj Becuring all kinds of valuable literature, he has made 
himself both useful and beneficial. Mr. Langston's father was a minister and early 
educated his Bon. Was married, in 1848, t" Elisabeth Havens, of Illinois; she died 
in February, 1850; in January, 1851, In- was married t<> Sarah Havens, a Bister of his 
first wile; they have five children — William M., Elisabeth, Rebecca, Ellen, Edward. 

d. I! McCLl GGAGE, physician and surgeon, Manito; was born in Holmes 
Ohio, dun.- 13, 1844, on a farm; when 1<'> years old, he went to Southern Ohio, 

engaged in farming with his lather, until 1865, when he came to Illinois, 
settling in Mason Co., working on a farm by the month, -■ ling to school in 
winter; in the fall of l v i>7. he commenced leaching school at the Walker district ; he 
continued teaching in Illinois until 1871, when lie went t<> Nebraska ami engaged in 
ind laboring; he taught there in the rammer of 1871, and winter of l-7"_' 
and spring of 1873, after which he returned (■> Mason Co., HI., and read medicine at 

n City, with l>r. I N. Bllsbury, until the fall of 1875, when lie began attending: 
Rush Medical College at Chicago, graduating in 1877, when he returned home and 
began practicing medicine at Manito ami has met with good raccess; during the win- 

!' 1878, Id- office burned up in connection with Dr. Walker's, ami consumed everj 
medical In. iik in town; he is a' present Highway Commissioner. Hi' was married, in 
April. 1-77. to Clara Todd, of Topeka, 111.; the) have one child— Thorn 

BENJAMIN RUTH EN BURG, merchant, Manito; was born in 1819 in Prussia 
remained there until ?1, when he went into the army for two years; in 1843, he came 
• Baltimore ami from tin re t,> Philadelphia, thence to Nashville, Tenn., where he 

11 merchandising, afterward moving to New Orleans ami engaging in sellii 

he then moved tn St Louis, in 1845, and, in partnership with his brother, dealt in dry 

Is for bue years, when he sold out and next engaged as clerk in merchandising for a 

tirm in Agency City, Iowa, which he afterward bought ami continued in until 1859, in 

whnh year he married Mrs. Dolinda Sparks. Witherforth ; she had t« 1 dgar 

Hubbard Sparks; Edgar owns a farm of 200 acres which he ami his brother man 
- I, Mr. Ruthenburg engaged in merchandising in Spring hake Town until 
1863, when he can, M • . ami engaged iii merchandising; in l s 77. he transf 
his business to his step-son He was a Justice of the Peace at Spring Lake ami also 
member of the first Town Board <'i' Manito; be owns property worth $2,000, earned 
entirely b\ his own labor and management. 

Vl w ROGERS Parmer; I' <» Manito; was born Oct. 14, 1825, in Clark 
^ Ky., on a farm ami remained thereuntil 6 years old, when he went with John < 

in old Virginia; Mi J hn I R Baptist minister, who married W. Boni- 

field, of Virginia; they moved to Illinois in 1831, and Bettled in Morgan <'".. on a 
farm, where Mr. Rogers lived until 1850. In 1848, hewas married toRi Lang- 

Bt on, of Tennessee ; they settled, Sbme time after, on Hugh Davis' farm for a year, 
afterward renting for a year; be then moved to a farm owned by Livingston, in ! 
well Co., far a year; in 1851, he Bettled the present farm of 160 acres, then a raw 

prairie, Inn qow, by improvement, is 01 f the fines! farms in the country . Mr Ii 

made his happy home b) his own labor and management; he takes an interest in all 



MANITO TOWNSHIP. 

modern improvements, having on his farm utensils worth laboring with ; in an early day, 
he took quite an interest in starting hedges; he has taken much care iii selecting and 
cultivating tine fruits for home use; has held offices of Supervisor, Road Commissioner 
and Pathmaster. lias five children — Lucinda S., John \\\, Mary lv. rlhoda H. and 
Nellie E. ; John has taught school and is now attending the institute £t Mason Cit\ 
Mrs. Rogers is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

W. B. ROBINSON, builder and contractor, Manito; was born Sept. 15, 
1836, in Uniou Co., Perm., and remained there until Id years old. His father 
was a tailor by trade and also followed piloting on the Susquehanna River. When 
Mr. Robinson was 10 years old his father died, leaving him an entire orphan, his 
mother having died when he was (i months old ; he came to Tazewell Co., 111., when 
about 10 years old, in company with his brotherdndaw, Mr. Boone, and settled at 
Pekin for some three years ; when about 17, began to work at carpentering, and has 
been at it ever since; after leaving Pekin, they went to what is called Egypt, Tazewell 
Co., and settled on a farm for some five years; Mr. Robinson then came to Egypt Sta- 
tion (now Manito i ; in 1861, he unlisted in Co. A. 28th I. V. I., and remained in the 
service until April b, 1866 ; he went, out as a drummer, in which capacity he served 
two years, and was then appointed by the Colonel Regimental Postmaster and afterward 
Brigade Postmaster; on his return from the war, he settled in Manito and soon married, 
Aug. .*!, lSfiti. Mrs. Martha Boon-, daughter of George Black; she had one child — 
Ella A. Boone ; by their marriage they had two children — Drusilla R. and \\\ \V. Mr. 
Robinson has held the office of President of Board of Trustees three years and is such 
at present; Village Trustee six terms; Justice of the Peace three year- and still holds 
the office; Town Clerk, Collector, and is now collector and insurance agent for the Phoe- 
nix, American Central, at St. Louis. Rockford, of Rockford, and Home, of New York; 
he also belongs to Lodge No. 476, A., F. & A. M .. of Manito ; he has held office of Secre- 
tary in the Lodge seven years; is now S. W. 

JOHN 0." RANDOLPH, farmer; P. 0. Manito; was born Dec. 9, 1810, in 
Virginia; son of Philip Randolph, who died before J. 0. Randolph was born; when 
Mr. Randolph was (! weeks old, his mother moved with him to Tennessee, when' she 
supported herself and children; when Mr. Randolph was 12 years old, he worked out for 
his board; at II!. he hired out at S3 per month, and was to go to school in winter: when 
he was 15, he was bound out to A. Blackburn, with whom he went from Sullivan Co., 
Ind., to La Porte Co., Ind., and engaged working on a farm for five years, when he 
began business for himself on a farm near Terre Haute, where his mother was living. 
In 1837, he married Elizabeth Best, of Harrison Co., Ind.; they lived in Yig ». Ind., 
six years. In 1843, he moved to Clark Co., 111., and engaged in farming and keeping 
woodyard, running a saw-mill and building boats; he remained until 1851, when he 
moved to Manito, 111., and settled on a farm, renting of Thomas Landrith ; in l v ">.; 
they bought a farm of K'<l acres in Manito Township, paying for it by their own labors ; 
in 1856, he went into mercantile business at Spring Lake, 111., and continued it until 
1850. when he returned to farming until 1871; in that year, he opened a grain busi* 
ness in Forest City, and continued it until 1876, when he moved to Manito; he sold 
his farm in 1S77 to P. VY. Thomas; he has a house and two lots in Forest City and a 

house and three lots in Manito. Has held office of .lustii f the Peace, Clark Co.. 

111.; Constable. Vigo Co., Ind.; Assessor, Manito Township; School Treasurer and 
Director. Clerk of Board of Trustees and has taught school. Has had seven children 
— Mary L.Susan lv. Mny P. dead), John F. dead . William C. dead . Margaret 
A. i dead I, Nancy J. dead I. 

lv A. ROSHER, Postmaster and dealer in dry g Is and notions, Manito; was 

born April 27, 1827, in G-ermany, and remained there until 1849, when he en;, 
New York. Btaying there a Bhori time, and then went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he 
engaged in the grocery business for three years; afterward, going to Peoria. III., and 
engaged in dry goods for eight years; he then moved to Manito, 111., and engaged in 
his present business, managing it ever since. In 1869, he was made Postmaster at this 
place and still holds that position; some time alter he became Postmaster, he ten 



33 1 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHES 

upon himself to procure the establishment here of :i money-order office. He was mar- 
ried, in 1850,' to Caroline Darris, by whom he had eleven children — Dora, William, 
Gustos, Eda, Charlie, Otto, Mena, [da, John, Emma died July l. 1-"'' Matilda 
died Dec 20, 1859); his wife died in 1^7 1. In l v 7-"». In- married a second time. 
Mr. Rosher is doing a first-class business and is u-in:_ r his means with frugality; his 
home is under fine improvement. 

RICHARD BAUTER, I ts nil shoes, Manito; whs born in Wittemburg April 

:'.. 1831, and remained there until 21, engaged in tin- boot ami si business; in May. 

i 352, he emigrated t.. New Fork, and soon went to Reading, Penn. and was engaged 
in -1 making for four years ; he next wenl t,. SteubenvUle ami worked t'<>r Kent 

. from there In- moved to Pekin, III., and worked at >li«>.in;ikiiiL- r for John \*«M<- 

moving from there to McLean Co., be settled at Danvers and engaged in the 

boot ami Bhoe business for himself tin- two years. Nov. 25, 1857, 1"- was married to 

Elisabeth Hotz, of Pekin. They Bhortly afterward moved to Havana, where In- "i 

in tin- Bame business, remaining until he came t<> Manito ; In 1 now has a happy home 

with two l"t> and a g 1 I t and Bhoe Bhop. Has held office of Trustee of Manito 

two terms; is a Freemason; In- was Vice President of the German Free School of 
Havana. 111. Names of his children — Philip, Matilda deceased . Emma (deocae 
Carl (deceased . Bertha, Margaret, Elizabeth, Sabina. Philip makes harness in connec- 
tion with his father's busini ss. 

KL\ \ SIEVING, minister, Manito; was tern Sept '.'. 1847, in Distriot of 
Melle, Hanover, Germany ; at the age ■ • t " T . he came with hi- parents t" St L rais. M 

where his rather was in the 1 t and shoe business for Beven years; here he attended 

school; in his 1 5th year, he began attending the Gymnasium College at Ft Wayne 
I ml., and remained six years; after graduating, he went to St. Louis, Mo., and attended 
irdia College for four years ; he graduated there and Boon after engaged in the 
ministry at Lincoln, Benton <'".. Mo., in the Lutheran Church ; remained there about 
tive years; he then came i:i I 876 t < ► the Egypt Lutheran Chu ch iii Mason Co. and i- 
-till rendering services at that place ; he has another appointment at Sand Prairie, 
Tasewell Co . which he founded ; he has taught school; was .8 iry of the Western 
District of the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States. Was married Maj 12, I 

M has three children — Charlie, Theodore, Augustus, besides Annie, an 

orphan girl, whom thej an raising. Mr. Sieving devotes bis entire attention to the 
ministry. 

PETER 8INGLEY, fanner; P. <> Manito; was born in 1817, in Pennsylvania, 
• ■II a farm, and remained until l s »il ; d in farming until _'l ; when hi 

25 years old, he began coal mining in Pennsylvania, and followed it for twenty-five 
• of which time he was under a boss, and afterward was foreman, the boss 
having been killed ; in 1850, he came to Dliooia, and bought i' which he paid 

for by hi- own lab »r; bis improvement on the same has made it one of the finest farms 
in the county. IL was married, first, in 1844, to Catharine Boyer, by whom he bad 
three ohildren Emma, Elizabeth A. ami Henry; his wife died in 1849. In 1850, he 
was married again to Josephine Huntzsinger, of Pennsylvania ; they have had eleven chil- 
dren; deceased Margaret Josiah, Eliza, Christiana, Walter, living — Jeremiah, Han- 
nah, G and Sarah J. II" has been no office-seeker, but has beeo 
, with schools Mr Single; settled on his pi m in 1861, and has been 
here ever since W hen he was married the first time, hi - n debt, and had nn 

viAMIN SINGLE! farmer; P. 0. Manito ; was born in 1832, in Schuyl 
kill ( '<■ . Penn., on a farm, and remained there until 1863 in farming and 

handling timbers, when, in 1863, he came to Illinois, settled and engaged in working 
rmers bj the day, |1 to $2, cutting hedge; in 1869, he began farming on the 
m farm of forty acres ; he has improved this little farm, and made it one very 
desirable. He was married, in June, I860, to S. Zimmerman ; thej wer I with 

tive children 1 >.i\ I B . 1! i . Annie. Jacob and Lindy; he hi- been 

no othe, seeker, but has held offi< f I Mr Siogl \ and wile belong to the 



MANITO TOWNSHIP. 835 

Egypt Church, Lutheran, and have heen members ever since the organisation of the 
same. 

J. N. SHANHOLTZER, miller, Manito; was born in Hampshire Co., Va., in 
1841, ami remained there, (arming for his father, until 18 years old, when he moved to 
Licking Co., Ohio, and commenced farming; here he remained five years, when he went 
West, and finally settled in Tazewell Co., 111.; he farmed for two years, afterward engaging 
in milling, at Dillon, 111., for four years ; he then moved his machinery to Manito, III . 
in 1870, and has been here ever since. This is the first and only mill in the township. 
Mr. Shanholtzej manages his own business, and is doing splendid work for the public; 
he is an active worker in the temperance movement ; has held office of Trustee of 
Manito. He owns a beautiful lot and house, in addition to his mill. In 18(58, he was 
married to Marinda Rector, of Dillon, Tazewell Co., 111.; she died April 2l>, 1ST.'!. By 
her he had two children, Minnie Belle (deceased), and Miranda E. He was married, 
Jan. 23, 1879, to Mrs. S. C. Rector (Dean). She had one child — Nellie Rector. 

HENRY A. SWEET, retired farmer ; P. 0. Manito; was born July 12, 1818, 
on a farm near Mendon, Wprcester Co., Mass.; when about a year old, he went with his 
parents to Connecticut, and lived in that Stale until 21 ; when old enough, he bc<_ r an 
clerking in a dry-goods store for Joseph W. Turpin, at Warehouse Point, Conn., after 
which he went to New York, and worked at carpentering for three years. In 1842, 
he came to Ohio, and engaged in wagon-making and merchandising until 184!.). In 
1852, he sold out and came to Green Valley, Ill.,aud farmed until 1860, then engaging 
in grain business in Pekin, 111., for two years; he then moved back to his farm in 
Tazewell Co., and stayed there until the spring of 1867, when he came to Manito, and 
engaged in grain and lumber for one year. In 1868, he went into mercantile business, 
and was burned out; was also express agent for three years. In 1870, he moved again 
to his farm in Tazewell Co., and remained until 1875, when he returned to Manito, and 
became station agent for one year. In 1-876, he entirely lost his eyesight, which has 
but slightly returned. Was married, in 1840, to Mary Weber, of Massachusetts, and 
has eight children — Henry, Mary, George W., Annette, Rowena, Fannie, Cirrie, Eva. 
aud Leroy. He has held office in Ohio ; was Town Clerk and Trustee three 3 
in Tazewell Co., 111.; was Supervisor, Assessor, Collector, Commissioner of Highways, 
Poormaster and Justice of the Peace fourteen years. In 1864, he took the census of 
Tazewell Co.; was President of the Board of Trustees of Manito one year; he taught 
school eleven months ; he has 90 acres, well improved, also a house and four lots in 
Manito. 

F. SCHOENEMAN, saddler and harness-maker, Manito ; was born in Germany in 
1833; he remained there, engaged in harness-making, until 24, when he came to Peoria, 
111., and engaged in business until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. A, 2d Artillery, for 
three year.-, returning in 1864 to Peoria, and remaining a short time, and then moved 
to New Orleans, where he was in the harness business for a year and a half, lie was 
married, while there, to Rosena Ruth, of New Orleans; in the latter part of 1865, they 
moved to Peoria, and shortly afterward to Manito, where he engaged in the harness 
business, which he still continues. He owns 160 acres in Arkansas, three houses and 
lots in Manito, and the property in which he carries on his business, all of which 
they have earned by their own labor and management, lie has held the offi 
Town Trustee for two terms ; has been no office-seeker ; has given strict attention t> 
business by doing his own work, thus acquiring the confidene f the people. 

FREDERICK SCHNELLE, fanner; IV O. Manito; was l„,rn in L836 in I 
many; when 15 years old. he came with his parents to New York, ami worked with 
them on a farm; in 1854, he moved to Havana, 111., and worked at farming for 11 II 
Marbold, in Menard Co, afterward working lor Prcd Looks in M 130D Co., and n xt tor 
John and James Wilson, of Tazewell Co. In I860, he began working on hi- present 
farm of 240 acres, attained entirely by his own labor and management; he has made 
good improvements. Was married, in I860, to Elizabeth Bahrens, of Germany, and 
by Iter he had nine children — George, Ilenr i red. Katie. Willie and Catherine 

ased Mr. Sohnelle makes a specialty of threshing wheat. He is Collector, and 

LL 



836 BIOGRAPHICAL SKEP 

has beld the offioe three yean; he has been School Director twelve years, and Oommis- 
Biont r three years. 

JOHN THOMAS, farmer; P. Pored City; was bora Sept 19, 1815, in New 
fork iced there until bis parents moved to Trumbnll Co., Ohio, settling "ii a 

farm, where he remained some ten yeara farming, on bia grandfather's farm ; hia father 
« 1 i - -- 1 when be iraa \ ■ ■ r v yoong; in 1832, Mr. Thomas moved t" Western Ohio and 
tied in Sen oa Co., remaining there, farming, with hi- ancle: 6rom Ohio be moved to 
Monro Co Mo ind engaged in farming for bimseli on Borne land which he had 
bought. In L836, be was married to Elizabeth Painter, of Mo.; by her he bad four 
children — Eliaa Iv. Perry W., Samuel II.. John W . . Dec. 25, 1856, some time after 
the death of bia wife, he waa married to Parthena 1' Cogdale, of Ulinois, by her he 
bad three children — WHliam, Edgar, Charles; his second wife died Aug. 7. 1 - 
April 1"). 1-77. be waa married to Miss Sutton. Mr. Thomas settled in M 

■ii what is now the Caldwell farm; in April, 1877, he bought the 

■it farm of twenty-one acres, and owns in all 1 10 acres; he has held the • ♦ 
School Trustee and Director; he has been a member of the M. Iv Church thirty-four 
hia wife ia also a member of same church. 

K. A WIUTKI'oKh. farmer; P.O. Manito; was born in 1842, in Medina Co., 
Ohio, mi a farm, ami remained there until he waa 1 1 years "1.1. at which time he came, 
with his parents, to Illinois, and settled in Mason Co. on a farm which liis father 
bought . he remained there with hia father until he began working in a machine shop 
at Wads worth, Medina Co.., Ohio, and remained there engaged for three yean He mar- 
tied Julia Blanchard, of Gifford, Ohio, whose parents were from Connecticut; in 1871, 
they settled "ii the present farm of 160 acres, half of which they inherited, and half 
they have obtained by their own management ; with the improvements tiny have made 
thin farm i line appearance. They have one child -Flutie. 

DR. J S WALKER', physician and surgeon, Manito; was bora on a farm in 
Shelly Co., Ind., Feb. 16, 1842, and remained there until I; hi- father was 

a farmer ; in L845 the family moved by team, ss was customary in those days, t.> 
M - n Co., I 1. and settled mi a farm wliieh tiny bought j here he attended school 
during the winter until L862, when he enlisted in Co. K. 85th 1 V. I . and remained 
in the service nearly two years ; he was promoted to Sergeant and afterward Ord 
On hi- return from the war, he read medicine with Dr J. P. Atkinson, of Lexington, M 
for tv. he at once began attending the St. Louis Pope's Medical College, 

which he continued f"r two years, during whioh he graduated, and. returning hem. . 
began practicing medicine at Forest City; this he continued for five years; he then 
cam ■ t" Manito, III., where he now practices quite extensively, and with good sue- 
in die winter of 1^7 S he met with quite a misfortune, having his offioe, in 

connection with his dru burned, not even saving a 1 k from the fire; he 

I quite a cold in hi.- efforts to save his dwelling, which has almost eon- 
lined him . be anticipates going South to improve hi- health ; the people of this i 
munity will very much regret the loss of Dr. Walker; they will remember him .>- 

of the influential men of their community, and. as a physician, -killful and attentive 

in hi- treatment in Burgery, which has been i - 1 part id" his I 

ice; he has held the offices of School Treasurer and Trustee lie was married, 
in l>7". to 8. A Bradley, of Chicago; they had two children ■Alberto and ESug< 
who di.d Sept 20, 1878. 



ALLEN'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN B ABBOTT, grain-dealer, farmer and stock-raiser ; I' <> Natrona 
horn in M I 111. dune lit, L846. Hi- father. Henry Ahh .tt, and mother, Ann 

Iv ii Abbott, were l.orn in Lancashire, England, and emigrated to the United States 
a short time previous to the birth oi John B. The subject of this sketch, who was 

i to the ' if farming, for the last three yean has given much attention t i 



ALLEN'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. . 837 

the buying and shipping of grain, requiring the use of two grain elevators in Natrona. 
He married a daughter of Richard Ainsworth, of Mason City, III.. Oct. 14, 1869; she 
was born in Lynchburg Township, in this county, July 8, L849; they have four chil- 
dren, viz., Richard Henry, born July 17, 1 870 ; Albert Edward, March 30, 1872; [ra, 
April 28, 1874. and Alice Myrtle. Dec. 11,1878. Mr. Abbott is Treasurer of the 
school fund in this township, and owns 480 aires hmd in this and Mason City Townships. 

SAMUEL BIGGS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.San Jose; was born in'Cler- 
mont Co., Ohio, June 13, 1834; in the fall of 185G, moved to Delavan, Tazewell Co., 
111. ; he worked at farming by tlie month; went to Tike's Peak in 1859; there li>' made 
no money. July 7, 1860, he married Elizabeth Brown ; she was born in England Oct, 
1,1838, and came to the United States with her parents, an infant ; they have had 
four children, viz., Oliver S., born May 6, 1861 ■ Matilda A., March li. 1864 . A 
E., Dec. 3, 186b', and Jcnnetta, Jan. 1-1, 1873; she died Aug. 20 following. Mr. 
Biggs enlisted in Co. II. under Capt. William M. Duffy; assigned to 108th I. V. I 
Aug. 12, 1862; engaged in the various battles and marches up to March 29, 1863, 
when he was discharged on account of disability (he had the measles . he held the post 
of Orderly Sergeant from the organization of the company; he arrived home in April ; 
engaged again working for wages and renting land; when he returned from Dike's Deak, 
had spent his last dollar; to-day he owns a fine home and farm of ■'!."><» acres, free and 
clear from debt ; after his return from the army, he was not able to do any manual labor 
for a year. 

JOB BRATT, farmer; D. O. San Jose : was born in Staffordshire, England, April 
22, 1822; came, with his father, to New York May 23, 1834, and to Vigo Co., End., 
iu June following; there his father bought a farm of eighty acres, and they followed 
tanning; January, 1853, he went to Christian Co., 111.; the November following, to 
Mason Co. ; bought land and settled. Married, Sept. 14, 1852, Sarah Wilkinson ; she 
was burn in Sangamon Co.. 111., Jan. 1, 1830; her father, Gary Wilkinson, was born in 
Scott Co., Ky., and married Nancy Moon : she also was born and raised in Sc tl Co. ■ 
he died March 17, 1834, and she Oct. 19, 1875; they are buried in Sangamon Co.,- 111. 
George Bratt, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Staffordshire June 1 2 
1781, and married Esther Bratt in 1825 : she was born in London, July 25, 1771) ; on 
account of unsettled business, she did not join her family until 1839 ; she died May !». 
1841, he June 7. L861. Mr. and Mrs. J. Bratt have had nine children, viz.. Ella GL 
born Aug. 12, 1854; George 11., April 13, 1856 (died June 1. 1S72, by a stroke of 
lightning, which killed him aiul his horse, also the horse under his brother. Jonah W . 
who escaped comparatively uninjured), Mary II., born Aug. 21, 1857 ; Jonah \\\. July 
16, 1859; Esther M.. May 29, L861 ; Josiah C, Oct. 1!'. L864 ; Reuben W.. March 
25, 1866; Clarence, Nov. 12. 1869, and Sophia C Sept. 28, 1872; she died Feb. 24, 
1873. They own I in acres and very line house, where they n side, in Allen's Grove 
Township, also 232 acres in Nebraska : in politics, is a Republican. 

EDWARD P. CRISPELL, M. D . physician, San Jose; was born in Ulster Co . 
\. V.. Jan. 23, 1823 : he moved to Orange Co., V V.. in 1840 ; at an early age, he 
engaged in teaching district schools, and reading medicine; in 1857, hecommei o I prac- 
ticing medicine thereabouts; in 1858, moved to Sangamon Co., 111. Altogether, he 
taught school ten terms. lb' attended medical lectures, and graduated in the Eel 
Medical College, of Cincinnati, and received hia diploma in February. 1865. He mar- 
ried Miss Mary E. ('rati Nov. 2. 1>1>; she was born in Sullivan (\<., N. Y., dune 20, 
1826. Since he graduated his practice has been mainly in Mason Co. ; up to 1871. in 
Manito; then, on account of ill health, traveled nearly two years farther North; did a 
city practice about a year in D kin. III. ; came to S in dose, where he now resides, in 
1874; they have had Beven children, viz., one infant unnamed; Charles Iv. born July 
25, 1851; Mary K. July 20, 1853; Martha !•].. March 23, I B57 ; Lillie, May 31, 
1861, died Aug. L3, 1862 ; Ulysses Grant, born July 20, 1863, and Wilbur P.. June 

30, 1867. Dr. dispell belongs to the Order of A.. F. \ A. M. ; an active advocate of 

and worker in the cause of temperance ; a Republican, and member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 



838 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

JONATHAN CORY farm t ind stock-raiser ; P 0. San Jose; iru born in 
8om N. J., June 1 J. 1815 . bis schooling he got in the district school before 

be was It. ;ii the age of 20, he commenced reading law with Cornelius Boic I 
celebrated lawyer in Plainfield, Imt finished with L C. Grover Esq., who is now 
Mutual Lit'<- Insurance Company, of Newark, N. -I. tie commenced 
practice in 1836, in Plainfield, and wai 3tal I slature in 1846. In 

1848, be moved to Newark, and w I Judge of the County Court in 1862; held 

the office tin In L 841, he aided in organising, ami was one of the charter 

members of Lodge, No. 1L I 0. ( ' F ; be was also a charter member of Jefferson 
Encampment, and has held all the ordinate and subordinate offices in the subor- 
dinate and State offices in the Order in New Jersey; moved to Delavan, l 
well, Co., III., in February, 1856; in 1857, moved to Allen's Grove Township, in 
M ison Co., where be now resides, and is a charter member of L I No. 380, and of 
VaUej Encampment, No. 120; in San Jose, of I. 0. 0. P.; but be gives his atten- 
tion mainly to farming. He has never discontinued the practice of the profession he 
was wedded to in his early manhood. He married Bliss Mary Titus Dec 24, Ifc 
she was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Oct 9, 1813. Since be came to Mason Co., he 
has taken no active part in politics, but has been Supervisor, also Justioe of th P 
he is probably the only man living in the county whose father was actively engaged in 
the Revolutionary war. and hi.rn in the I'. S. of America; his father, John Cory, was 
In. rn in Be i V J., March 6, 1763, and lived with his uncle, William Wines, 
wli.i leral under Gen. <i orge Washington during the whole Revolutionary 

Btruggle . he also v. .man. and lived within two miles of the evi r memorable 

\'a.li\ Forge, on Suokasunny Plains in N Mr. and Mrs. Cory have f'"iir 

children, vis., Elisabeth, born Feb. 1. 1838; Marietta, Feb. B, L840; Phebe Ann, 
_'."). 1841, and Jane, Jan. 20, 1843. All are married and haw families, ami live 
in Mason Co. He owns a good home and fine farm of 21U acres in Allen's Grove 
Township, in Sec. 1 . 

WILLIAM M. DUFFY, farmer and stock -rais r; P SanJose; was born in 
Galway, Ireland, Jan. 30, 1- 30, 1849, landed in N went to Rail- 

's .).. where he worked at the barn as-making business. In March, 1853, be 
went to Madison, End. ; in the fall, to Terre Haute, and, the - 1855, to Dela- 

van, Tazewell ('..., III. He married Marietta C. Con Jan. 30, 1857; Bhe was bora in 

1840, and came to Delavan with her parents in February, !- 
they have had nine children, viz., George, born Feb. 26, I860; Mary A., April lt'>. 
L862; William 8., U 28 1864 . Harry C, March 12, 1866; Blisha II. March 21, 
died Feb. 21, 1870; Freddie, bora July B, 1871 ; Grade G., Sept 15, 1873; 
K , Jan. 28, 1876, and Jenni . Oct 27, 1877. From Aug l to 14, 1862, he 
enlisted a full company (Co. II . which was mustered into I08tfa Regiment Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, ii>r three years; they elected him Captain of the company; be 
held the position until their discharge ; tbej participated in m ments, in the 

13th and I6tfa Army Corps, at Chickasaw Milliken's Rend, 

iolia Hills, Grand Gulf and others, tl \ irg, Mobile, etc.; ■ 

mustered out at Vicksburg, discharged and paid in Chicago Aug 12, 1865 He 
bought bis tiirm 16 where he now resides in Allen's Grove Township, in I 

and moved on to it in the spring of 1868; Oct. 18, 1-71 their hi 
by fire; the clothing they bad on was all thej saved out of it. 

JACKSOM HOI CHIN, farmer, stock-breeder and stock-raiser; P M 

bora in Bdmonston Co., K\. \ \ 12, 1819; went to Piko Co., End., with 
his parents in October, 1836; cune to Mason <'".. April 17. 1849 
of land in Salt Creek Township, where he stayed about a year; cam to Allen's Grove 
in March, 1850, where hi now bl at thai time 640 . to 

considerable extent i ng fine Durham cattle. He married Nancy Ann 

25, 1840, in '•'. I.; Bhe died Oct. 15, 1841 He then mar- 

ried her sister, Susanna Greenwaj i 1842; shi was born in Warrick Co., Ind., 

June 3, 1826; her father, John Greenway, was born in North Carolina, ami died in 



AXLEN'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 839 

August, 1850 ; her mother, Sarah i May . was born in Georgia, died in October, 1846; 
they are buried in Warrick Co., Ind., where they resided. Mr. and Mrs Houchin have 
had eleven children, viz., Lucy J., born Oct. .'-!. 1844 ; Benjamin Ira. born Jan. 1,1847; 
they died of smallpox in February, 1848, and were buried in one coffin ; William 
Isaiah, born Oct. 7. 1852, died in August, 1853; Edna died in early infancy. The 
living are John A., born Feb. 22, 1848 ; Andrew J. Kelt. 25, 1850 ; George W., July 
28, 1854; Alonzo, Dec. 15, 1856; James, Aug. 28, 1 -.V Malinda, Dec. 15. 1863, 
and Laura B., Dec. 7, 1867. Mr. and Mrs, Houchin have been members of the M. E. 
Church over thirty years. In politics, is a Republican, lie owns a fine home and 7<iil 
acres of tine land. 

ANDREW JACOBS, carriage and wagon maker, under the firm name of A 
-Jacobs & Co., San Jose ; was horn in Belsdorf, Kreis. New 1 taldensleben. 11. B. Mag- 
deburg, Prussia, Germany, Sept. 17, 1830; he learned the trade and worked at the wagon- 
making business there from 1850 to 1855; he was a soldier in the Prussian army, and 
worked a year during his service in the King's shops ; a year at his trade for the King. 
In 1855, he got a pass to Bremen for a year, hut left for the United States and arrived 
at New York City Aug. 20. 1856 , he came on West to lVkin. 111., and worked eight 
years there for one firm ; he then began on his own account, but sold out in the spring 
of 1807 ; that fall, he moved to San Jose, and built himself a manufactory. He mar- 
ried Catharine Fry Nov. 22, 1858 ; she was born in Reilingen Baden Germany, July 
28, 1839, and came to the U. S. with her parents in 1851 ; they have had nine children, 
viz., Eudolph, born Sept. 30, 1850; Robert C. Sept. 25, 1861 ; Oscar O., Nov. 2 1. 
1863: Catharine, Feb. 15, 1866, died April 2. 1866; Sophia A., horn March 9, 18 
Maria A., Dec. 12, 1800, died March 11. 1870 ; Emma H., horn July 7. 1872; Fred- 
rick W., Feb. 15, 1875; Minnie M.. Oct. 22. 1S77. He owns a farm of 205 acres in 
Logan Co., and twenty building lots in San dose, fine house and workshops; he belongs 
to the I. O. O. F., in San Jose. 

THOMAS S. KNAPP. merchant, under the firm name of Newman & Knapp, 
San Jose; was born in Andover, Henry Co., 111.. Jan. 24, 1843; at the age of 20, he 
commenced teaching district schoi 1. taught two winters : his principal business was 
(arming. Served three years as Constable in his native town. In April, 1870, he 
moved to San Jose, and engaged clerking for his brother, Dr. C. D. Knapp, in his drug 
store about a year and a half; he then went into partnership with his brother and Julius 
Newman, under the name of Newman A' Knapp, in general merchandising, the same he 
is now engaged in, though, in January, 1874, Jacob Newman purchased the interest of 
his brother Julius, and succeeded him in the business. Mr. Knapp has held the ofijee 
of Village Clerk four years, Justice of the Peace the Bame time, President of the 
Board of Trusties. School Director, Assistant Postmaster about four years, and was 
elected Town-hip Collector last April. His father. Salmon W. Knapp. and mother, 
Anna (Piatt) Knapp. were horn near Danbury, Conn., in 1810. one in August, the 
other in September, and were married in 1832, and moved to Henry Co. ic 184 I] his 
mother died June 0, lSii'J: bis father resides in Henry I !o. now. Thomas S. Knapp, 
the subject of this sketch, married Sadie L. Worthington dune 21, 1874; she was 
born in Columhus, Ohio, Pec. 7. 1843, and. with her parents, went to Henry ('".. 111., 
in March. 1865, where they now reside. Thomas J. Worthington. the father of Mrs. 
•Knapp, was horn in Bucks Co., l'din.. Nov. 29, 1810, and married Eliza A. Freeman, 
the mother of Mrs. Knapp. at Columhus. Ohio, in February, 184:!; this was Mr. 
Worthing! on 's third marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have baried their only two chil- 
dren, viz., Dennie W., horn April 29, 1875, died Dec. 22. 1S7S ; Katie L., born Jan. 
17, 1878, died Dec. 27. the same year: both of diphtheritic or membranous croup. 
Mr. Knapp belongs to Lodge, No. 380, of 1. 0. 0. P., and is Representative to the 
Grand Lodge. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is Clerk 
of the same. 

JOSKPII B. KKIIL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. (). Mason City; was horn in 
Cincinnati. Ohio. June 29, 1851 : his father, Jacob Kehl. was born in Germany 
May 20, 1830, and married Mary (bit/, in 1850; they came that year to the United 



840 IRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

in Cincinnati, where h>- engaged in the manufacture of boots and 
Connereville, I m 1 . where he died Deo. 18, 1874, and is 
buried tli resides in Connersville. Joseph B. Kehl married Hannah Alfa- 

rata Miller J Co., Ind., Deo. 5, 1853; her father 

and mother were born in Indiana. Mr. Kehl nuns a nice home and farm of 160 
in Allen's iwnship. 

GEORGE LEONI, farmer; P. San Jos . was born in Canton Tessin, Swit- 

- ! il . ;it tl 1 I. he entered the army instead of an 

older bn ther who was drafted from Switzerland, in the in Napoleon the First, 

who, at the battle of Waterloo, surrendered liis entire army to Wellington; li«' was 

made a pris mer "t war. and assigned '<> the prison of Perth, Scotland, where 1 

ad a half ; he then went to London, and learned to manufacture optical 
and mathematical instruments; afterward traveled, working at his trade and selling 
hi^ wares through all the principal cities of Europe; in 1830, he returned to bis 

home in Switzerland, but remained only six months; be returned to Liver] I and 

took to New Fork City, where he arrived in September, 1831; there he 

engaged in manufacturing optical and mathematical instruments, and fancy cabinet ware 

ne time on a verj large Bcale), on John Btreet, occupying three large four 
buildings; he remained in New Fork, experiencing tin- n<>t anoommon great 

md the : f enterprising and adventurous business men until September, 

1848, when he went to Chicago, wherohe remained about a year: he then quit that 
business altogether, and went to Tremont, Tazewell Co . III., where they kept asmallfancv 
goods store; early in 1851, they moved to the place where they now reside 
35 . in Allen - Groi I iwnship, then called Delavan's Grove, and built the tir.-t frame 
house in the grove, in Biaroh, 1851. Ee married Louisi Monti, in New York City, 
Sept. :». l-:;7; >le' was born in Switzerland Feb. 18, 1818, and came with her pa 
i.i New Fork, in February, 1831 ; they have had nine children — Josephine, hern Sept. 

7. 1838, died in January, 1- 19 ; G ge N., born dan. 25, 1840, died Julj B, 1875; 

na, born Oct 17. 1842, died at the age of 2 years; Louisa, born Sept 7. 1844, 
died at the age of 1 week; Leonena, born Feb. B, 1846; Louisa M . hum March 11, 
1848; Veronica E., born March 2, 1851 ; Josephine A ( born May 15, 1853, and I 
C, born Aug 26. 1856; Leonena married Win. Caldwell April 16, 1871; he died 
D 24, 1-71, Louisa M married A. 1! Chestnut dan. 27, 1-71. Josephin \ 
married John Crabb Nov. 25, 1874. Mr. Leoni owns a handsome home and 320 
of fine land; in religion be is Roman Catholic; in politics a Democrat. 

WILLIAM n. MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O.Natrona; was born in 

tte Co., Ind. dune hi, 1830; followed farming; came to Allen's Grove Township, 
where he now resides, in September, 1858, and has made most of his m y in raising 

for market ; for the last riz years, he has madi Jtj of breeding Poland- 

China swine; his lather, John Miller, was born in Ohio, A. D. 1800, and married Cyn- 
thia Manlove, in Fayette Co., Ind.; she was born Aug. 1". 1809, and died March 21, 
1 S5 l . ho resides on the old homestead, in Fayette Co., Ind., hale and vigorous. Wm 
M Miller married Nam pt. 5, 1852; she was born in Madison I 

Ind., duly :». 1833; they have five children— Hannah A., born Dec 5,1 I athia 

A., born Ma) 29, 1858; Buphemia May, born Maj 1. 1865; Vilura, born Sept. 29, 
1866, and Josephine l> . boru Aug. *J7. 1871. He owns a beautiful home and farm of 
315 acres; is a member of the Christian Church, of Allen I rnship; in poli- 

a I democrat. 

JOHN W. MORRISON I iler in hardware, stoves and tinware, agricultural im- 
shelf hardware, iron and wood pumps, meohania - ! was 

b 'in in Florid, Putnam < !o., Ill . April 7, L844, and got all his school education b (fore 
be was l> i. followed farming some, and learned the tinner's trade in Henry, 

Marshall Co. ; at th age of 20 oomm aan ; ia 1866, went 

in partnership with his old boss, Richard Dikes; in the fall of 1868, hi 
San Jose, and wenl into partnership with a Mr. Hull, tin- firm being Hull & Morri- 
son; hi 1870, he , and has so continued the business; he belongs to 



ALLEN'S GROVE TOWNSHIP. 841 

the Order of A., F. & A. M., also I. 0. 0. P., in San Jose. Feb. 23, 1875, he married 
Mary E. Booth ; she was born in Tazewell Co., 111., Dee. 23, 1855 ; they have one little 
daughter— Sarah F., born Dec. 17, L876; he owns two houses ami five building lots 
in San Jose. 

.JOHN II. MATHERS, farmer ; P.O.Mason City; was born April 2:;. 1-27, 
in Miami Co., Ohio; his opportunities for obtaining an education were lair; he has fol- 
lowed farming chiefly, though he learned the blacksmith's trade; he moved to .Mason 
Co. in March, 1853; he bought land in Pennsylvania Township in 1851, whither In- 
moved at that time. He married Elizabeth Oaven, in Miami Co.. Dec. 22, L852, where 
she was horn Jan. 18, 1826; they had seven children— Eugene, born Dec. 11. 1853 
Artensa, born Aug. 23, 1855 ; John C, bom May 31, L857 ; Lucy 8., born Oft. 10, 
1859; George B., born Oct. 26, 18(51; B. Franklin, born Jan. 28, 1864, died Sept. 
23. 18(i(i; James, horn June 23, 1865, died Sept. 16, 1865. He married, f r his 
ond wife, Martha J. Wilson, March 15, 1866, who was also born in Miami Co.. Ohio, 
July 31. 1835; by this marriage he has had two children — Effie A. horn Feh 
1867, ami Clarence, horn Dec. 24, 1868, died Jan. 26. 1869 ; he owns a fine home in 
Allen's Grove Township, and 1,260 acres in Mason County, besides 320 acres in 
Kansas. 

FREDERICK WILLIAM PAAS, harness-maker, and all kindBof horse-furnish- 
inggoods, San Jose; was born in Leichlingen, Kreis, Solingen, Reg. Dusseldorf, Rhenish 
Prussia, Sept. 15, 1831. In Prussia, he learned the weaver's trade; also the barber's 
trade. Came to the United States, landing in New York April 29, and in St. Louis 
May 8, 1856; there he learned to make horse collars. In November following, he went 
to Quincy, 111. ; there he learned harness-making: the next fall he went to Beard-town, 
III., and worked at whatever he could get to do. July 20, 1852, he married Catharine 
Strothmann ; she was born in Bperburgen, Osnebrucek, Prussia. April 10, 1837. and 
came to this country in the spring of 1852 ; Aug. 13, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A. 1 1 1th 
I. V. I., for three years; they were assigned to the 15th Army Corps, under Gen. 
Sherman ; was in the engagement with the rebels at Jackson, Miss., Biege of Vicks- 
burg, in the retaking of Jackson, then at the destruction of Brandon, Miss. ; at 
Memphis, in 1864, his brigade was transferred to the Kith Army. Corps, commanded by 
Gen. A. J. Smith; was in the defeat of Guntown, Miss.; for a long time skirmish- 
ing after the rebel Gen. Price's army; went to Nashville to assist Gen. Thomas in 
holding it against Hood's army ; was in the battle of Mobile,.and mustered out at 
Vicksburg, reached Springfield, 111., in July, and was discharged Aug. 16. 1865. 
During all his campaigning, In' was never in hospital. Returned to Btardstown, and 
remained until 1861) : he then moved to San Jose, where he now resides. They have 
had seven children— Henry W., born April 7. I860 (died Aug. 4. 1860); Elizabeth 
M., Sept. 10,1861; Albert T., March 10,1867 In- died at the age of 3 week- i ; 
Lydia C, April 29, 1870; Frederick W., Feb. 18, 1873; George E, July 6, 
1875, and Sophia A., Jan. 6. 1879. He owns a good house and store, and nine lots in 
San Jose. 

LEONARD REED, farmer; P.O.Natrona: was horn in Franklin Co., Penn., April 
28, IS 17 ; is the only son living of Isaac Reed, of Allen's Grove Township, and eame 
here with his parents in 1854 ; his father, Isaac Reet, was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
Nov. 15. 1826; was raised a fanner, hut learned the milling business, which he followed 
up to about 1868, in various places In 1854, he bought land in Allen's Grove Town 
-diip. and moved on to it in the spring of 1858, where he now resides and owns 620 

He married Catharine Hanegan, in October, 1846 ; she was born in Franklin 

Co., Ohio, 12. 1812; they ha 1 two .'hildren — Leonard (the subject of this Bketch and 
Jacob Andrew, horn June 28. 184!>. and died June 20, l v ">- I. • ard Reed married 
Henrietta McCollough Dec. 25, 1872; she was horn in Madison Co., Ohio. Nov. 8, 
1852 ; her father. John T. McCollough, was hom Oct. 2^. 1821, and married Margaret 
G. Mahatly Sept. 12, 1844; she was horn Jan. 26. 1824. Be died Oct. 24, 1862 ; 
she died Feb. 25, 1 -7'.». in Allen's Grove Township: thej are buried in Circleville, 
Tazewell Co., 111. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Reed have three children — John Isaac, born 



842 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHES: 

19, 1874; Frederick, Maj 14, 1876, and Charles B., bora Feb. 

ird Reed ia a member of Lodge, No. 645, of A . I-'. \ A M., at Sao Jose. 

CHRISTIAN F 3CHLINGER, merchant, drj notions, queens- 

untry produce bought and sold , San Jose; iras born in North Prussia 
June 23, 1832; until he was 18 yeai be remained borne with his parents, 

attending school and farm w<.rk. Be arrived at New Orleans in .lun.. 1850; from 
there he went np t 3l Louis: on account of the prevalence of cholera, tiny were 
quarantined five days, but reached St. Charles, Mo., bis place of destination, in July 
following; there he remained, engaged variously in mercantile business, until ! 
that year, he member of the German Southwestern Methodist Episcopal 

Conferee lained Deacon in 1 >'■>". ami an Elder in 1869; op to 1875, preached 

regularly ; then, on account "f* impaired health, be t"<>k a superannuated position, 
which he now holds. Be married Catharine A. Westenkuehler .July 18, 1855; ihe 
wsa bora in Germany in August, 1826; they have had five children — Paulin 
born .Jan. 1. 1859; Julia W.. April 17. 1861 died May 30, 1864 ; Sophia II II . 
April 12, 1863; Mi C. B., Maj -J. 1865, and Annie ft., Feb. IT. l-T" Be 
a farm of eighty acres in Tazewell Co., ami a store and three Iota in 8 J 

ISAAC F. STONE, farmer; I' <> Mason City: oi F the old settlers of Mason 

I bora in Chenango Co., N Y . where he lived until 1 J years of age, at which time 
be came t" Dlinoic with hi- pan uts, and located in Menard Co., ami engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits, until he attained hi.- majority. In 1852, he went by "X teams overland 
to California, crossing the Rocky Mountains at Smith Pass ; he followed mining in Califor- 
nia, until 1858. when be returned ami purchased BO acres upon Sec 32, Town 21, 
M on Co., tn which be has Binoe added until he now owns 635 

farm buildings, where be has resided for a period of twenty years. Be married Maria I*. 
Freeman in 1858; eight children were bora to them, of whom I. ttie M., John F. ami 
Walter now Burvive. 

WILLI \M STEFFAN, merchant tailor, : rn in Babenhaua n, 

II - Darmstadt, Germany, Sept. 6, 1834 ; he lear 1 and worked at the tailor trade 

in Germany. Be landed in New Fork City June 14, 1853; arrived at Chicago the 
next .■ ttled at his trade at Blue bland, Cook Co., 111.: cam- to San Jose, where 

be resides, in October, 1875 Be married Catharine Elisabeth Bam C wn Point, 
I ml.. Mareh 27, 1859 . she was bora in Newark, N. J., Nov. l'7. 1837 . ber father and 
mother were bora in Germany, and married in J v. N. .J. . her fathi i I 

r, died in Sandwich, III., Nov. t'». 1^7."»; her mother, Catharine E. Bauer, n 
in Blue Islaml. III. Mr. ami Mrs. Stefian have had four children — Catharine B., l">rn 
Ma.vh ::. I860, died -Jan 6, 1873; George W. t bora April 13, 18( rick 

i. Oct 31, 1876, and Samuel Christian. Dec. 16, 1878. Be owns a bouse and lot 
in 8 n J< 

BENJAMIN W. TAYLOR, Supervisor, fanner ami stock-raiser; P. 0. M 
city, wss born in Pike Co., End.. Oct 20, 1840; came to trove, with his 

par- ni> in April. 1 85 1 . Be has followed 1'irnin mainly, fine I 

and swine. In April. 1865, he went into the mercantile business in Mason City, but 

not finding it altogether to his liking, ami t tonfining for his health, he sold ont in the 

fall following ; be married Harriet E. Bill Sept 13, 1865; she was born in S 
111.. Au_'. 6, 1 --"in md came to Mason Co., with her parent- | who now reside in M 
City in 1860. They have five ohildren — Harry W., bora Sept. 18, 1866 ; R a i 
18, 1869; Charles I, . .July 11. 1871 . Benjamin W . .Jan. 25, 1873, and B 
'.">. 1876 Mr. Taylor d Supervisor in April, 1879; has filled the office 

: c"'l Director for si Ulerk of the 15 ard three ( er of 

Highways and Clerk of that Board, also Treasurer. As a gentleman he com 

in ml- the respect and confidence of all who know him. Be owns 160 acres of land, 
and a fine home in Allen- Gi I mship, where he 



SALT ('KEEK TOWNSHIP. 8 18 



SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM F. AUXIER, fanner and stock-raiser; P. O. Mason City ; was born 
in Floyd Co., Ky., Jan. 26, 1834 ; from the age of 14 to 18 years, he followed boating 
on the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers ; all the schooling he received, he u<'t in ab ml tl 
months, under immeasurable difficulties, though he is now a well-informed, Belf-edu- 
cated man, having an excellent faculty of expressing and elucidating any Bubject, on 
any and all occasions ; in business, he has always been successful ; in 1852, he came to 
Mason Co., and worked here and there fanning and herding cattle for wages, until 
1855 ; he then commenced on his own account, and in 185f>. he took his fire! lot of fat 
cattle to New York City, being the first ever shipped by cars ('nan Salt Creek Town- 
ship. Oct. 25, 1850, he married Mary A. Denham ; she was born in Hamilton Co 
Ohio, in 1839 ; they have three children — Emma, born March 20, 1861 ; Clark, Dec. 
27, 1863; Cora, Dec. 15, 1865. He owns 400 acres of good land in Salt Creek Town- 
ship. 

ISAAC BELLAS, farmer; P. 0. Mason City; was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., 
March 2, 1820; his advantages fir a common-school education were fair for those 
days; several winters he engaged in teaching district schools, and in the summer worked 
at farming. Before he moved West, Nov. 21, 1846, ha married Miss Dorcas Ben-- 
coter ; she was born in the same county March IT, 1827; they moved to Mason < 
111., in April. 1854: he worked by the day, farming, until fall, when he pu) in a crop 
of wheat for himself; the next spring, he bought the place where he now resides, in 
Salt Creek Township ; he has never taken any active parr, politically, but has held some 
township offices — twice Assessor, Collector six years, and School Director ten years . 
was elected Justice of the Peace once, but declined the office : they have had eight 
children — James, born Oct. 4, 1847. died Sept. 15. 1849; Monemia C, born Sept. li, 
1849, died Oct, 8, 1852; Dyson B., born dan. 17. 1853, died April 1. L862 ; Susanna 
E., born May 5. 1S57; Sarah A., Dec. 28, 1860, died April 8, 1869; .Mary J., born 
Aug. 7, 1863; Ross, Feb. 25, 1866; Rosa A., Nov. 1!). 1868. He owns a nice farm 
of 120 acres; is a Republican, and belongs to the Order of Red Men, in Mason City. 

AARON A. BLUNT, President of the First National Bank of Mason City, farmer 
aud stock-raiser; P. O. Mason City; was born in Hart Co., Ky., Feb. 21, 1831, ami 
moved to Field's Prairie, in what is now Bath Township, Mason Co.. with his parents, 
Dec. 6, 1833; since his early youth, he has given his attention mainly to farming and 
stock-raising; has been a Director in the First National Bank of Mason City since its 
organization, and was elected its President in February. 1879. lie married Martha 
Ann Trail, r Feb. 26,1852; she was born in Springfield. 111., June 23, L831; they 
have had nine children — Laura, born Dec. 12, 1852, died Sept. 18, 1853; Hiram M , 
born March 2, 1854, died June 20, L855; Stephen L., born Sept. 25, 1856; Sinai B., 
Jan. 3, 1859; Franklin D., Feb 23, 1861, died Sept. 30, 1863; Lydia A., bom May 
9,1863; Mary I.. Nov. 6, 1865; Juliette A.. Sept. 21. 1868, died Aug. 10, 1870; 
Alonzo A., born March -'.). 1872. Mr. Blunt united with the Baptist Church Dec 
fB, 184!); was ordained to the ministry, and has held the pastorate of several churches. 
His father, Thomas F. Blunt, was born in Kent Co., Md., July 24, 1800, and moved 

to Kentucky in bis boyfa 1 Feb. 26, 1822, be married Sinai F. Alderson, of Hart 

Co., Ky.; they bad eight children, four of whom are living — Aaron A., the Bubji 
this sketch, Lydia P., Hiram and Thomas 11. In the fall of 1831, he moved to Cal- 
away Co., Mo., and in 1832, to what is now Mason Co.; Dec. 6, 1833, he W8S an 
organic or charter member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and is the only male char- 
ter member now living in the county; in 1849, unaided and alone, he built a hous 
school and church purposes, and at his own expense provided a teacher for the ensuing 
winter; he bought and used the first power threshing machine, also the first reaper 
used in Masou Co.; the 17th of August, 1872, had an attack of palsy of his right 



84 I BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHBS 

ride, from which he has n wet recovered. Though infirm and aged, he La living happy 
with his j in, Thomas EL, at Fie 1- Prairie, in Bath Township, 

1 
HENRI C BURNHAM, fanner; P. O. Mason City ; «ras bora in Hampton, 
Conn., Jan. 30, 1826. II home, and also furnished the advantag 

high idemies abroad At the age of 19, he moved to Champaign 

Ohio, and engaged in teaching school for awhile, and finally entered the mercantile bus- 

which being too confining, he sold out and returned U> Connecticut 1I< 
married Miss Angeline Currier Dec 16, 1847. Sin- was born in G d - Co., \ Y 
l» 16, L825 Her father, Elishs Currier, married Man Blaisdel] Oot 9, 1-17. in 
Hampshire, and, in 1823, they moved '" Naples S ? Her mother died in 
k.olii... Mi\ I."), ]- ; her father still resides in Woodstock, 

in th 37th year of his age. .Mr. Buraham run.- h Dlinois in the fall "I' 1852, and 
I m Salt Creek Township; he i- a member of ami Master of Mason City Lodge, 
1 -. he ha- been Associate Justice of the County ('mm . 
boo! fund many years . is Supen isor ; though in no Bense has he i v. i- 
in office-seeker. They h children -Lora M., born Oct. 16, 1848 ; Alonso 

P., June 29, 1853 I: - \ Oct. - 1855; James E., January 9, 1857; G 

I860; lliii;. P.,Dec 7, 1862, and Caroline A., July 4, 1866. He owns a fine 
farm of 320 acres, and a good substantial home with modern improvements and com- 

V.BRAM CEASE farmer and Btock-raiser ; P. O. Mason City ; was born in Luzerne 
Penn., June 6, 1824; he followed farming and lumbering. Married Ellen Wandel 
13, 1-17; Bhs was hum in the same county Dec 28, 1826. 1 1 <r father, James 
Wandel, was also born in that county Maj '■'>. L 7 90, and married Lucy Tilbury, who 
died May 11. 1854, aged 61 years 1" months and i'»i days. She was buried in Penn- 
Ni a Township. James Wandel died in Luserae Co. while on a visit to bis old home, 
Feb. 18, 1874. During his lifetime in the Eastern wilcU, and on the Western prairies, 
b a great hunter; many a noble buck, bear, wolf, catamount and fox, and smaller game 
have succumbed to his unerring aim. Mr. and Mrs. Ceas moved to Mason Co. in May, 
1849 hei parents came a year later), and entered land in what is now Pennsylvania 
Township. In the Bpring of 1851, they moved a granary building thirteen miles . 
whioh was 10x12 feet, on to their farm on Pennsylvania Lane, in which they I family of five 
ms lived while the) erected a house, which was the first built on Pennsylvania 
Lain-. They moved into it Sept 15 following. That season they raised asm; in the 
fall sowed wheat ; bo thej were comfortably fixed in their pioneer home. In 1867, sold 
their farm and moved to Mason City, ami. in 1878, moved t" their farm where they 
now reside, in Salt Creek Township They have had ten children — Elvira, born March 
i- she married Schuyler J. Ross; Eliva, Aug. 28, 1849, Bhe married William 
Stickler; Emma J., Nov. 16, 1850, she married Simon Stickler; Henry B., born Sept. 
21, 1852, died M irj M.. bora April 8, 1864, died Noi 1 l. I - 

Charles W., born .hum 26, 1855; Fran - L L857, she married I- 1 • W 

Hendrj ; Geoi \ M irch 2, I860; Jam.- P., born Feb. 8, 1863, died Nov. 26, fol- 
lowing; and Oscar J., bora June 16, 1865. They own a fine farm of 240 acres, also 
two houses and lota in Mason City, In politics, he is a Democrat 

GEORGE W ELY, farmer; P. O. Mason City: «:i- l>mn in Batavia, Clermont 

Ohio, Feb. 11, 1820, where he followed market gardening. Be married Lydia C. 

Noble .July 27, 1846. She was bora in Bethel, the same county, Peb. 26, 1826 They 

moved to ( 111., in t In- Bpring of 1854, and t" Mason Co., where I rides, 

in the fall, "ii tc his own farm His father, G ras bora in New Jersey, and 

married Mary Maunt in N They moved to Clermont Co., Ohio, at an early 

he b »ught land, and laid out Bata\ is on his farm ; h<- k.j.t a hotel, and was Sherifl 

<>t rhe county a number oi years. Mr. <i W Ely commenced farming here under a 

clmiil of unfavorable cirenmstanoes, largely owing t<> the breaking-out of the rebellion, 

haviog to pay exorbitant interest 18 | in bringing only 8 

to In eents per bushel, but energj and nabled him to ami 



SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. B 15 

rise above all these troubles, and place him and Ins in comforl and independence. They 

have five children — Sarah J., bom July 6, 1846; Eugene B., Dec. 4, 1848; Q "ge 

('.. Nov. 8, 185j ; John II.. Sept. 9, 1861 ; Jam a X.. May 24, 1863. The first three 
were born in Newtown, Ohio, and the other two in Sail Ci'e.k Township. He owns a 
tine form of 304 acres, and a good home. In politics, is a Republican, 

WILLIAM P. FAULKNER, farmer and stock-raiser; 1*. < >. Mason City; was 
bom in Dearborn Co., Ind., Dec. 23, 1825; with bis parents, he went to Pulton Co., 
111., Nov. 30, 1838, and, in February, 1839, to Mason Co. In the" Bpring of 1851, he 
began tannine,' on his own account; not being worth a dollar, yet his credit enabled him 
to buy forty acres prairie land on time, and live in a shanty until they could do better. 
He married Melissa A. Virgin March 20, the same year; she was born in Ohio Dec. 4, 
1831. They had five children— Thomas J., born Dec. 27, 1852, and died Mai 
1853; Eliza J., born Feb. 25, 1854, died Aug. 3, 1873; Arabella E., born Feb. 28, 
1856, died April 15, 1857; Belle A., born Nov. 6, I860, died April 28, 1865, and 
Francis 11., born Dec. 16, 1863. Mrs. Faulkner died March 22, 1877. His second 
marriage was celebrated Sept. 5, 1877, with Mrs. Mahulda Phillip-, of Mason Co. ; she 
was born May 24, 1855. She lias, in her union with John M. Phillips, deceased, two 
children— Walter R., born Sept. 4, 1873, and William K., born Jan. 13, 1875. By 
this second marriage, they have one child — Ora May, born Feb. 19, 1879. Mr. Faulkner 
now owns lii)4 acres of as good land as there is in Mason Co. 

DAVID W. HILYARD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O.Teheran; was born in 
Cumberland Co., N. J., April 1, 1827. Married Catharine F. Tomlinson, of the sane' 
county, Sept. 4, 1851; her birthday occurred March 9, L833 ; they moved to Mason 
Co., 111., in March, 1855, and opened a general country store in Salt Creek Township, 
but sold it out in the fall of 1856 ; in the spring of 1857, moved to the farm where 
they now reside ; Feb. 17, 1867, their house was entirely destroyed by tire, and bo sud- 
denly, though at midday, they found it impossible to save anything except a very little 
bedding and personal clothing. They have had twelve children, viz.. Mary K., born 
Oct. 15, 1852 (she married Lorenzo F. Chester, and resides in Cass Co., Iowa); Han- 
nah H., born Sept, 11. 1854 ; Preston J. P., June 4, 1856 (lives in Cass Co., Io? 
Emer E., Aug. 26, 1858, died Sept. 23, 1859; Lincoln Hamlin, born Aug. 26. I860 . 
Edmond F., Aug. 15, 1862; Robert F., March 2, 1865; Emer E., Dee. in. 1867; 
Charles B., Sept. 9, 1869; George H., Nov. 2, 1871, died Aug. 1 I, 1872 ; Walter R., 
burn Feb. 16, 1874, died July 31, 1874, and Joseph L., born Sept. 3d. 1876, died 
Oct. 27, 1876. In New Jersey, Mr. Hilyard was a member of the I. 0. <). F., and 
in politics is a Republican ; he owns a good farm of 160 acres, and a nice home. 

MICHAEL MALONEY, former and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Mason City; was born 
in Westmade Co., Ireland; in the fall of 1854, he landed in New York City; there he 
worked at his trade — stone-cutting — until the next summer ; he then went to Mason 
Co., 111., where fie worked at farming about a year and a half for wages, then he rented 
farm land; in 1867, he made a small land purchase where he now resides, in Salt Creek 
Township. He married Sarah E. Hadlock, of Mason Co., in 1861 ; they had two 
children, viz., Mary A., bprn Aug. 1,1862, died March is. 1866; Edward F., born 
March 9, 1864, died Sept. 24, 1864; Mrs. Sarah E. Maloney died Aim. 19, I 
His second marriage was celebrated March 26, 1867, with Mrs. Sarah A. Auxhr; she 
was born near Swing's Grove, in Mason Co.. I>ee. 13, 1840; she hid four children by 
her marriage with Samuel W. Auxier, vii, <i< irge W., born July 1'.'. 1855, died Oct. 
22, 1864; Mary L, born April 3, ls57,died Sept.,10, 1853; John, born duly 8, I860, 
and Samuel L., born March 26, 1862, Mr and Mrs. Moloney have live children, viz., 
Anna Virgin, born Jan. 31. 1868; Elizabeth B., Nov. It;, 1870; Emma !».. March 31, 
1872; Thomas L., April 20, 1874, and Sarah May, June 8, 1876. Mr. Malony is 
serving bis second term as School Director, and second year a- Commissioner of High- 
ways; he belongs to the " Modoc Tribe of Red Men," No. 1 1 ; he owns a line, well- 
improved farm, containing 305 acres. 

GEORGE W. MOSL AN DER, farmer; P.O. Teheran; was born in Sangamon 
Co., 111., May 13, 1844; son of James and Elizabeth Moalander; th y move I to M 



BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHES 

Co. in 1845 He married Prance* B D nglas, of Pulton Co., 111. Nov. 11. L869 
wis born in Clark Co., 111., Feb. 12, 1848; they have had three ohildren, viz.. Law- 
rence, 1m.ii. July 29, 1-71. died -Inly 31, 1872; l<la May, born Od 12, 1-7::: I 
Jane 28, 1875 In August, 1862, Mr. Moslander enlisted in Co. C of the 85th I V. 
I., for tli I in the battles of Perryville, Ky.. Stone Rivtr, 

Chickamauga, L okout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, and at the siege of Atlanta. 
L864, was taken prisi oer ami taken to Anderson ville ; in three months, 
was i 1 to ill.- prist n in Milieu. Ga . kept about three months, then t.. Savanna. 

6a. about .-i.\ weeks; he woe then taken back to Anderson ville, where he was kept till 
Lpril 29, 1865; was then Bent to Jacksonville, Fla., anil exchanged; he v. 
transportation from tin re t.> Annapolis, Md.; thence '" St. Louis, Mo.; then 
Springfield, 111 . where be goi his discharge, in June. 1865. When he entered Ander- 
BonvilTe prison, he weighed 1 15 pounds; when he hit it. his weight was reduced to 65 
Comment is unnecessary In re. lie then returned to bis farm in Salt Creek 
Township, where he dow resides, ami owns a line borne ami (anil of 160 I 

WILLIAM Mel ARTY, farmer ami breeder of blooded Holstein and • ' 
cattle ami Yorkshire Bwine; I'. <> Mason City; was born in Menard Co., III.. Deo. 11, 
1845; is the eldest son of Thomas McCarty, of Mason City. He married Sarah .1. 
Ely, daughter ! W. Ely, ol Salt Creek Township, Dec, 16, 1866; they hav< 

four ohildren, viz.. William B., bom Sept 11. 1867; Qfeorge T.. March 11. If 
Malinda J., Sept. 25, 1873, and Fran Feb. 19, 1878. He is working on 

hi.- lather's farms iii Salt Creek Township, of 240 acres, .md has a plea-ant home. 

JOHN McCARTY, farmer ami Btook-raiser ; I' 0. Mason City; was born in 
Clark Co., Ohio, April 19, 1836; came bo Menard Co., III., with his parents in the fall 
of 1838; in 1839, moved i" Mason Co., where be now resides; has always followed 
farming ami raising Btock; his father ami mother moved from North Carolina t<> Ohio. 
Mr. McCarty married Anna Josephine Berk November 11. 1867; Bhe was born in 
Shelby Co., Ohio, March 9, 1847. Mr. McCarty began life with nothing and never 

had a cent given him ; he DOW owns a line home ami 1,066 aer. s of hind in Salt Creek 

Township and ten acres inside the corporation of Mason City, bi Director in thi 
First National Hank of Mason City; was Commissioner "I Highways nine years, but 
declined the honor in 1878. He l» !"ii_- to Modoc rribe of Red Men. No. 14, of 
Mas n City. They have two children — Onie Bell, born May 7. 1869, and Ida Dell. 
born -Ian. in, I - 

• I \< !OB F. MULFORD farmer; I'. ( ). Mason Citt . was born in Dearborn Co., 
Ind.. Aug. 12, 1838; came to Mason Co., 111. in Novemb r, 1-17. kug. 1. 1861, he 
enlisted in C \ 28th I V I . for three rvioe; previously, he enlisted ti>r 

the ninety .lay-' call, hut wa- not ordered out until after he re enlisted, a- above stated : 
In- received a bullet in his leg at the battle ol Shiloh that laid him up about two months . 
he w.i- in many other and some seriouc ments ; he re-enlisted Jan. 1. 1863, for 

another three during the war. and remained in the service almost a year alter 

the surrender of tin- last rebel; was discharged at Brownsville, Texas, April 14, IS 
what w.re le t ..(' th.-ir regiment dUbanded at Springfieldj 111 He married Miss 
Clarinda McCartj Ma) '_'7. I wat born in - k Township Marrfa 18, 

1-1- . they hav« had nine children— Thomas K, born April 28, I8l II' 

.".. 1 nan <> March 7. 1870 . Effi M Si pi 11.1-71. B 

:_' l -7 1. died Dec, 36, 1-77 ; John II.. born dune l i. l 
William L, Nov. L 1-77 and the baby, Mard. 12, 1879 - pi 12, L874, thej 
movi ind remained three years, ami then returned t.> the farm where they 

now reside in Salt ( In ek Township. 

ALLIUM S P ROLL, farmer ami stuck 1' » ». Teheran was I>ti< in 

17. 1830; moved t.> the place where he now resides in Salt 
Creek Township in 1851. Mis lath r. William Roll, was born in L- iC NT. J dune 
Iii. 1780, an. I Mary Eddy, of the -am • place; she was born Feb. 18, 17 

they in \ ,u Co., III., in 1830; he died Aug. 11, 1849, and she died Det 

l\. the subject of thi- -ketch, marri.d Mary L M islander April 6, 



SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. 847 

1850, at Bath, Mason Co., 111.; she was born in Cape May Co., X. J., Jan. 12, 1828; 
her lather, James Moslander, and her mother, Elizabeth, were burn in Cape May Co., 
X. J., he in 1795, she in 1806; they moved to Sangamon Co., 111. , in 1840, and to 
Mason Co. in 1845; he died in April, 1849 ; Bhe died Nov. 21. 1876. Mr. and Mrs 
Roll have had seven children — L. G., born Sept. 24, 1850, died Aug. 28, 1851 , 
James M., born Oct, 7, 1851, died Aug. 24, 185.".; John E. and Mary ]•].. burn Sepl 
14, 1853; Rosa K, April 26, 1859, died Nov. 15, 1862; Charles B., born Sept. 13, 
1863; Sidney It., March l!t, 1866. John E. married Phoebe D. Boll; they reside 
near his lather. Mary E. married William Peterson and resides in Cass Co., Iowa. Mr 
Roll owns 360 acres and a very fine home and surroundings complete, also a house and 
lot in Mason City. 

JOHN Y. SWAAR, farmer aud stock-raiser; P. (J. Mason City; was born in 
Scioto Co., Ohio, March 17, 1816 ; from 1829 to 18/56, he Was engaged in boating on 
the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; moved to Illinois in 1837; although he has ever 
since lived within five miles of his present residence in Salt Creek Township, has lived 
in Sangamon, Menard and Mason Cos. He married Sarah R. Powell, of Menard Co., 
Aug. 20, 1840 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, June 4, 1822 ; her lather and mother 
moved from Kentucky to Ohio, and from there to Indiana, and to Menard Co. in 1825 
they have had twelve children — Henry M., born lug. 9, 1841 ; Harriet E., Aug. 27. 
1843 (.married Edward S. Hibbard and lives in Kansas); William M ., Nov. 3, 1845 
Oeorge H., Oct. 6, 1847 (married Mary E. Engel (deceased June 10, 1879, aged 19 
years 4 months and 3 days); Sarah K., born April 6, 1850 (married William Mark- 
well); Alcy J., born Feb. 20, 1852; Samuel P., Sept. 1, 1854, died Sept. 14, same 
year; Amanda I., born Nov. 26, 1855; John C, Dec. 21, 1857; Oratia X. and 
Letitia A., Sept. 12, 1859 ; Abigail, Oct. 4, 1863. Mr. Swaar and his sons own 640 
acres of fine land in Salt Creek Township. 

PULASKI SCOVIL, farmer; P. O. Teheran; was born in Litchfield Co., 
Conn., January 28, 1808; in 1826, he went to Livingston Co., X. Y.. bought a saw- 
mill and .»(M) acres of timber, which he soon sold at an advance, ami went to Brockport, 
in company with a silversmith and jeweler ; but he soon had the business alone, 
and manufactured silverware and sent out peddlers of his ware.- and jewelry until 1831, 
when he moved to Geneva, N. Y., continuing in the same business, with the addition 
of dry goods and notions. In July, 1831, he married Sarah Jerome; she was born in 
Onondaga Co., X. V., in 1813, and deceased in 1840. In the fall of 1832,hetook his 
broken stocks to Buffalo, X. Y., and opened an auction store; it took three months to 
dispose of all the goods; he then went to Cincinnati. Ohio, and commenced the manu- 
facturing of silverware ana the jewelry business in general, which he continued sue 
fully five years; in the spring of 1837, he moved to Havana, in this county, where be 
owned an interest in a steam saw-mill, bought the balance of the mill, and went to lum- 
bering generally ; this mill burned down in 1841 ; he then went to Waterfbrd, I" 
Co., 111., and bought an old mill and fitted it up, and. in is 15. he built another ; both of 
these were destroyed by fire in 1850 — uninsured; he then went to Salt Creek Township, 
where he now resides, and has since followed farming; the first year, with the help of 
one man. he broke 120 acres <>i prairie, from which he gol his first crop of fall wheat — 
3,500 bushels, which may be considered a good yield. The issue, living, of his union 
with Sarah Jerome are Louisa, Ellen, George W. and Emily. Bis second marriage was 
with Olive Cross, of Havana, III., in the fall of l842 ; she died in 1845; he then 
married for his third wife Anna Bordwine, of Fulton Co., 111., in IS 17 ; by this union. 
one sou living— Benjamin V. His fourth marriage was with Carolin N 
Button, of Connecticut, in 1855; she died in I860; he then married Mrs. Hannah 
•loin- dune 23, 1862; Bhe was bqrn in Washington C 
1832; they have, by this issue, five children living— Katie 8., Pulaski J., 
Oliver II., .Martha L* and Arthur A. By her marriage with Greenberry Jones, 
she has four children living — William E., Abner. Mary K. and Corneli Mr 

- vil owns 565 acres of splendid land in Sail Creek Township, and a fine home and 
surroundings, and inn acres in Missouri. 



S48 BIOGRAPHICAL SKEtt HES: 



FOREST CITY TOWNSHIP. 

W. F BRUNING, farmer; P. <> Forest City; was born near Bremen, Germany, 

.">. 1822; when about 18 years of age, he shipped on board the German whale- 
^liip [saria, bound t'ur Greenland, when' the crew engaged in catching whales and - 
the [zaria sailed wiUiin ;i very short distance "1" the most northern point known at thai 
time. Mr. Brnning followed tie- -<-:i for several years, visiting many different pai 
tlic world, and seeing many carious sights. In 1848, be came to Illinois, ami. in the 
following year, located on the farm where he new resides Jane 18, 1841, be mar- 
ried Miss Magdelain Allebrand in New ITork City; they have seven children, Biz of 
them boys— Elisabeth .1 .. Fred L Barman G., Era W., Benry T., William A. ami 
Georgi \ Mr Brnning assisted in organising the Brsl Sundaj Bchool in this pari of 
the country, and is ;i consistent member of tin- Baptist Church. Be owns a fine farm 
of 1 60 aci I near Forest ( Sty, III. 

GEORGE W. DUNN, physician, Forest City; son of Richard and Ann (Wil- 
kinson) Dunn. Bis father was born at Gales, Yorkshire, England, in 1806 and died 
in 1875; be was a Bhoemaker. Bis mother was a daughter of James and Letitia Wil- 
kinson, of England, was born in 1809 and is -till living, in England. They had four 
children, all of whom rarvive, viz., James, living at NewcasUe-on-Tyne, England, who 
neral freight agent of thi I r Street Station; Jane, living in Richmond, 

England; Ann, married and living in Edinburgh, Scotland; and the subject of our 
Bketch, who was born June 29, 1841, in Richmond, Yorkshire, England; he early 
attended Bchool at the national and corporation schools in Richmond; in 1854, hi 
appointed as pupil teacher in the national school, in which he served five years. Be 

I a yearlj examination; in I860, he came to Massachusetts and engaged for siz 
months in a woolen mill : leaving there, he assisted in the office of 1 1 1 - - American T< m 
perance I nion, at New Fork, for some time, and afterward engaged in charge of the 
M. E. Church, at Milburn, N. •! ; in September, I861 s he was received into the North 
Ohio Conf! rence of the Bf. E. Church, ami. in 1863, was ordained Deacon and, in 1 B65, 
Elder. Be was* married, Sept. 10, 1863, to Kate Shaffner, daughter of Martin and 
Susannah Shaffner, of Pennsylvania; her father was born in 1787 and died in 1870; 
her mother was born in 1809 and died in 1850; both were members of the M B 
Church, he for sixty-five yt are. Mrs Dunn was born April 1,1841. In 1865, the Doctor 
moved to Missouri and settled in Knox Co., engaging in the ministry and practicing 
medicine; in 1869, he moved to Barton Co., Mo., and continued in the ministry and 
practicing, afterward moving to Jasper Co., Mo., continuing the same avocations ; in 
1871 -72, he attended the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, wasvaledio 
toriao of the class and graduated in 1 1 1 « - spring of 1872; he returned and continued 
liis practice at Georgia City, Jaaper Co., Mo.; he afterward moved to Newton Co.,M 
practicing there some time, and thence to Barton Co., in 1876; be still continued his 
professions, and, while there, was made President of Barton County Sabbath School 

iation for two terms; they then located at Forest City, III.. July 12, 1877, 
wh< re they have bei n ev< r Bince ; he Bf ill continues his practice and is doing a lucra- 
tive busim ss II' not ■ n ■ d< votes his time to his profession but throws lii- soul into 

the duties of the Sabbath »cl I, church and temperance movement, which should 1"' 

the effort of every physician who expects the smile of Provident d liis labors II' 

is now Vice President of the Sabbath School Association of I ity Township 

and was chosen lay I to the Illinois Conference of the M. B. Church for 18" 

be and his wife retain their membership in the M. K. Church at Forest Citj . he has 

ml. r of the Miss >uri St it • E Medical S ind is at present a m 

ber of the llli i il Society; he was also Corresponding Secretary of 

1 M i'ii They have five children— Ban*] W. t \ Lincoln, 

\.in K . and Richard Martin I in February, 1879 



FOREST CITY TOWNSHIP. 

GEORGE HIMMEL, farmer; P. (). Bishop's Station ; is a brother of J. W. C. 
and T. F. Hitmnel, whose sketches appear elsewhere in this work ; be was born Dec. 1 1, 
1885, in Germany, and in 1846 he came with the family to Mason Co., III., making 
their first settlement in Quiver Township, on the farm now occupied by T. F. Bimmel ; 
he remained there until married Sept. 14, L 859, to Elizabeth Haas, daughter of Curl 
G umbel, of Germany, a blacksmith. They soon settled on her farm of -<>o a 
in Spring Lake Township, remaining there eleven years, and then moved to Forest City 
Township, and settled there on 160 acres, partly inherited by his father; they have in 
all 520 acres, probably worth §511 per acre. In 18(i4, he was licensed as a local 
preacher of the Evangelical Association; he has had nine children — Elmira, Katie Iv, 
Charles E., Annie, George A.. Henry, Mary, Frank and an infant deceased ; all belong 
to Church. Mr. Himmcl has been connected with the school offices, and has been Super- 
intendent of Sabbath schools. Though his sun is now declining in the western horizon, he 
enjoys good health, and is quite active for his years. Faithful and reliable in all his 
relations of life, he bids fair for more extended usefulness in the country where he 
resides. 

M US. LOIS A. INGERSOLL. farmer ; P. 0. Forest City ; widow of the late Sam- 
uel Hinkley Ingersoll, who was burn in Hinckley, Medina Co., Ohio, Dec. 20, 1828. At 
the age of 21, he went with the rush of emigration that swept westward to California in 
184!), and there remained until 1855 ; upon his return, he went into the commission 
business in Chicago, 111., where he remained for about a year. In 1856, be moved to 
a farm about five miles south of Forest City, Mason Co. He was united in marriage 
with .Miss Lois A. Van Onnan, Dee. 13, 1858; Mrs. Ingersoll is a native of Medina Co. 
Ohio. They had ten children, seven of whom are living, three boys and four girls; 
When Mason Co. was first organized, under township organization, Mr. [ngersoll was 
elected the first Supervisor of what was then Mason Plains Township, now Forest City 
Township, and was re-elected, year after year, with a few exceptions, during the remain- 
der of his life; he died in the prime of life, deeply mourned by all who knew him, Nov 
30, 1877. The estate comprises 1,060 acres of as fine farming land as can be found in 
Mason Co. Mrs. [ngersoll has, with rare business tart, succeeded in managing her I 
farms admirably well. 

JOSIAI1 JACKSON, carpeuter and builder, Forest City ; was born in Seneca 
Co., Ohio, May 8, 1834, where he remained until he arrived at manhood. He married 
Miss Mary A. Beard Jan. 6, 1 ^5l>. In the spring of L857, they left their home in 
Ohio and came to Illinois, locating in Vandalia, where he worked at his trade as carpen- 
ter for four years. He then removed to the place where Forest City now stands, and 
immediately went to work at his trade. Mr. Jackson built the first two dwelling-houses 
in Forest City. He continued to work at his trade here for a year aid a half, wh n he 
returned with his family to his old home in Ohio, and resumed his accustomed occupa- 
tion. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 169th Ohio V. I., and was mustered out of 
the scrviee in the following September; he then returned to his family in Ohio. Again 
the little family took their way to Illinois, where he found employment as a school 
teacher, immediately after his arrival. Mr. Jackson entered into the mercantile busi 
but met with reverses that caused him to abandon it, and resume his old occupation of 
carpenter and builder, in which he is -till engaged. He was elected Justice of the 1' 
in L 866, and again in 1874; he has held a commission as Notary Public for twelve 
years in Forest City ; for the last ten years, he has devoted all his spare time to the 
Btudy of the law, and i> occasionally < ngaged in the prac ice of that profession, with a 
fair degree of success. With the usual amount of study and practice, he is bound to 
succeed in this profession. Mr Jackson has just ben awarded the contract for building 
the Sohoolhouse at Manit >. which is a capital indorsement of his capacity and encrgj 
as a business man. They have been blessed with four children —Eva l>.. horn Ma 
1857; B. Fuller, Aug. 28, I860; Sherman <;.. .Ian. 22, 1865; Rutherford, Oct. 3, 
1876. 

EELENE KREILING, farmer; P. O. Bishop's Station; was born September 
-'). L821, in Germany; her fathers name was Barman Witte; -he came to Illinoi- in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

L 849, and, in married t" 15. II Kreiling. who was born in Qermanyand 

in Illinois about 1850; they settled for some time on a farm near Havana; in 
1854, they bought and Bettled >.n the presenl farm of l- 11 acres, which they have 
improved and made <>t' fine quality. Mr. Kreiling held offices eonneoted with the 
schools, and was a member of the Lutheran Church; he died April 1, 1879, leaving a 
wife and nine children — Barman, Anna. Henry, Maggie, Mary. Liddie, John, August 
aixl G They are all members of the Lutheran Church. 

ZACHARLAB MILLER, farmer; !'.<>. Forest City; like many other citisens 
of M Mr. Miller was born in the adjoining territory, which ia now Menard 

be was born Aug. 24, 1823, near where Athena now Btands. He married Miss 

Naney Cogdall, a native of Kentucky, Sept. 5, L845; they have eight boys and two 

girls, all li p< tin- eldesi Bon, Nult. win. died in 1872; their birtba were as fol- 

Minerva, Aug. 3, L846; Nult, Oct. 5, L848; Hardin, March 13,1861; Sidney, 

7. 1852; Maha .. Jan 1'.'. L854; Sir i, Deo. 25, 1856; Clinton, Feb. 25, 

1859; Austin, I' -7 I860; Terry, Aug. 14, 1863 ; Holley, Sept. 3, 1865. .When 
Mr. Miller, with his wit. an. I one baby, ram t.. Mason ('.... in L846, his worldly poa 

□a consisted of a horse and cow. Mr. Miller now owns 200 acres of g 1 farm 

land in the vicinity of Forest City, Mssoe C<>.. 111.; he now residea in the villa-' of 
Forest City. 

ELI T. NIKIRK, Btation agent, Forest City; born in Washington Co., M-l.. 
moved t" the presenl >it .- of Forest City in 1853; his wife's maiden 
name was Olivia 6. Beard; they have had four children — Clyde G. who is nov 
tiim agent on the P., P. & J. 1! ft., at Pekin, 111. », Charles <)t ho (telegraph operator 
and railroad book-keeper, at Forest City, 111. . and the two younger children, Laura I> 
and !><>n Jinn. He waa elected Justice of the Peace in 1857, and served four yean 
II enlisted a-- a private in Co. K. 85th I. V. 1.. and was commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant bj Gov. Fates May 26, 1863 ; the regiment waa engaged in many severe battles, 
and closed their military career with th. m< morable march t.. the sea under Qen. Sher- 
man; he waa D ml in 1865, having served nearly thr. < >n his return 

rest City, he opened a gTooerj Btore and restaurant, which he conducted i'..r nine 
appointed station agent on th.- P., 1'. \ .1. II. I! . at Forest City, 
which position he dow holds; he owns 240 acres "I tine land in the vicinity of Ft 

I ', ONSTOT, merchant, Forest City ; was born in Suj G in what is now 

1 Hi- father Bettled in that seoti D in 1824, being .'lie .>f the v. r\ first set- 

of Sangamon *'... The Onstot family moved to New Salem, on the 8angamon 
River, in 1831. At this time, the timber-lands along tin Sangamon and Ball C 

were full of roving Indian*. The family remained a: m. where il Ider Mr. 

■t kept the village tavern, until l v l'». Abraham Lincoln boarded at this I 
when hi began his first law .studies with Squire Green, and made his home with the 
< >n-t<.t family for two years, during which time young Lincoln practiced surveying in 
.try Mr. Line.. In and the ell.r Mr. Onstot were warm friend 

long as they lived In 1840, the tow d of New Salem waa moved bodily t\\ ilea 

oorth, to tie presenl Bite of the city of Petersburg, which was made the county seat of 

1 Th. (>n--,.t family moved their buildings with tfa the new town, 

where thei resided until 1M7. when they went t<> Havana, whore they remained until 

Nli Onstot, the subject of this sketch, waa married t.. M J Saral I. Ellsworth 

March 1-. 1852 Immediately after their marri moved upon a piece of raw 

prairie, three mil..- from tie- Dearest house, where, by hard work and frugal habits, thej 

contrived to improve their farm and make some advance in prosperity. Mr <>u-t..t lived 

<.u this fa i in for thirteen years, when he moved t< City, and engaged in the lum- 

h. i business, and still continues in this line of trade. In the Bpring of 181 rmed 

rtnership with G onu ^ Pemberton under the firm name of Oeo. W Pemberton 

\ ('•■ . and engaged in a general merchandise busii ss Mr. and Mrs. Onstot have had 

* whom are living Ella C. born May 6, 1859, died Dec. 20, I 
Mar in B. and Lulu C. They also have an adopted son. Mr. Onstot ha* 



PENNSYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. 851 

served the people of Forest City Township as Tax Collector for four years, and Justice 
of the Peace lour years. 

9 \MUKL f. WALKER; P. 0. Forest City; was born in Adair Co., Ky., Jan. 
30, 1 830. At the age of 23, he left his native Stat", coming directly to Mason Co., 
where he worked on a farm one year. The next few months were passed in a cabinet 
shop in Havana. In 1855, Mr. Walker removed to Spring Like, where he assisted his 
brother John, who was engaged in a general merchandise business, I'.r about three years. 

In L858, Mr. Walker, in company with his brother and thn ther young men, made 

the memorable trip to Pike's Peak, with the u-^ual degree of success, being absent about 
six months. Upon his return, in 18(H), Mr. Walker went into partnership with Mr. A. 
Cross, in the grain, lumber and general merchandise business, at Forest City, III., which 
business was continued for several years. Mr. Walker was united in marriage with 
Miss Julia A. Fosket April 13, 1863. They have had eight children, one boy and 
seven girls, three of whom are still living, as follows : Esther B., born Sept. 1_', 1864 ; Polly 
S., April 1, 1871; Patsey Y., April 7, 1878. Mr. Walker owns a fine residence in 
Forest City, and about one hundred acres of good farming land in the vicinity of the 
village. He has been Clerk of Forest City Township for twelve years, and was elected 
Supervisor in 1878, and re-elected in 1871b 

J AS. S. WALKER, physician and surgeon. Forest City. Dr. Walker was born 
at Walker's drove, in what was then Sangamon County, M ly 4, IS {9, being on; of the 
first white children b >rn in that part of the country. At the aje of 19, he began the 
study of medicine with Dr. Dieffenbacher, at Havana, and in the fall of 1860, en 'e red 
Lind Medical College, now the Chicago Medical College, and gradnited in 1863; he 
then' began practice in the same neighborhood where he was born and raised — at 
Walker's Grove ; he practiced there for three years, with very flattering success. In 
1865, he formed a partnership with Dr. Hall, an 1 engaged in practice in Mason City. 
This partnership lasted for two years, when he became a partner with Dr. J. ('. 
Patterson ; this lasted until 1809, when Dr. W. removed to Forest City, where he now 
resides. He was married to Miss Sarah E. Updike, a nitive of Trouiont, Tazewell Co., 
111., Aug. 16, 1864. They have had four children, three of wh >m are living — Alma, 
March 12, 1866; Ella, Jan. 4, 1868; Frank U., 1) c. 22, 1869; Artie, March 16, 
187 1, die 1 when a little more than a year old. The Doctor enjoys a large and lucrative 
practice in Forest City and the surrounding country. 

MRS. L. C. WHITAKBR, fanner; P. O. Forest City; was born in Adair Co., 
Ky., Feb. 22, 1836, her maiden name being L. C. Cheek. She was in oriel to Mr. 
John B. Whitaker Sept. 22, 1857. Mr. Wliitaker was born May 13, 1826, in Mus- 
kingum Co., Ohio, and removed to Winchester, III., in 1849 ; ho removed to Mason Co., 
apon the farm now occupied by Mrs. W., in 1852. She has five children living- 
Henry, born Oct, 27, 1858; Mary, Oftt. 15, IS il ; James and William, twins, born 
July 16, 1864; Reuben, Aug. 23, 1871. Mr. Whitaker died in 1872. Since her 
husband's death, Mrs. Whitaker has carried on her farm, with the help of her children, 
with good success. They own about 200 acres, situated one and a half miles south of 
Forest City. 



PENNSYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. 

DAVID E. CRUSE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Teheran ; wis born in Hun- 
tingdon Co., Peon. Nov. 1, 1833; his father, Augustus, was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., and married Elizabeth Etenoh; they reside in Miami Co., Ohio, and have eight chil- 
dreu living— Joseph EL, Lena M., David E., Luther C, Cinderella, George W, Dm -trim 
A. aud Roxanna N. En 1839, the family moved to Ohio; David B. Cruse moved to 
Mason Co., where they now reside, in September 1855, and married Hannah Tomlin 
Nov. 30, 1856; she was born in Cumberland Co., N. J., Deo, 21, 1838, an 1 came to 
Mason Co. with her parents in 1854. Mr. C. has been School Director most of the 
tiuu, tlu last seventeen years, in Pennsylvania Township. They have had ten children 



852 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

— Cinderella, born July -7. 1857, died Oct. 5, following ; Caroline W., born Oct. 3, 
L858; Matthew A.. Feb. 11,1860; Hannah K . June 20, 1863; Margaret M , Mayl, 
1868; Roxanna B. July 4 1867; David S., Feb. 1. 1869 ; John 8., Jan. 7, 1871; 

a, Jan. 18, 1873, and I Jan. 21, 1878. Mrs. Cruae'a father, Matthew 
Tomlin, waa born in Cumberland Co., N J . Maj », and married Hannah 
Horner, of the aame place; la- <li'<l in M - d Co. Feb. 22, 1873; she died Dec; 1, 
1-7". in the Bamo place. Mr. Cruse owna a well-improved farm of 160 acres. In 
politics, he i» a Demo< r.it. 

.\ N DREW .J. CATES, grain merchant, farmer and Btock-raiaer, Teheran ; was born 
Dear Hill&boro, Cofl srson Co., 111., with his 

parents, in 1 B3 I ; they moved to Greene Co., Mo., the same \< ar. remaining two years, 
then moved Hamilton Co., 111., where bis parents remained; bis father, Jamea I. 
born in Alabama Aug. 1 1, 1809, and married Nancy Shelton Jan. 7. 1831 ; she waa 
born in Virginia Jan. 9, 1808. He died Aug. 10,1846; si \. J. 

the subject of this sketch, came to Mason Co. Oct. 16, 1854. but Bpeotthe next 
winter in Fu t< n Co.; the next fall, commenced farming, and lias followed the business 
. ho bought land in Pennsylvania T iwnship, where he now r» sidi - in I 

Teh ran. In 1874, was elected Justiceof the Peace; still officiates. August 21, 
1855, bo married Emily 0. Scovil, daughter of Pulaski Scovil, of Salt Creek Township; 
she waa born in Havana. Mason Co., Noi 26, 1838 They have had twelve children — 

. [., b rn Sept. 9, 1856; Am i \ . N -. Mary B., Nov. 24, 1860 ; LiJie 

i: . N l i 1802; William S.. Feb 10, 1865, died Nov. 21, 1866; Joseph A., born 

1 5,1807 Charles I., Feb. 17, 1869 ; Walter J., Feb. 13, 1871 ; Effie May, April 
19, 1873 \ . April :;. 1875; Ada .).. May 3, 1-77, and Jessie M . Jan. 20, 

II n- 249 acrea of land, and a fine borne and outbuildings in Teheran. In 

: b he is a Republic I). 

MRS. MARY ANN DOLCATER, farming; P. 0. Easton; widow of Henry 
Iv Dulcater, deceased ; be was born in Bielsfield, Germany, Sept. 23, 1832, and came 
to this county in September, 1856, an 1 settled in Mason Co., and followed farming and 

^-raising until his decease, which occurred April 12, 1879 II" married Mrs Mary 
\ Samuel I Aug. 23, 1859; Bhe w a bo n in Sangamon Co., 111., Feb. L3, 1833; her 
father, Wi liam Pelbam, was born in C at Nov. 27, 1797, and married Almira 

' tli.- s.n.i- State: she was born Sept. 3, 1803; they moved to Illinois in 
1824; bhe died Deo. 6, 1864; he died Nov. 13, Mary Ann, the subject of this 

sketch, married Brst husband) Thomas A. Samuel] Aug. 23, 1856; be waa born in 
March 1. 1807, and came to Illinois in 1835, from Kentucky; by 
tlii.-> marriage was one boy — William Thomas; lie was born Oct. 1, 1857, and died 
Jan. 20, I860. Henry Iv Dilcater w i r i April. 1874, So] ad served 

two years. .Mr. and Mrs. Dolcatcr have five 1" • Hi ■ C . b rn Aug. 23, 1861 , 
William C, D 13; Franklin J., Aug. 25, 1865; Edward H., Oct 11, 1 

Charles 1' March 24, 1870. She own:) 164 fine prairie, and a beautiful home 

in Pennsylvania Township, where she resid 

IJULDAU DOKRKLL, farming; P. < ). Easton; widow uf Franda Dorrell, 

:-«•■! ; be was born in McKeysport, Penn., Feb. 1. 1808. and moved to Hamilton 

< mio, with liia parents, in 1H22, and married Huldah Dcnman Feb. 2*1, 1832; 
ahu was born in Unmil Ohio, S pt 30, 1806; her lather. Nathaniel Dcnman, 

born in N • Aug. 29, 1780, ami married Susanna Crow in .June, 1- 

ahc was bnrn in Pennsylvania in 1782, and died Feb 11. 1^11 ; bodied March 16, 
1830, in II a mil ton Co., Ohio. Mr, Dorrell waa aubject to heart disease and consump- 
tion, but was cal ed to the >i< k bed of his son, who w.i> in the l T . S. Army Hospital, at 
Bolivar, Tenn.; be arrived there only in time to close hU eyes in death ; attended hia 
fun iral, and on hi> return, himself worn by excitement and overcome by gri< i. 
cum bed to the inevitable, in Havana, even before he reached his home; tbey have had 
ei.h U., bom N. \ 20,1832; Sarah II.. Aug. I Marj A. 

\ hn M.. Sept 22, 183U -enlisted in the Federal »rmy, in 1861, and 

died uf camp disease, at Bolivar, Tenn., Dec. U, 1862; Charles C., born Uct. •'!", 1841 , 






PENNSYLVANIA TOWNS 11 IP. 853 

David D., Sept. 27, 1844 ; Rebecca, April 11, 1847. died April 5, following; Lauretta, 
born March -4, 1848, died July 5, following. Susanna C. married William C. Thomp- 
son in December, 180(1; be was born in England Aug. 10, 1 S 2 1 , died July 1'.). Is?:;, 
in Wyoming Territory; they had four children— Francis D., born Oct. 13, 1801; Car- 
oline, Jan. 10, 180"), died Aug. 4, following ; Andrew, born Aug. 23, 1867, died at 
the age of 3 weeks and 3 days; and Pic' ard, born Aug. 15, 1872. .Mrs. Dorrell owns 
100 acres of excellent prairie land, of which she has been sole and successful manager 
since her husband's decease — now at the age of 73, in the possession of good health 
and remarkable vigor and wonderful memory of every event in her eventful life. 

JOSEPH FINK, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O.Teheran; was born in Luzerne 
Co., Penn., June 13, 18^2; except two years that he was empl yed clerking in a store, 
has followed farming; he came to Pennsylvania Township, where he now resides, in 
1850. He married Angelina Benscoter Dec. 2, 1855, in Luzerne Co., Penn., where 
she was born Aug. 4, 1830; her father, Jacob Benscoter, was born July 7, 1804, and 
married Jane Moss, in March, 1820; she was born April 2, 1SII7, and died July 1, 
1800, in Mason City, where Mr. B. now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Kink have had nine 
children — Walker B., born Dec. 7, 1850, and married Fannie Johnson Dec. 22, 1877, 
and moved to Kansas City July 15 ,1879 ; Emma L. J., born Sept. 11, 1858 ; Dcnie It., 
March 18,1800; Porter II.. Sept, 10, 1861; Lot, Nov. 22, 1863, died March 23, 
1807; Harvey D., born Sept. 15, 1805; Jacob B., April 0, 1873; Arthur S., March 
17, 1875, and Joseph M., Sept. 20, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Pink are members of the 
M. B. Church, and the four eldest children of the Society of United Brethren. He 
owns a good farm of 1-5 aces — good house and outbuildings. 

ANDREAS FUURKll, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Easton ; was born in 
Baden, Germany, Oct. 24, 1839 ; he landed in New Oilcans in June, and in Havana, 
Mason Co., July 3, 1853, with lis parents; he has made farming his business; in 
ISO.'!, bought eighty acres in Pennsylvania Township, where he now resides. Pee. 30, 
1800, he married Mary Ann Dorrell ; she was born in Sangamon Co., 111., Aug. 26, 
1837; she is a daughter of Francis and Iluldah Dorrell (see biography of lluldah 
Dorrell, widow). In June, 1870, Mr. Furrer concluded to take a vacation, by a grand 
excursion to the Centennial Exposition, in Philadelphia, and a visit to his old home in 
Germany, visiting all the principal cities on the route, including Paris, the capital of 
France. On his return, Mrs. Funvr meeting him at Philadelphia, they v sited p tints 
of interest on their return to the West; they have six children — Iluldah P.. born Dec. 
11, 1801; John D., March 13, 1805; Nathaniel D., June 10, 1807; Sarah P.. Pee. 
5, 1869; Susanna C., June 22, 1872, and Francis D., Feb. 5, 1875. He owns 440 
acres of land, and a fine house, barn and outbuildings. 

JAMES I. HURLEY, firmer and Btock-raiser ; P. O.Teheran; was born in 
Ocean Co., N. J., June 11, 1830 ; there he followed the business of burning chare >al ; 
they moved to Mason Co., III., in the fall of 1832 ; his father, Aaron Hurley, died on 
board a boat, on their way West, with the cholera, and was buried on Liberty Island, 
just below St. Louis. (See biography of Christopher Titus.) After they came to 
Mason Co., Mr. James I. Hurley woikcd at farming by the month or day, until March 
1861, when he purchased eighty acres of improved land, where he now resides, in 
Pennsylvania Township, lie married Emma J. Riggs March 11, 1869; she was born 
in Orange Co., N. O, May 30, 1850, and came to Mason Co. Oct 28, 1868; thy 
have had seven children — Maggie E., horn Feb. 17, 1S70; Sybil P., March 18, 1871 ; 
Olive M., May 29. 1-72 (died July 18 followiig) ; Petro N., Ocl 25, L873; Lena P., 
Sept. 12, 1874; Bertha V., Jan. 5, 1877; Royal E., June 8, 1878. He owna 1 10 
acres of land, a good house and barn, and outbuildings, which he has ereoted since 186*3 

JOHN \V. PUG H, Supervisor, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Mason City ; was 
born in Plymouth, Luzerne Co., Penn.. Aug. 5. 1824. IPs father own 
large farm, a grist and saw mill, which gave him plenty of miscellaneous and general 
employment while at home. He moved to Mason Co. (Havana Township) in 1850; 
entered eighty acres of land that fall, in Section 27, Township 22, Pang.' 7. and has 
since followed farming, mainly, though duriug the year of 16 51, was captain of a boat 



854 BIOGRAPHICAL BKETCHES 

running between Havana and Chicago, "n the Illinois River. Juno 8, 1854, he married 
Mist Sarah Apple, daughter of Maj. Henry Apple, of Fulton Co., III. She was born in 
Clermont Co., Ohio, fcug 7. 1827 Mr. Pugh was elected Supervisor in April, 1866, 
and lias lit- lc 1 the office ever since, except two years that he was in the State Legislature, 
to which he was elected id November, 1874 They have had >i\ children — II. m. \ 
hum Feb. 22, 1855; Man E tfov. 21, 1856; Charles W., Sept. 7, 1859 ; G< rgi B., 
U ■ _'_'. 1861 : Clara K . April 19, 1864; John P., born July 29, 1867, died Aug 
1868 He owns > One home, and •">}.'; acres of land. They belong u> the Presbyterian 
Church. In politics, Mr. Pugh is a Democrat. 

GEORGE W. SCOVILL, farmer and Btock-raiser ; P O.Mason City. "Yankee" 
was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct 31, 1837 ; moved to Adams Co., III. in 1857 
worked by the month for wages about four years; be then returned to his old home, 
but returned, in August, to Mason Co., and leased 200 acres of new unbroken prairie, 
ui Harvej Soovill, for five years. In 1865, he bought a farm, where he now resides. 
He married a daughter of Pulaski Scovil, of Salt Creek Township — Mrs Mir a L 
Paul, April 17 1867 She was born in February, 1833, aud married Thomas E. Paul 
Sept. 6, 1854, who was born Feb 13, 1830, and died at Nashville. Tenn. in the Fed- 
eral army), of typhoid fever, Dee. v . 1861. They had three children — Sarah K.. horn 
lied April •_'. I iil.-v l'».. born April 6, 1858; Stephen A., hum 

Dec 25, I860, died Dec 25, 1862 Mr. George W. Scovill's rather, John W 
born in Litchfield Co.. Conn., and married Martha Wilson, of the same county; died 
March \, 1863, She resides on the old homestead, in Connecticut. After his father 
died, Mr. Soovill rented his farm out, and returned to farm a portion of the old home- 
stead, but Boon tiro! of his efforts to obtain wealth from the little earth distributed 
among the rocks of Connecticut, and gladly returned to his rural Western home They 
have had four children— ^George W., born Feb. 3, 1867; Mary L.,born Feb. I I. I 
died Aug. 17, 1872; Iddie I... born Sept. 27, 1-71 . Martha «'.. born Nov. 22, I 
died March I. l s 77. He owns I fine farm of 230 acres, a new house, cost $2,000, ami 
fine ontbuildings, also a house and two lots in Mason City, and began life in the West 
without a dollar of his own. 

CHRISTOPHER TITUS, farma P Mason City; was horn in Luaern 
I', nn., Aug 25 1832, where he worked at farming, carpentering, boating, etc . m 
to Mason <"". in August, 1852. The next Bpring, he bought eighty acres in Salt Creek 
Township, where he resided a year ; after that, lived in Havana an 1 Quiver Townships ; 
moved on to bis farm where he now resides, in Pennsylvania Township, in February, 
He married Marj Jane Hurley Nov. •_'.".. 1858; Bhe was horn in Ocean ('•• S 
.1 Aug. 15, 1830. Her father, Aaron Hurley, married Fannie Dennis; they both 
horn in New Jersey; he died Oct. 2, 1852 with cholera, on board a boat while on their 
way to the West, and was buried on Liberty Island, just below St. Louis; he was horn 
\ 21, 1803 She was hum Feb. 18, 1804, and now resides near Mr Tun- Mr. 
and Mrs Titus have had six children — Fames, born Oct 12, 1859^ Halleck 8 

M i i ami Fannie, April l'I. 1865; Sarah, horn Jan. 26, 1868, died Dec l. 
1874, and Mary A., born Aug. 11. 1871. Mr. Titus i- a member of the Bociety of 
United Brethren in Christ. He owns [60 acres of land in Pennsylvania Township 

JOHN VAN HORN, farmer ami Btock-raiser; 1' M - a City; was born in 
Bucks Co., Penn., S pt. 16, 1816; hi- father. David, was horn in the same county 

i 27, 1781, ami married Sarah Gillen; she was born Aug. 11. 1786 Theym 
to Warren Co., < Mrio, and then to M iml Co., i mi > ; he died there in Septemb x, 1 85 i 
she died in Wabash Co., End., in August 1-7" -l >hn Van Horn, the subject of this 

h, learned the business of Btone-cutting in Miami Co., Ohio, and followed the bus 

i number of years. He married .lane Mathers Dee. 24, 1840; she was born in 
Hamilton <',.., Ohio. Sept - 1822; her father. David L., was born indie sai lounty 

15, 1797, and married Margaret Williams March 22, 1821; she was horn in 

i ; . July 1. 1798; he died in Miami Co. Sept. 11. 1850, and she died near 

M.ison Citj Mason Co [11., Jan 24, 1875 John Van Horn, the Bubjeet of this 

sketch, moved to M.i-on Co., where I" - now resides, in the npring of 1857, has I n 



cram; creek township. 855 

Justice of the Peace, but, after serving two years declined a renomination, preferring 
to give his whole attention to hie farming interests. They have had ten children — 
David P., born Feb. 4, 1842; Sarah J., Oct. 16, 1844; John E., Nov. 11,1846 ; Mar- 
garet, March 16, 1849; duel, .May 20, L851 ; Martin, A.. April 17, is:. I ; Elizabeth, 
July 31, 1856; Susan, Jan. 6, 1859; Job, June L5, L861, died April 3, 1867; and 
Miles, born Oct. 17, L863. Be owns 72:> acres of land, a fine house and outbuildings — 
and reads and writes without "lasses. 

EDWARD WILSON, farmer and stock raiser ; P. 0. Mason City; was born in 
Pennsylvania June 4, 1812; moved with Ins parents to Greene Co., Ohio, when he was 
about a year old ; his father, George Wilson, married Annis Ashcraft ; they were bom 
in Pennsylvania; he died in Greene Co., Ohio, in 1820 ; Mrs. Wilson, with her children, 
Edward, John and James, in 1S2:!. moved to Madison Co., Ohio, and. in 1836, to 
Tazewell Co., 111., near Pekin, where she died in January, 1840. Edward Wilson, the 
subject of this sketch, married Rebecca Woodrow March '•'>. 1846; Bhe was born in 
Licking Co., Ohio. Aug. 4. 1S2:>. Her father, Samuel Woodrow, was hum in Penn- 
sylvania Jan. (>. 1789, and married Catharine Moiitanye; she was born in New .1 
Sept. 7, 1798, and died Nov. 10, 1m;:; ; he died Dee. 12, 1874; both are buried in 
Cincinnati Township, Tazewell Co., 111., where they lived ; they were among the first 
settlers of Ellison's Prairie in Illinois, in 1824; they moved to Tazewell Co. in 1825. 
Mr. ami Mrs. Wilson have had ten children — Samuel W., horn dan. 9, 1847, died Dec. 
'JO. 1851 ; Amelia, horn Sept. 17, 1848, died Nov. ."> following; Malvina, born March 
24, 1850; Catharine, March 2, 185:5; John A.. S pt. 21. ls;,l ; Charles W., dan 31, 
1856; Mary E. and Cornelius R., Aug. 2."). 1858; Mary B. did dan. 25, 1859; 
Annabell, born Oct. 21, 1861 ; and a little girl unnamed. He owns a tine house and 
outbuildings and 446 acres of land. 



CRANE CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

JESSE BAKER (deceased), farmer; Mr. Baker was one of the first white Bet- 
tiers of Mason Co.; he was born in Tennessee in 17!*!), and came to Illinois Territory 
in 1816 and settled in what is now Morgan Co., and, in 1833, located in Mason I 
where he passed ihe remainder of his life. He has had a varied experience; possessed 
of an unusually vigorous and robust frame, he endured the privations and hardship- of 
pioneer life, the chase of the deer and the defense against the noble red nc n. which 
few could endure; he has fought the Indians from tree to tree ; was extemporary with 

and Scovill, of Havana, and others; he engaged ill farming upon Crane ('reek; 
near where he and his descendants have resided fur nearly half a century; he raised 
ninety huhels of corn per acre and sold supplies to Mr. Faulkner, the first former 
of Sherman ToWnship. His descendants are among the substantial residents of the 
county. Upon A.ug 20. 1879, Jesse Bakerpassed down the dark valley at tin age of 
so years. He was a man esteemed very highly for his many noble trait- of char- 
acter, and one of whom his COtemporaries will admit that his life was m t a failure and lie 
did not live in vain; he wa> an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, in the rafting and 
old Salem days of the latter. He was the lather of Mrs. R. W. Porter, of Mason City, 
who was with him several days before and up to the time of his death. 

GEORGE W. ESTEP farmer; P.O. Kilbourne; was born at Baker's Prairie, 

across the river from Petersburg, Menard Co., HI., March 0. 1823; his father. Janes 
Estep, and his grandfather, Elijah Estep, were tin Brat owners of the land Petersburg 
is built on. George W. Estep commenced farming on Ins own account in Mason Co., 
in 1>1>. He married Cynthia Norris An-. 2. 1849; -ho was born in Greene Co.. 111., 
May 8, 1828, aid came with ber parents to Mason Co. in 1835 ; they have had eight 
children— Fini& M., Rhoda K., William B., Celia J. and Alvin are living; Celestia 
died aged 8 days; James A. died in his 13th year; Mary died in her 18th year ; Finis 
and llhoda are married ; the others reside at home with their parents. He owns a farm 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of 130 scree in tliis and Kilb arno Townships. Himself, wife and three children, are 
menitx ra of 1 1 ' Ihurch. 

WM. J, KSTKP; farmer and stock-raiser; !' •> East n; was born in Menard 
[11., dan I. 1831 ; went with his parents to Jasper Co., M >., in the spring of I - 
and in 1844, 1 Co., Iowa, and t" McDonougb Co., III., in 1846, and to Crane 

Creek T' wn-hip i:i 1848, where he has siuce resided ; his father, James ISstep, and his 
grandfather, Elijah Bhtep, were thd fir-' own ra of the land on which Petersburg, 
M IC - built; they wcnl there in the spring of 1826. The Bubject of this 
sketch married M - Judith Tomlin July 26, 1855; she was born in Cumberland Co., 
N .1 , Jan. 23, 1835, and came to Ma«on Co. with her par< bruary, 1846. 

Mr. Este] r taken ;imv wiv active pari in politics, but has ! Township 

3 hool Trustee, Commissioner of Highways and Sup rvisor one year, etc. ; he 
own- H if land and a li IC li in •. 

DAVID C. ESTKP I' <> Kilbourne; was born in Menard Co., HI., 

went to Jasper Co., Mo., with Ids parents in the spring of 1839; in 
1844, to Davis Co., Iowa, and to McDonough Co., III., in 1846, and to Crane Creek 
Town-hip in 1848; Ids father, Ja i. p, died Pub. 5, 1857, and I i- mother, Feb. 
;•. l~->."> ; hi- father and lis grandfather were the firsl owners of land that Petersburg; 
M iard Co., is built on. In 1 857, the subject of this sketch left hum" and worked hero 
and there farming; he mari d Mary P. Baker, of Menard ('" . Nov. 12, l>.:i; Bhe 
was born .Mav In. 1846. They have four children living— Etta M., Mil.- I',. Misty 
David F. Mr. H>tep commenced farming Ids own land in the spring of 1865, 
am. moved < a to tin 1 farm lie now owns I 6U acres i in the spring of 1 Bl 

JAMES M. BSTEP, farmer; P.O. Havana; was boru in St. Clair Co., HI., D 
II. 1819; in the spring of 1820, his father, James Estep, moved to the spot now occu- 
pied by Petersburg, Menard Co., ami a year or two later, his grandfather, Elijah h 

there, and both made the necessary improve ments t<> hold the land ami enter el iims 
when it bIiouIJ he put tin tin- iii;i iki-t by the Government, and effected their purchase in 
1 -J 7 . - 1 ill at the father and grandfather were the first owners of nearly all the land mi 
which Petersburg was built. Mr. James M. Estep holds land grants ever the signatures 
of d. (,) Adam-. A n Irew Jackson, Martin Van liuren, dame- K Polk ami '/,. Taylor. 

- Estep was born in North Carolina, Feb 16, 1795, ami died Feb. •">, 1857, in 
Crane Creek Township ; he married Ahigail Tcter, of Virginia, Dee. •">! . 1816 ; she was 
bo ii Deo, 5, 17:' l, ami died Feb. !». 1855. James M. Kstep'e school advantages were 
little beyond what he taught himself; he has always followed farming, and purcl 
here in 1849; he married Mr- Maria F. Perkins, Short) Feb. 1 1. 1858; she was born 
in Menard Co., Ul., June 12, 1835, and lad two children by her first marriage — Kdgar, 
win i died at the age of 1 (l years, Jame* D., lives in Kilbourne Township ; her father was 
b in in January, 1 -'»."> in Kentucky; In r mother in St. Clair ('<> . III.. I> e. 28, I 
h i father I'd Nov. 27, 1846, in Government service in the Mexican war. Mr. ami 
Mi I p have had six children— Sarah A., born Jan. 24, 1859; Dillard M..S«*ptl3, 
died .Inly i'.!. 1863; Carrie K. and Cordic C, born May 16, 1865; Bl 

and Ida L M Feb. 1.1-71; Sarah J. married H li Samuell and lives in 
1 Township. Mr. Estep owns now -">7 ( i acres of land. 

JAMES I- HAWKS, farmer; P.O.Easton; was born in Green C K \ 
1^-'" and moved to Mason Co. III., in the Call of 1849. At the age of 16 years, with 
hi- father went down the Ohio and Mississippi River to market, with two fiatboats loaded 
with tobacco; on their return, his father was sin-ken with lever, ami died within sixty 
miles of hotu< At the age of 19, he . ntered hi- un re in Adair Co K 

clerk, ami remained b tween eight and nine rears . he then invested all his means in 
company with a horse-buyer, and bought a drove of horses to sel in Mississippi, but was 
hit by hi- par tier with only $80 in nionej ami two horses. Be had a sister living in 
Ma- n <'m . i.l , where he decided t" go and engage in f-trmin?, and has since remained. 
lie reached Crane Creek Township in the tall of 1849. Feb. 25, 1852, he married 
Abigail Bale; her father. Solomon Bale, was one among tin- li .-• settl rs of this town- 
ship; .-In- w i- i.,.!ii 18 ;_'. in Green Co., Ky. They have ten children — Mary 



CRANE CREEK TOWNSHIP. 857 

E., born Dec. 3, 1852; Nancy R., Doc. 13, 1854; William II , Got. 12, L856 ; Jamea 
11., Nov. 18, 1858; Sophia, Feb. 3, 1861 ; Fielding T.. Aug. L8, 1863; Solomon L., 
Jan. 21, 1866; George A.. May 1, 1868; John C, Feb. 19, 1871 ; Ella M., May 7, 
is;.",. The two oldest daughters and the oldest son arc married ; the res( arc at home 

with their parents. Mr. Hawks his 1 a School Treasurer over twenty years, and was 

the first Supervisor elect id alter the organization of ('ran.: Cr ek Township ; lias served 
twelve years off and on, and was reelected last April. He owns 710 acres in the 
township. Ls a in id'ht of the Baptist Church. 

ADAM LIST, farmer and stock-raiser ; P.O. Easton; was horn in Bedford Co., 
Penn., dan. 27. 1835, and the following spring his parents moved to Tazewell Co., 111. 
Peoria, at that time, had no buildings except a few log cab ns. lie moved to M ison 
Co. in the spring; f 1861, and married Elizabeth Keil, of Tazewell Co.. Oct. 24, 1861 ; 
she was horn Peh. 2, 1839. Her father. Baltzor, and her mother, Catherine E. Keil, 
were boru in Germany. Her father died () t. 20, 1865; and her mother resides in Taze- 
well Co. Louis List an 1 Catharine | Cablet, parents of the subj -ct of ihU sketch, were 
also born in Germany; his father died in Octob r, 1847, near Peoria, and hi* mother 
still resides there. .Mr. and Mrs. Adam List have six children — Charl ss P., h >rn Aug. 
15, 1862; Julia E,, Oct. 2, 1864; Louis A., dan. 1. IStJT ; Ezra J., Oct 26, 1869 ; 
Catharine M., Nov. 2d, 1871 ; Matilda M. M., Aug 1."), 1875. He owns 310 acres, 
and a building lot in Mason City. 

GKOltGE S. McCLlNTICK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Easton; was born 
in Augusta Co., Va., Sept. 12, 1835; came with his parents to Tazewell Co., 111., in the 
spring of 1836. His father, Robert McClintick, and his mother, Mary (Arginbrisrht). 
were horn in Virginia; his father died in March. 1851. Mr. McClin ick married Mrs, 
Sarah Jane (Somers) Perdue, of Illinois, Nov. 8, 1 S5S. They have two boys living — 
Cyrus E., boru Oct. 4, IS.")!), and Milton S., born May 1(1, 1863. lie owns 2SD u.-res 
of land 

JAMES TURNER, farmer; P. 0. Easton; was born in Muhlcnburg Co., Ky., 
May 28, 184"), and came to Menard Co., III., in the fall of 1854. He married Martha 
A. Hall, of Mason Co., III., Oct. 29, 1875; her father, George W. Hail, wis born in 
Virginia, and her mother, Nancy M. (Short), was born in Menard Co. Berry Turner, 
father of the subject of 'his sketch, was born in Buckingham Co., Va., and his mother, 
Susanna (Strader), in North Carolina, Fell. 11. 1806, and resides in this township; 
Berry Turner moved with his family to Menard Co. in 1854 and is familiar with many 
of the earliest, s etlers of Menard and Ma,, on Cos., and now in their ripe old age reside 
in Crane Creek Township, surrounded by their children. Mr. and Mrs. James Turner 
have one little daughter — Silva Belle, born Oct. li, 1876. They own 141 acres of land 
in Crane Creek Township. 

WILLIAM C. TURNER, farmer and stook-raiser ; P.O. Eiston ; was born in 
Muhlenburg Co.. Ky., dan. 28, 1842 ; moved to Menard Co., 111., in the fall of 1854, 
and to Crane Crsek Township, in Mason Co., the same year. lie married Luna Jane 
Hawthorn Nov. 8, 1867 ; she was born in Allen's Grove Township, Mason Co., May 
20, 1851 ; her father. B snjamin Hawthorn, is one id' the early a sttl srs of this Q • i i'y ; 
they have had six children — Hugh A., Dora A., born Oct. Id, 1870. and died Jan. 
<i, 1871 ; Benjamin A , born Dec. 17. 1871; dam- A.. Dec. 25, 1873; Marcus D., 
Aug. 15, 1876, and died March 19, 1878; John W., born Sept. 20, 1878, and died 
Feb, 11, 187'J. They own 9U acres, and he is a Democrat. 



858 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



LYNCHBURC TOWNSHIP. 

WILLI \M UNSWORTH, former, Seo. 14; P.O. Chandlerville; was born in 
Blackburn, England, Jan. -■'•. 1824 when 1 I yean of age, he was apprenticed to the 
trade of silversmith and served three and a half years; Mr. Ainsworth, with his 
brothers, Thomas and Richard, came to America in 1842, reaching New Orleans in June 
of that year, and, early in July, landed at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they remained a 
few weeks; in the latter pan of August, they reached Beardstown, 111. and, in Novem 
ber following, located in Lynchburg Township, this county, near where he now resides. 
He- was married, June 22, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Pemberton, who was born in 

L Ion, England, Oct. 31, 1822; her t deatfa occurred Feb. 13, I860; ten children by 

this union, three of whom are living — John T., Sarah A. and Elizab tli A. wife of 
.1 .1. Ainsworth ; the deceased are William P., Henry \.. Eleanor, Melinda, Mary lv, 
Ellen and William II He was married to his present wife, Charlotte L Moorffoot, 
Oct. 7, I860; she was born in Greene Co., 111.. March 28, 1842; they have seven 
children living — Charlotte L., Charles W.. Eleanor, B asie, William lv. Victor and 
. one d Mary B. Mr. Ainsworth has Berved as Superintendent eight 

t< runs, Scl I Treasurer about ten years and Scl 1 Director several terms; he has been 

a member of the Fairview M. B. Church since an early date and has served the church 

and Sabbath Bchool in an official capacity more than twenty years. He owns 

of land in M I 7_'» acres in Champaign <'u. and 215 teres in Kankakee 

III. 

THOMAS AINSWORTH, retired farmer and residence Chandlerville, Ca 
(formerly resident of Lynchburg Township ; was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, 
England, in January, 1M l : he rami' to America in 1842 and located in Lynchburg, 
this county, in the fall of the same year, where he engaged in farming. He was mar- 
ried, dan 20, 1837, to Miss Maiia Abbott, who was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, 
England; ten children by this union, seven of whom are living— Nancy wife of A. 
Wait; resides in Decatur, III. . Alice wife of William Casey, resides in Centralis,, 111.), 
Sarah K wife of George Hanson, resides in Kilbourne Township, this county), William 
II. resides in Carrolton, I I. . Thomas T resides in Kilbourne Township , Joseph 

les in Lynchburg Township), Mary A. (lives at horn Ma bha d. deceased 
Mi Ainsworth owns 180 acres "l farmland and 1 i'u acres of timber land in Lynch- 
burg Township, this county, and 1,857 acres in Iroquois Co., 111. Hi- father's family 
came i" America in 1846 and settled in Lynchburg Township; his father, Thomas 
Ainsworth, died in 1855, and hi- mother, Sarah (Towuley Ainsworth, died in October 
id tlic same year. Mr. Ainsworth removed a lew years sinoi '■> Chandlerville ' 
Co., Ill . where he -till n • 

JOHN -I. FLETCHER, farmer, Sec 36 P Bath; wasborain Vorkshire, 
England, April 28, 1820; he came to America in the spring of 1844, and first located 
at Winchester, III; in the spring of 1848, he removed to Mason Co., and located in 
Lynchburg Township, which has Bince been bis home. Mr. Fletcher ha- sen 
Supervisor and Commissioner ol Navigation two terms each, and Justice of the P< 
over eight II' was married, Feb. 23, 1845, t" Mrs, Ann Briggs Kay . who 

was I 'in in Emily, Yorkshire, England, Feb. 23, 1806; she came t'> America in 1841, 
fii-t stopping at Illinois Town; they have one child James. Mrs. Fletcher, by her 
former husband, had ,-ix children Thomas K. (resides at Newport; Ore . I. uisa (wife 
of I'. B. Linsay, of Bath . Swain resides in Champaign <'<>.. 111.), Joseph win 
killed by the Indian- at Snake Creek, Ore. . Hockley II. and Oliver; all except the 
latter were born in England. Mr. Fletcher owns about one thousand acres of land in 
Lynchburg and Bath Townships, 

WILLIAM HOWARTH, farmer, Sec. 11: P. O. Chandlerville ; was born in 
Lancashire, England, April 1 I. l^.'i."». became t<i America with hi.- father, John W. 



LYNCHBURG TOWNSHIP. 859 

llowarth, and the Ainsworth family in 1842; his father made a claim to land, and, 
about one year after their arrival in Lynchburg Township, this county, they returned to 
England for the purpose of removing immediately with family to this country, but did 
not return till 1847, since which date they have been resid< nts of this township. Will- 
iam llowarth was married Aug. 4, 1855, to Mrs. Mahala Robbing Brotl I, who was 
born in Ohio. Mr. llowarth returned to his place of nativity in L867, on a visit, being 
absent about four months. He owns 393 aires of land in Lynchburg Township ; in 
January, I877,he bought an interest in the Sangamon Valley Mills at Chnndlerville, which 
have been operated since the above date under the firm name of Paddock, llowarth it 
Co. His father, John M. llowarth. was married, July 14, 1834, to Miss Alice Abbott; 
the former was horn in London, England, Dec. '.*, 1812. and the latter. Sept. 29, 1811 ; 
they had nine children, three of whom are living — William. Henry and Elizabeth 
McGhe ; the deceased are Emanuel, Jane, Amelia. John J.. Mary J. and Nancy. 

JOHN Gh KRAMER, farmer, See. 3 ; P.O.Bath; was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, May 1, 1838; his father's lamily emigrated to America in 1845, and located in 
Mason Co., 111., in the early spring of the following year. He was married, April 9, 
1863, to Miss Mary Ann C% Pentermann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, June 
11, 184:5; they have six children — Herman II, Herman L. Lizzie, Margaret C, 
Henry H„ Louisa M. and Mary J. Mr. Kramer owns 454 acres of land in Lynch- 
burg Township, and 180 acres in Bath. 

JOHN H. II. KRAMER, farmer, Sec. 14 ; P. O. Saidora; was horn in Han- 
over, Germany, Dec. 25, 1841 ; came to America with his father's family in 1845; 
they settled in Mason County in the spring of 184(i. He was married. March 12, 
IStii), to Miss Mary Jane Pentermann, who was horn in Hanover, Germany, Sept. 16, 
1847. They have six children, five of whom are living — Elizabeth, Margareta, Janie, 
Harman and Mary; Caroline died July 23, 1870. Mr. Kramer owns 320 acre- of 
farm land and I'M) acres of timber in Lynchbufg Township, Mason Co. 

JOHN KERSHAW, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Chandlerville ; was born in Lanca- 
shire, England, April 2. 1830; his father and elder brother came to America in 1839 , 
but both wne taken sick soon after their arrival, and died before the balance of the 
family — the subject of this sketch, his mother and one sister — arrived, in 1840. They 
settled in Cass Co., 111., and, about four years later, his mother died, leaving but two of 
the family remaining. Mr. Kershan found a home with Thomas Plaster until he 
reached his majority. He was married, April 4, 1851, to Miss Loraine Johnson, who 
was born in Tennessee March 27,1830; her father, John Johnson, settled in I 
Co., III., about 1835, and, some three years later, removed to Bath Township, Mason 
Co.; they have three children — Calvin, Cora (wile of Robert Hicks) and Samuel. Mr. 
Kershan served as Justice of the Deuce four years. Assessor, one year, and Commis- 
sioner of Highways two terms. He owns 280 acres of land in Lynchburg Township. 

JOSEPH II. LAYMAN, farmer, See. 22; P. O. Chandlerville; was born in 
Union Co., Ohio, March 25, 1838; in 1845, he came to Mason Co. with his father's 
family, locating in Lynchburg Township in October of that year. His father. David 
Layman, was horn in Virginia; died in 1854. His mother. Barbara Layman, was also 
a native of that State; her death occurred in 1876. He was married, May 17. 1865, 
to Miss Hannah Butler, who was horn in Lynchburg Township April 2 1. 1846; they 
have five children living— William L., Barbara E.. Isaac N., Mahala and Phebe L. ,; 
Charity died Aug. 12, 1876. Mr. Layman has served two term- as Supervisor, and is 
the present incumbent; Commissioner of Highways two terms, and School Director 
three terms; he owns an undivided one half of 480 acres of land in Lynchburg Town- 
ship. 

WILLIAM L. LAYMAN, former, See. 22; P. O. Chandlerville ; was horn in 
Union Co , Ohio. Feb. 1, 1840; his father- lamily removed to Illinois in tli • fall of 
1845, locating in Lynchburg Township, and in the same house where he bow resides; 
this dwelling, although only of the ordinary size, was, during these early times, fully 
occupied, being the home of live families during a part of one year. Mr. Layman was 
married, in 1805, to Miss Mary Warrender. who was born in Lincolnshire, England, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

July 31, 1850; her Either, Roherl Warrender, came to America in the fall of 1851. 
They have the Following children living: Barbara A., born Sept 12, 1866; Joseph U., 
D 28 1872, and Bessie B., July 5, 1876; Sarah E., May 13, 1868, died M 

M Layman has Berved as Collector thi C amissioner of High- 

two terms; he, with his brother Joseph II.. owns 180 acres of land in Lyn ; 
Township, this oounty; the former village of Lynchburg was located on this farm. 

MARK A. SMITH, dealer in grain, Soicarte; was born in Addison Co., Vt, 
11. 1811, where he resided till his removal to the West ; Sept 12, L839, he left 
bis native hills for the far-off West, and landed at Moscow, Mason Co., [11., on the 15th 
of the following month ; here he found log cal ins, hut i o supants, i xcepl two squir- 
rels sporting i n the roof of one ol the buildings. Mr. Smith left his family at the 
landing and went in search of anil found Mr. Nelson Abbey, who lived in what i- now 
Lynchburg Township, some distance from the landing. The condition of the country 
and the hardships of the se tiers at this early date, will be fully Bet P rth in the general 
history of the county and histories of the townships. Mr. S. has been a resident of 
this township for a period of forty years, and is now the only one remaining in Lynch- 
burg Township of those who Bottled there n early as 1839 or before, tie was tir-i 
married, in Vermont, Oct. 15, 1837, to Miss Eliza A. Wade, who was horn in Windham, 
that State, in September, 1807; bcr death occurred in March, 1870; by (his union 
were five children, four ol whom are living — Henry, \\ln> resides inSnicarte; 
Mrs. Sweney, at Jacksonville, III.; Irving, in Lynchburg Township, and Alert F., in 
Line,, In, III.; Maitha J. died iii 1839. lie was marrid, Sept. 16, 1871, to Mrs. 
Rebecca Warren (Ingram , who was born in Indiana ; she died Sept. 6, 1 S T_. lie wis 
iiniri d to his present wife, Mrs. Mary A. Butler | Richards), July 10, 1873; she was 
born in Ohio. Mr. Smith has served as Justice of the Peace one term ; his election 
took place about 1852; he has filled the office of School Treasurer f "< >r more than thirty 
ami is the present incumbent. Mr. S.. while he has to sonic extent been engaged 
in merchand sing, has also followed farming, and now owns ahum one thousan 
land in Lj Qchburg Township. 



SHERMAN TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN ii CONOVER, farmer; P.O. Biggs. As early is 1790, Peter Cono- 

vei, ,,t' Monmouth Co., moved with hi* family to W Iford Co., Kv.. where, in Decem- 

1812, the Bubject of thi> Bketch was born. The elder Conover w.i. the youngest 
<>t' five I rothcrs, and the four oldest were all Boldiera of the Revolution. In 1822, tho 
Conover family, with a large number <d' relatives and acquaintances, desirous of locating 
beyond the influence of Blavery, moved by wagons t" this State, the journ y occupying 
Mime months, and attended wiih hardships that would have deterred any but the stout- 
hearted The party reached Springfield in June, and. alter an examination id' tho 
country, eh< - the Jersey Prairie in what is now Morgan Co., as the Bite of their future 
borne Peter I ver and his wife remained in this locality until their death, which 
occurred to the first in M 335, and to the latter i i Ootober, 1846. John G. Con- 
was married, in 1833, to Miss Susan Houghton; she died in 1845, and ho 
was married, in 1846, to Mrs. Hannah Mitchell. He moved to this county in 
1841, and settled in the vicinity of Bath. In 1849, he crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia, and returned by way of the Isthmus in 1851. In the early days . 4' Morgan 
and Menard Cos., lie enjoyed the acquaintance of Lincoln i 1 Col, Hardin, the 

latter making his home, in bis youth, with the Conover family. Mr Conover settled 
upon the place he now occupies, on Sec. 31, in 1866, consisting of l'i<» acres, well 
improved', and worth about $30 p r acre Hi- business capacity and integrity have been 
nixed by the people of Sherman Township, and <m various occasions they hare 
chosen him Justice of the Peace, and. ft>r five years insu ir. 



SHERMAN TOWNSHIP. s »'»1 

J. IT. CUNNINGHAM, druggist, Eastern ; was born in 1844, in Louisiana; in 
1854, he came to Mason Co., Ill, and engaged in teaching Bchool a few years prior 
to 1874, when lie began in the drug business at Topeka, 111 ; in about six m mths 
he sold out and cam ■ to Easton, 111., where he engaged in the same business, in addi- 
tion to which he has added hardware, hooks and stationery; : he is having a good trade, 
and his honesty and uprightness, together with Ids work and the benevolent enterprises 
of his county, and interest in literature, which he prides himself in, will win him 
friends and prosperity. He was married, in L874, to Anna W'alktr. daughter of John 
Walker, a fanner of Havana Township. 

ISAAC W. DEPUE, farmer; P. < >. Easton : was horn in New Jersey in 1 S 47 ; in 
early life, he emigrated, with his parents, to 1\ nnsylvania, and from that Stat" to Illi- 
nois in 185:!, settling- on See. 23 of this township. He was married, in 1866, to Rebecca 
Jones, who died in 1878. He has two children —a sou nimed Uorydon, born in 1876, 
and a daughter named Lula, born in 1871. He is now serving the pe iple of the town- 
ship in the capacity of Justice of the Peace. He is proprietor of the Easton House, 
iu the village of Easton, and also cultivates his farm of 120 acres on Sec. 23, which is 
in a fair state of cultivation, and worth about $30 per acre. 

CHARLES W. HOUGHTON, physician and surgeon, EiSton ; was horn in Men- 
ard Co., in what is known as Rock Creek Precinct, in 1836, and came to this county in 
1854, and finished reading medicine with Dr. Mastick, with w ioin, afier finishing his 
medical course, he entered into partnership in the practice of medicine mar where the 
village of Kilbourne is located. This partner-hip continued until 1860, when it was 
dissolved, and Dr. Houghton moved to the town of Bath in this county. In August 
of the following year, he relinquished his lucrative and extending practice, an 1 rais d a 
company for the war, which was mustered into the service as Company 1). 85th I. V. I. 
He continued with the company as its commander through all the campaigns and battles 
in which it was engaged, until 1804, when he resigned his commission and returned to 
Bath and to his practice, which he continued fur live years ; he then moved to Ncwman- 
ville, Cass Co. On the completion of the I., B. & Vv. Railroad, he return d to Mason 
Co., in 1873, and took up his residence at the new vi lage of Easton, on that line, build- 
ing the fiist residence in the place; hero he has continued until the present time, and 
enjo\s an extensive practice. The Doctor was married, in 1856, t i Miss Mary F. 
Mitchell, a step daughter of J. G. Conover, one of the early and prominent pion sera of 
Illinois and of this coun'y. They have had two children — a Sun named Corry P., who 
died in 1870, age.l 17, and a daughter —Eva, horn in 1805. 

AMOS HEATER, farmer; P.O. Havana; is a son of Jacob Heater, of Penn- 
sylvania ; born in 1790, and died in 1863; was a farmer, and manic I E izabeth Gulden; 
she was born in 17!».'i, ami died in 1800. The Rubject id' this sketch was born in 1818, 
in Berks Co.. Pent). ; in 1842, he moved to Mason Co., III., and i nja-ed in farming For 
two years, and then worked on a steamboat on the Mississippi River lor one year, in 
1846, he was married to Rebecca Bailer, daughter of Philip Bailer; she was born in 
1827, in Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1845. After marriage, they rented for 
four years, and, by frugally saving their means, tog. ther with the Utile talent od .rut-) 
which they began with, they were then enabled to purchase a pieot of Ian I which now 
contains 200 acres; it was then raw prairie, but m»w has become one of fine quality, 
and of good imprOVi ment. Mr. Heater makes a specialty of raising bed- -plant-, and has 
on hand thousands of line quality ; they have had eleven children, the living are Augus- 
tus, Jennie, Ninnetta, Catharine, Jacob, Fannie, Penv, Adelbert : three are dead. Mr. 
H.ater has held offices of ('unstable and School Director and Treasurer lb- and wife 
are members of the M. E. Church, also all the family belong; he has also b.en Super- 
intendent of Sabbath schools and taught da 

JOHN LANDWER, farmer ; P.O. Biggs Station ; is a son of Harman Landwer 

and Mary (Spode) Lmdwcr ; he was of Germany, and died 1^:;.">: she was a daughter 
of John Spode of Hanover, Germany ; she died about L830; they- had ten children, 
three survive. The subject of this Bketch was hum Jan. 9, 1829, in Hanover, Germany. 
In 1849, he engaged in carp ntering in connection with fanning; he then came t.. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Illinois, and engaged in farming for I lenry Cramer, one year; be then rented of I> Strobe 
o< ar Blatanzas, For four yean; be then joined bit little resource thus gained with the 
improved talent 15c. which was his only treasure at hi> landing, and bought 
a ]i;irt of the prest nt farm of 700 acres, and baa made it one of beauty and tin • quality. 
Be was married, Aug. 18, 1864, to Catherine Bosch, daughter of Henry Busch, of 

. . r. Germany. She was one of five children, and was born Dec. 3, 1872. Their 
marriage blessed them with throe children, all living — Mary, married to K Keest, now 
living in Bath Township, Harmon, living at home, Anna, living at home. They are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

PETER MORGENSTERN, Farmer; P 0. Havana; is a son of Peter Morgen- 
Btern of Europe, who came to Pennsylvania in 1M7, and in 1850, t" Illinois; he died 
in l x 7^. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 15, 1828, "ii a Farm in Europe, 
ami came with bis father, as Btated; he remained at home until 1851, when he was 
inai ii. (1 to ( laroline Louvine, daughter of a noted Bhoemaker of ( lei man) ; si e was horn 
in 1831, and came to Illin<>i> in 1850. They settled on a Farm of 1 \" acres, in Sher- 
man Township, and remained there until 1865, when they moved to the present farm of 
160 acres, which they have improved and made one of value; thej have added to 
this until now they own 1,175 acres attained mostly by their own management He 
has held offices of schools, and is at present Director; he and wife belong to the 

Jit Church, in which he has held office of Class- Reader abd Superintendent of Sab- 
bath schools, and is now teacher of a Bible class in the same. Nine children were the 
Fruits of this happy marriage, living an — 'Caroline. Lucinda, Lassie, Emma, Anna. 
Sammy, Charlie. Henry, (infant dead . 

DANIEL MARTZ, farmer ; P.O.Topeka; is the oldest son of Abraham Marts, 
who waa a Bhoemaker by trade and died about 1856. The Bubject of this sketch 
born in 1811, in Pennsylvania; when 16, be began mining, and, at tin age of 24, he 
was s< lei ted as " boss" of the company. He opened Bevi ral important mine.-, in Penn- 
sylvania and was very successful in bis management, not even losing a single man under 
his orders ; he continued this business until 1861, when he came to Mason Co., 111. and 
settled on the present Farm of 120 acres, attained entirely by his own management. Ii 
i- probably worth $35 per acr He was married, in 1833, in Columbia Co . Penn., to 
Elisabeth Henninger, daughter of Frederick Henninger, of Pennsylvania; they had 
eleven children, five living, >ix dead . the living are Sarah. Lavina has taught school 
and married John Allen, of Fulton Co.; is now living in [pava; is a druggist . Emma 
II. married I!. I! Leonard, of Mason t '■ Ellen) Charles livim: in Topek 

-W TROUT, farmer ; P.O.Topeka; is a daughter of Elias Musselman, of 
Pennsylvania; he was ■ farmer and earn- to Ulinois about 1847 and died ii 1859; her 
mother's maiden nam.- was Messinger, of Pennsylvania; Bhe dud in l^iii . they were 
both members of the Lutheran Church of Pennsylvania, and had a family of ten chil- 
dren, four ol whom survive. The subject of this sketch was horn Jan. 2, 1820, in 
Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1 ^ IT. In 1849, was married to William Trout, 
son of Georgi Trout, of Pennsylvania; alter marriage, they settled near Havana until 
1861, when they moved to Forest City Township < t In n Muson Plains.; one year after 
ward moved to the prevent fiirm of 280 acres, attained entirely by their own labor and 
management . Mr. Trout died Aug. 31, 1873 he was a member of the Lutheran 
Church of Erie Co., Penn; they had five children- G be married Carrie Mor- 

Mason t . daughter of PeteT Morgenstern whose sketch appears else- 
where . Israel, Aaron; and two are dead — William and all infant 



ERRATA. 

i »n page 203, i: itmaeter in Salem, should be John MeNamar, 

tir-t Postmaster, "!i i by Abraham Lincoln, who retained the office until he 
removed to Springfield. 

(in | i of "The V established "itli C. Ulay as editor 

and publish by ll. I. < lay, who h Clay. 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY 



Ivl IE UST ^ IR, ID COUNTY. 



PETERSBURG. 

Albers, H. B., Dealer in and Manu- 
facturer of Boots and Shoes. A fine 
assortment of Ladies' and Misses' Shoes 
' in all sizes on hand ; also Boots and 
Shoes of his own Manufacture, for Men 
and Boys. The only exclusive Boot 
and Shoe House in Menard County. 

An 1 le, F. P., Dr., Physician and Sur- 
geon. 

Bale & Co., Manufacturers and Deal- 
ers in Drain Tiles oi every description. 
Office at Woolen Factory. 

Bale, F. V., Proprietor of the Salem 
Flouring- Mill, which is now in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

Bale, Hardin & Son, Manufactur- 
ers and Dealers in Cloths, Cassiincres, 
Doeskins. Satinets. Jeans. Tweeds. 
Flannels. Blankets, Fancy and Plain 
Stocking Yarn, etc., etc., West street, 
one-halt mile south of Court House. 

Bishop, Robert, Manufacturer and 
Importer of Guns, Pistols. Rifles, 
Bowie- Knives and Sporting Apparatus 
in all its branches. All kinds of repair- 
ing done at the shortest notice. Smith 
side Square. 

Blane, S. H., Attorney at Law and 
Notary Public. Office on north side 
Square. 

Bone, D. M., Dealer in Furniture. 
Wall Paper. Coffins and Caskets. 



Bowen, J. H., Dealers in Staple and 
Fancy Groceries, Glassware, Queens- 
ware, Wood and Willow Ware, Red 
Front, west side Square. 

Brahm, Lanning & Wright, 

Dry Goods Dealers. 

Brahm & Greene, Hankers. 
Branson, N. W., Hon., Attorney at 

Law. 

Cain & Parks, Editors of the Peters- 
burg Observer and Job Printers. 

Clark, N. & L. B., Proprietors of the 
Clark House, formerly the Khno. north- 
east corner Square. First-class accom- 
modations. 

Cook, J. W., Practicing Physician and 
Surgeon. 

Deerwester, S., Wagon and Carriage 
Manufacturing, Blacksmithing, and Gen- 
eral Job Work. 

Elliott, C. E., Practicing Physician. 

Frackelton, D. S., Banker. Collec- 
tions made and promptly remitted. 

Hatfield, C. L., Dealer in Lumber, 
Sash. Doors, Blinds, Stucco, Lime, Hair, 
Cement, etc., etc. 

Hofiug, J.. Proprietor oi' the Menard 
Hotel. First-class accommodations 
Fine Sample Room on ground floor. 

Jobnson, Breese, Attori 
Office on north Bide Square. 
Knole?, T. S., Attorn y 



B64 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



Masters, Hardin W., Attorney at 
Law and 81 li< itor in Chancery ; State's 
Attorney for Menard ( lounty. 

Mick & Knoles, Proprielora and 
Editors <>(' the Petersburg Democrat. 
Job Work dt >in" on short notioe ami at 

loir rah-. 

Morris, E. M., Wagon Manufacturer; 
also Blacksmith ing and General Job 
Work. North Main street. 

Masters & Rankin, Dealersin Lum- 
ber, Lime, L*tb, D< ors, Sash, Blinds, 

Hair. StUO 0, Cl m tC < office 

and Vai'l. corner Main an i ( Iherry, 
Montgomery, B. F., Stock Dealer 

McNeely, T. W., Hon., Attorney 

ai I.i'.v. 

McDougall & Stith, Dealera in 
Staple and Fancy Groceries, Glassware, 
nsware, Woodenware, Teas 

j, S I eta, etc. 

Morris, D. T., Manufacturer of and 
Dealer in Flarnrss, Saddles, Collars, 
Bridles, Whip-. Combs, Brushes 
also Wholesale Dealer in 
Coll 

Newcomer, J. W., Practicing Phy- 
sician. 

Rainey, P., Miller and Grain Dealer. 

Richter, J. F., [mporter and l 
in Italian and American Marbli 

h and American Granite Monu- 
ment I red to turn out as fine 
work aa any in Central [Uinoia Shop 
and Yard near northeast corner of 
Square. 

Stewart & Truckenmiller, D I 
era in Pure Di M lit in< s, Perfum- 

1 Fancy \ Choice 

Wim - and I. mi dii inal use, 

ami all Diu : Fine 

Imported and Dom I Phy- 

sicians' Prescriptions carcfull) prepared, 
side Square. 



Stoker, A. W., Foundry, General 
Machine Shop and Job W"rk. 

Shephard & Rutledge, Livery and 
Feed Stable First-class Rigs at r 

able rat 

Stevens, R. N., Attorney at Law and 
Master in ( lhancery. 

Whi*e, William M., Contractor and 
Builder. 

Wariug, W. C, Dry Goods, Clothing, 
Hats, Cape, Boots, Shoes, < !arpi 
Cloths, Trunks and Valises, also Gro- 
' rlasB and Queensware, Wood 
and Willow Ware. 

Young, Arthur, Justice of the 
P 'ami Insurance Agent, Represent 
ing the Royal Ensuranoe Company of 
Liverpool, England. 

TALLULA. 

Bell Bros., Dealers in Drj I 
Boots and Sh( i ies, Provisions, 

Queensware, etc., • 

'. inkel, J. A., Manumcturen and 
Dealer in Forniture and Undertaking, 

also Wall l\i]» r. 

Metcalf, E. T., Dr., Practicing Phy- 
sieian. 

Robertson, C. M., Dr., Phj 
and Surgi on. 

Spears, J. Q,.,M< reliant ami Grain 
Dealer. 

Sa dford, G. H, Dr., Physician and 

Sui _ 

Thrapp, F. S., Dealer in Drugs, Med 
ieines an 1 Chemicals, Pi rfumery, Snaps, 
tba and Brushi -. Support- 

en, Braces and Toilet Articles, l!>»'ks, 
Station* ry, etc 

Thncher, C. B., Capt., Justice of 
the Peace. 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



865 



Thrapp, R. B., Proprietor of the Tal- 
lula Nursery. Complete assortment of 
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees, 
Evergreens, Roses, etc., etc., with a fine 
assortment of Small Fruit. 

Wathen, J. F., Dealer in Dry Goods, 
Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Hats, Caps and 
Fancy Goods, also Groceries, Provisions, 
Queensware, Glassware and Confection- 
eries. 

Wathen Hotel, J- F. Wathen, Pro- 
prietor. New house, newly furnished ; 
First class accommodations expressly for 
transient trade. 

ATHENS. 

Clark, C, Manufacturer of Brick and 
Tiling. Large quantity of the best 
quality constantly on hand. All sizes 
of Tile from 3 to 7 inch. 

Hurt, J. A., Capt., Proprietor Hotel 
and Hoarding-house. 

Hargrave, M. T., M. D., Dealer in 

Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Books, 
Stationery, etc., etc.; Pure Liquors for 
medical use ; also Paints, Oils, Perfum- 
eries, Toilet Soaps, Hair Oils, Combs, 
etc., etc. 

Hall, C, General Merchant. 

Kinhart, J., Manufacturer of Wagons, 
Carriages and General Job Work ; also 
Blacksmithing in its various branches; 
also Dealer in Agricultural Implements. 

Primm, T. J., Dr., Physician and 
Surgeon. 

Rob rts, William F., Dr., Dealer 

in Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Paints, 

Oils, Varnishes, Window Glass, Putty, 
Books and Stationery, Wall Paper, 



Window Curtains, Pure Wines and 
Liquors for medical uses. 

Thomas, E.D., Dr., Practicing Phy- 
sician. 

CREENVIEW. 

Alkire, J. D., Banker. 
EDgle, M. M., Merchant. 
Foster, J. T , Merchant. 

Hughes, Daniel T., Druggist and 
Apothecary. Prescriptions carefully pre- 
pared Also Justice of the Peace. 

Hurst, Stith J., Physician. 

Marbold, H. H., Banker and Dealer 
in Live Stock. 

Petrie, John A., Dealer in Hardware, 
Grain and Farm Implements. 

Petrie & Co., Dealers in Stoves, Tin- 
ware. Agricultural Implements, and 
Grain. 

Petrie, David A., Dealer in Lum- 
ber; also Contractor and Builder. 

Paulson, O. P., Livery, Feed and Sale 

Stable. 
Rule, H. K., Merchant, and Dealer in 

Groceries, Dry Goods, etc. 

SWEETWATER. 

Alkirf, D. H., Merchant. 
Deal, George T., Dealer in Live 
Stock. 

Deal, John H., Miller. 
Lee, John D., Physician. 
Propst, Levi, Carpenter and Joiner. 
Sharp, Adam, -Maker of and Dealer 

in Hunts and S 
Schofield, Joseph, Merchant. 



MASON COUNTY. 



HAVANA. 

Bivens, Samuel, Treasurer of Mason [ 
County. 

Conwell, S. C, Attorney and Coun- 
selor at Law. Particular attention to 
n Collections, ravin:: Taxes, and 
Buying and Selling Real Estate. Office 
second story, front room, over Krohauui 
A Bliddlekamp's Btore. 

Coppel, J. F., Fire [nsurance Agent, 
Attorney ami Notary Public Repre- 
the following r< liable Fire [nsurance 
Companies: Borne, New Fork; 1 1 art - 
ford of Hartford, Conn. ; -Etna, Bart- 
ford ; Phoenix, Hartford; North Brit- 
ish ami Mercantile, London, England, 
ami American Central, St. Louis, Mo. 

Covington, M. E., N- IT slain >t.. 

Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, 

Toilet aii«l Fancy Artie' 

Brushes, Perfumery, Patent Medicines, 

Alcohol, Pure Wines ami Liqut i 

medicinal use Physicians' Proscriptions 

carefully compounded. 
Craig, G. W., Manufacturer of ami 

Dealer in Cigars ami Tobacco, Smokers' 

Arti< les, el .. !".• Main stn 
D.hm, J., & Bro., Dealersin Grocer- 

rware, 
den ami Willow Ware. etc.. corner 

Main and ( > 

Dearborn & Campbell, Attorneys. 
Debin & Mack, Proprietors of the 

I lavana lip " 

Delbarre, H., Rev., Pastor ol - 
Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. 

Dieflenbacher, P. L., M. D , i 
B Pension Surgeon for Mason County 



Office No. I"> South Orange street. 
Special attention given to Surgery. 
Office hours from 1 to 3 P. M. Calls 
fur visits .-lniuld be 1 « - 1 1 before !' o'clock 
A. M 

Drny, Walter S., Loans ami Dis- 
counts 

Easton, O. C Postmaster. 

Emerson, George S., Preighl ami 
Ticket Agent Peoria, Pekin & Jackson 
rille 11. i; 

England, I. W., Dealer in Choice 
Candies, Tropical ami Native Fruits, 
table Produce, eta 

Fallerton & Wallace, Atton 
ami Counselors at Law, and Solicitors 
in Chancery. 

Haack, L. R., Dealer in Wall Taper, 
Window <ila>s. Window Shades, I'ur- 
tains. Fixtures ami Wood Moldings. 
Painting anil Papering done on rcasi li- 
able terms ami in a workmanlike man- 
ner. 

Har sell, Josiah, Sheriff of M 
( lounty. 

Harpham & Browning, Dealers 
in Drugs, Medicines, Chemicals, Oils, 
Varnishes, Glass, Taints. Putty, ami 
Patent Medi i 

Havighorst, Henry, Dealer in 
Hardware and Cutlery. Sole Agent for 
8 mmons 1 " E£een Mutter Axes Main 

Heiniger, Johannes, Rev., Pas 
tor "l' tin' St. Paul's Evangelical 
Lutheran Church ; also Teacher of 

( iciinan ami English. 



Ill 8INES8 DIRECTORY. 



867 



Heinrich, J. W., Manager for the 
Singer Manufacturing Company for the 
Counties of Mason and Fulton. All 
orders promptly attended to. Attach- 
ments furnished on short notice, and 
repairing of the Singer Sewing Machine 
a Specialty. Office at Whittaker's Book 
Store. 

Holzgrsefe, G. H., Billiard and Sam- 
ple Boom, Wholesale and Betail Dealer 
in Choice AVines, Liquors, etc., etc., 12 
Plum street. 

Hurley, John, & Sons, Dealers in 

all kinds of river Fish. Market at 
Havana and two miles . northeast of 
Havana. All orders promptly filled 
during the season, from October to 
May. 

Joyce, E. M., & CO., Dealers in Sta- 
ple and Fancy Groceries, Crockery, 
Queensware, Glassware, Wood and Wil- 
low Ware, Cigars and Tobacco, Main 
street. 

Karl, George, Proprietor of the Tay- 
lor House Saloon, 25 Main street. 

Kirk, J. S., Police Magistrate and 
General Insurance Agent. 

Krebaum, C. G., Dealer in Grain, 
Live Stock, Hides, Furs and Rags, 
Buys Grain and Live Stock at all Sta- 
tions on P., P. & J. B. B. between 
Chandlerville and Pekin, and on [., B. 
& W. road at all Stations west of Mason 
City. Call and see me before selling. 
Office No. 8 South Plum street. 

Krebaum, A., Dealer in Heal Estate. 

Lacey, Lyman, Hon., Circuit and 

Appellate Judge. 
Langford, George W., Salesman 

for 
Browning, W. C.,& Co., Manufac- 
turers and Jobbers of Men's. Youths' 
and Boys' Clothing, 502 and 504 
Broadway, New York. 



Low, T. F., Teller Havana National 
Bank, No. 2,242, organized Feb. 1">, 
187;V 

LOW & Poster, Shipping and Com- 
mission Merchants. Mason County Corn 
a specialty. 

McFadden & Co., established 

1861) Grain. Mason County Corn a 
specialty. 

Mallory, J. A., Hon., Judge of 

Mason County Court. 

Mason County Bank. Organized 

in 1865. McFadden & Coppcl, Bank- 
ers. Transacts a General Banking Bus- 
iness. Special attention given to Col- 
lections in this and adjoining counties. 
Befer to Ninth National Bank, New 
York ; Fifth National Bank. Chicago ; 
Lucas Bank. St. Louis: Second National 
Bank. Peoria. 

Mason County Democrat. Offi- 
cial paper of Mason County. Estab- 
lished in 1849. Circulation 1,000. Pub- 
lished weekly. Subscription S-. or $ 1 .50 
if paid in advance. Mounts & Mur- 
dock. Publishers. 

Mason County Republican. 

Published Friday of each week. Terms, 
.$1.5(1 per annum, in advance." F. 
Ketcham, Editor; C. B. Ketoham, Pro- 
prietor. 

Mitchell, Isaac N., General Fire 
and Life Insurance. Heal Estate, Loan, 
Pension and Collection Agency, No. 51 
Main street. Represents tile following 
reliable Insurance Companies: Insur- 
ance Company of North America, Phil- 
adelphia; Cnderwriters", New York ; 
Connecticut. Hartford; Continental. 
New York ; Springfield Fire ami 
Marine, Massachusetts . I'lietiix. l>r..,,k- 
lyn ; German, Peoria, 111.; German 
American, New Fork; Manhattan, New 
Fork; Royal of Liverpool, England, 
Western Assurance Company, Toronto: 



868 



BUSINESS I'lKl 



ming, Pennsylvania ; [mperial and 
Northern. London, England, and Fire- 
man's Pond, California. Total Abe 
of the above Fire Companies ov< 
000,000. Mutual Life [nsurance Com- 
pany of Nen York. Assets over $87,- 
000,000 . Travelers life and Accident 
[nsnranoe ' lompany of Hartford, Ass 
500,000. Total Assets of the ibove 
opaniea over 1160 000,000. 
Morgan, William B., Proprietor of 

the Taylor Bouse. 
Morgan, W. B., Proprietor of the 

Taylor House. 

Murdock, S. A., Attorney and Coun- 

at Law. 

Newlin, James C, Constable. 
Nortrup, H. R., Attorney at Law. 
Parkins, G. W., Physician and Sur- 

Main street. 
Paul, J. B., Physician and Surgeon, 

101 .Main Btreet 
Pipkin & Cunningham, Manu- 
noturen of Farm and Spring Wagons, 
ami General Jobbing. 
Pitman, John W., Attorney and 
Counselor a1 Law, north Bide Main st. 
Prottzmen, J., Justice of the P 
Plum Btreel I 1 "':> ,lr 

and acknowledged and Collections made 
promptly, and strict attention paid to all 
business appertaining to his office. Also 
ht for Real Bsl 
Rhodes, John W., Dealer in all 

kinds of Standard Farm Machinery. 
Sarff, J. W., Wholesale Dealer and 

Grower of 1 1 ts. 

Schill. A. & W., Butchers and I 
en in Fresh, Salt* d and Smoked 
Cash paid for 1 1 i<l N 13 Main >t. 
Schill, Charles, Dealer ii 3 

Tinware, i 5 Main - 

Schwenk, Leonard, Circuii Clerk 
of Mason County. 



Seibert, George, Rev., Pastor of 
tin Reformed Church in Ameri 

Shermeyer, H. H., tt Main stn 
Manufacturer of and Dealer in Barness 
C lars, Bridles, Whips, Hah 
-. Curry-combs, > : Re] aii ing done 
.r 1\ and cheaply. Ml work war- 
ranted. < live me a o ill. Also Dealer 
in Uncle Sam's Barni bb ' hi. 

Siebenaler, N., Manufacturer of Fine 
ars; also Wholesale and Retail 
Dealer in Tobacco and Snuff, No. 58 
Main Btreet All orders promptly 
attended to. 
Stephenson & Wahlfeld, Healers 
in Groceries and Provisions, Hardware 
and Tin warr. Plum Btn 
Stevens, C, Dr., Dentist 
Strickle, J. F., Dealer in Staple and 
Fancy Dry Goods, Bats, Caps, I 
and Shoos, etc. 
Smith, James P., I ; nd Tran- 

ter Express. Prompt attention given 
to the transfer of • • and bag- 

gage. 
Taylor, J. H., Dealer in Clothing and 
Furnishin 23 Main Btreet. 

Thorp, O. B., Dealer in Hard 
Guns, Pistols, Ammunition, Sporting 

G Is, Fishing Tackle, etc. B 

and Muzzle Loading Guns mad.' to 
order. Repairing done at reasonable 

rates, and all work Warrant 

Vanlaningham, M., Proprietor liv- 
en Feed and Exchange Stable, corner 
Plum and Bridge streets. 

Valentine, H., Wholesale Healer in 
and Grow* r of Bedge Plants. 

Whitaker, S., B oka i Stationer 
and Healer in Wall Paper, Lat it News- 
papers and Periodicals, Toys, Fancy 
Goods anl Children's Carriages. All 
kinds of Moldings, Picture Frami 
order. Corner of Main and Plum sti 



BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 



8fiP 



Wiener, A. E., Dealer in Dry Goods, 
Clothing, Boots and Shoes, Carpetings, 
Curtains and Trimmings, Trunks, 
Valises, Carpet-sacks, etc., etc., new 
Masonic Hall Building. 

Woll, William, Dealer in Groceries 
and Provisions, 26 Main street. 

Wright, O. H. & H. A., Attorneys 
at Law and Solicitors in Chancery, Real 
Estate and Loan Agents. 

MASON CITY. 

Ambrose & Sons, Dealers in Maid- 
ware, Cutlery. Stoves, etc. 

Badger, S. M., County Superintendent 
of School-. 

Cargill & Swing, General Merchan- 
dise. Dealers in Dry (ioods, Clothing, 
Boots and Shoos. Notions, Groceries 
and Provisions, cte.. etc., etc. 

Cook, F. H., Retail Grocer and Dealer 
in Queensware, Glassware, Lamps, Wood- 
enwarc. Cutlery, etc. 

Earl, James F., Dealer in Dry Goods, 
Carpets, Boots and Shoes. Hats and 
Caps, Notions, etc-., etc., etc., Chestnut 
street. 

Fagan,T. J., Dealer in Wines, Liquors 
and Cigars. Proprietor of Bank Sam- 
ple and Billiard Room. Chestnut street. 

First National Bank of Mason 
City, 01. A. A. Blunt. President; 
John Van Horn. Vice President ; Otho 
S. King, Cashier. A General Banking 

Busioi ss done. 

Hudson, J. P., Justice of the Peace. 

Hulshizer, JollD, Proprietor of Hul- 
shizer's Billiard and Sample Room, and 
Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars, etc. 
Entrance on Chestnut and Tonica Bts. 

Ironmonger & Tebbetts, Proprie- 
tors of Mason City Mills, and Dealers 
in Grain, Flour, Feed, etc., etc. etc. 
Merchants' milling promptly attended to. 



Lewin, H. T., Healer in Staple and 
Fancy Groceries, Provisions, etc., cor- 
ner of Tonica and Chestnut streets. 
Dealer in Farm Produce. 

McDowell, J. B., Physician and Sur- 
geon. 

Mason City Independent, 
Haughev & Warnock, Proprietors. The 
Independent is published every Friday 
at SI. 50 per year, and is now in the 
thirteenth volume. Office, No 16 
Chestnut street, between Main and 
Tonica. 

Mehan, T. N., Counselor and Attor- 
ney at Law. District State's Attorney. 

Naylor BrOS., Dealers in Staple and 
Fancy Groceries. Confectionery, Tobac- 
cos. Cigars, etc. 

Onstot, R. J., Proprietor Post Office 
Book Store. Books, Stationery, Wall 
Paper, Notions, Pianos, Organs, Sewing 
Machines, etc. 

ReiSmger & Dietrich, Brick Man- 
ufacturers, Ice Dealers and Butchers. 

Randolph, Charles E., Wholesale 

and Betail Dealer in Groceries, Queens- 
ware. Cigars. Candies. Nuts, etc. 

Smith, F. N., & CO., Hankers. 
Receive Deposits subject to call ; Buy 
and Sell Foreign and Domestic Ex- 
change, Government, County. Town 
and School Bonds; make Collection-; on 
all accessible points, with prompt returns 
at current rates; Discount Notes and 
Commercial Paper ; Make Loans upon 
Real Estate Securities for a term of one 
to live years. References : Chast 
National Bank, New York ; .Merchants' 
National Bank, Chicago; St Louis 
National Bank, St. Louis, Mo. 

Thompson, W. F., Furniture and 
Undertaking, No. 11 Chestnut street. 

Walker, J. A., Physician and Sur- 



870 



BU6INE8S l'M:i 



Wandell, J. H., Proprietor of th 
Nicholas [Intel and Livery Stable. 
Large Bample Room for CommeroiaJ 
Travelers. 

BATH. 

Allen, J. S., Dealer in Staple and 
Fancy Groceri sware, Crockery, 

etc. Also Proprietor of the Restaurant 
■ Be door east of ' rrocery St 

Barr, Daniel W., Proprietor of the 
Central House. Dealer in Horses and 
Mult - r of Horsi 

I [on S ialtj Liverj in i 

t ion with the Hotel. 

Cameron & Fletcher, Proprietora 
of Math Flouring Mills. Dealers in 
Grain, Flour, F< i d, Bran, Shorts, etc. 
Queen i f Mason brand of Flour a 
S ecialty. < triers pn mptly filled. 

Harmison, D. C, M. D., Physician 

and Surg i, and I toaler in I 

cines, Chemicals, etc. Physicians' 
Prescriptions carefully compounded. 

Hebe r ling:, Warren, Dealer in 
< train ea and I lard ware, Queens- 

•rare, Agricultural [mplements, Salt, 
Lime and Cement. 

Horstman Bros., Dealers in Dry 
Goods, Clothing, Hats, Caps. Boots, 
Shoes, and Notions. 

Horstman & Co., Commission and 

' i rain. 

Low & Fo.-ter, Shipping and Com- 
mission Ml i' I.:. hi-. Main office, Havana. 

111. Mason County Corn a Specialty. 
Middelkamp, H., Undertaker ami 
Dealer in Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Sash, 
Doors, Blinds, Household Furniture and 
I odertakers' ' (cods, 

Schaaf, A., Dealer in G 
Dsware, 1 1 
'I inware and Sail. 

Turner, W. W M Proprietor of Billiard 

Hall. 



Turner, W. W., & Co., Deafen in 
Agricultural [mplements and Farm 

Tools <>\' all kind- Repair- furnished. 

Whelpley, J. C, Dealer iu Groi 

ami Family Supplies. Goods sold at 
Lowest Prices for Cash Highest Price 

I 'aid for Produce. 

KILBOURNE. 

Bigelow, E. H., Grain Merchant. 
Davis, French, Manufacturer nf'Sor- 

L'liuin MolaSteS OH Shares ,,r hv the 

Gallon. 

Feild, A. E., Groceries ami Provisions, 
Tinware. Notions, 

Low & Foster, Shipping and Com- 
mission Merchants. Main office, Havana. 
111. Mason County Corn a Specialty. 

Root, J. W., M. D., Physician and 

Surgeon. Treatment .it Piles a Spe- 
cialty, without the aid of Knife, C. tu- 
ne ( ,r Ligature. Cure Guaranteed. 

Routt, J. W. & Brother, Black- 
smiths and Wagon-makers. N\ 

and Sleighs made, and all kind- of 

Repairing to order ami satisfactorily. 

Ruggles & Field, Dealers in I»: 
Medicines, Chemicals, Fancy Toilet 
Articles, Trusses and Shoulder Bi 

- and < iard. n S. I d- . Pure Wines 

and Liquors for medicinal pur] 
Paints, Oils, Varnishes and Dye Stuffb, 

-. Putt) . Car! eu ( >il. Lamps and 

China I riptions 

com] ounded. Wao Dealers 
in Hardware. 

MANITO. 

Eakin, R. S., N"';" v Public and Jus 
tire of tie' !'■ Collecting Agem 

Lumber, I ah, Brick, 

Lime, Cement, I Main Tile ami ( Shimnejs. 

Heckman, George, Blackamith ami 
( Sarriaire-maker. 



BUSINESS DTRF.CTOKY 



871 



Rosher, E. A., Dealer in Dry Goods, 
Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Hats and Caps. 
Interest on all accounts after sixty days. 

Sauter, Richard, Manufacturer of 
and Dealer in all kinds and grades of 
the Best Boots and Shoes, Rubbers, 
Arctic Overshoes, etc., for Men, Women 
and Cbildren. 

Schoeneman, P., Dealer'in Saddles, 
Harness, Bridles, Collars, Whips, Blan- 
kets, etc. 

ShaDholtZOr, J. N., Proprietor Lib- 
erty Mills. Manufactures and keeps in 
Stock the Best Family Flour, Meal, 
etc., which is sold cheaper than at any 
other place. 

EASTON. 

Cunningham, J. H., Dealer in Pure 
Drugs and Hardware ; Books, Station- 
ery ; Paints, Oils, Brushes and Fancy 
Goods of all kinds, at prices below 
Competition. 

LOW & Foster, Shipping and Com- 
mission Merchants. Main office, Havana, 
111. Mason County Corn a Specialty. 

Terrel, E. D., Postmaster and Dealer 
in Dry Goods and Groceries. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

AdkinS, J. C, Dealer in Dry Goods, 
Groceries, Notions. Boots, Shoes, Hard- 
ware. Cigars, Tobacco, etc., etc. Cash 
paid fi>r Grain. Saidora. 

Ashurst, John L., Manufacturer of 
the Blunt Succor Drill. This Drill has 
been manufactured only to a limited 



extent, mainly since 1873, when he was 
first associated with Mr. Blunt. Since 
1874, Mr. Ashurst has conducted the 
manufacturing alone, and has made and 
sold about one hundred of these Drills 
this season. The demand has been far 
in excess of the supply, and it is Mr. 
Ashurst's intention to increase his facil- 
ities for manufacturing so that the 
demand for the coming season can be 
met for this Drill, which is surpassed 
by none in the market. Section 36, 
Town 20, Range 9, Bath Township. 
P. 0. Kilboume, 111. 

Bell, Theodore, Dealer in Drugs, 
Medicines and Hardware, Topeka. 

Downey, J. W., M. D., Physician 
and Surgeon, Topeka, 111. Office over 
Martz's Store. 

Jacobs, A., & Co., Manufacturers of 
and Dealers in Agrieultural Implements, 
Wagons, Buggies, Carriages, etc., San 
Jose, 111. 

LOW & Foster, Bishop's Station. 
Shipping and Commission Merchants. 
Main office, Havana, 111. Mason County 
Corn a Specialty. 

Neuman & Knapp, Dealers in Dry 
< roi ids, Groceries, Boots, Shoes, Cloth- 
ing, etc., San Jose. 

Paddock, Howarth & Co., Pro- 
prietors of the Sangamon Valley Mills. 
Chandlerville, 111. Dealers in Flour 
and Feed. 

Smith, Mark A., Dealer in Grain, 
Snicarte, 111. 



POPULATION OF MENARD COUNTY BY Townships. 






g 

H 


se 






L248 





TOWNSHIJ'S. 



Townsliip is. It. ". W 

Township 19, R. 5 W 

Swv. t N :ilcr 

Township 17. K. 6 W L172 1059 

Athena 861 818 

Township 18, R. 6 w liiTl 1184 

Township 19, EL 8 W L289 1062 

Mvicw g78 :;l 1 

Township 17, It. 7 u 

Township 18, K. 7 W 2821 

1792 1 166 

Township 19, K. 7 « 941 797 

Township 17, R. 8 W 472 102 

Talluls 889 289 

Township 18, K. B w 477 117 

Township 19, I; 8 W 426 



d 

■j. 

- 
116 


- 
_ 

1243 
1172 
1270 

28 1 l 
1787 
941 
472 
839 
477 
126 


— 

o 
z 


w 

791 
1186 


7 
: 

1 


IT-". 












118 




'.'.".1 

1177 
841 






1 
1 




B7 

1^7 


" 


u-1 








7 
6 


2018 
L196 
962 




■111 


8 


144 




70 




60 






so 



















POPULATION OF MASON COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS. 



Allen's Grove Ufl I 

Bath 2124 

•ii .}. | 

Crane Ci >■• k '.... 1068 

i 

1 1 .-i. vii ii i 17s.", 

Ljnchbnrg 



Manito : 

City 

Mason City 1616 

Mason Plains.. 

• lvmiiu 

Quiver 

i.-ek 1102 

Bhennan 



1027 


172 


1802 


822 






1020 


18 






1 166 




B92 


112 


1088 






l : 




1 l .. 


1637 


78 




L61 










1044 















E 
o 


2124 
164 








1070 




618 




1782 


:: 20 7- 


1 




























1616 























1 1 < Hi 

















OCT6-1949 





















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